Trend alert: purple is the new black?

Many of you may have already heard that Pantone’s color of the year for 2018 is a vibrant shade of purple called Ultra Violet.  According to these color experts, this shade was chosen because “… It communicates originality, ingenuity, and the visionary thinking we are seeking to create a meaningful direction for our future. Complex and contemplative, this creative, reflective and magical blue-based purple suggests the mysteries of the cosmos and the intrigue of what lies ahead in a time that requires inventiveness and imagination.”  Wow…that is deep and a bit confusing.  While I was a lover of Prince and his music, I am not a particular fan of purple but I do have clients who are and over the years we have paired various shades of purple with pinks and grays and greens and golds, all for a very pulled together and attractive look.

But what is confusing about all of these color trends is that, while Pantone says we are contemplative and reflective, Benjamin Moore went the complete opposite of contemplative and serene and chose Caliente Red as their color of the year.  Now this is more my style!  They chose it for its strong and attention grabbing qualities.  After all, few things are as inviting or provide as much curb appeal as a red front door.

And yet another opposite, Sherwin Williams selected Oceanside blue as their color of the year stating “…it offers a sense of the familiar with a hint of the unknown..”  Whaaaaat?  Another deep and thought provoking statement on why a color is chosen that does not really resonate with this designer.  Oh well….for those of you who are lovers of all shades blue and all things ocean, this is probably your color.  And, surprisingly, it can even be paired with the other two colors of the year depending on your overall color and design scheme.  Here you see it paired with vibrant green and yellow for a fun and energetic office look.  Add a touch of caliente red in a lumbar pillow and you are right on trend!

What all of this really means is that any color you select will work and who really cares if it is on trend or not.  But these color ideas do open your eyes to something a bit different for you that you may not have thought of before.  Regardless, you will have no trouble finding accessories, rugs, artwork and upholstery fabric featuring one or all of these colors, making it easy to incorporate a new trend into your current decor.   This rug, for example, features all three colors!

rug from overstock

This lamp shade adds a real retro touch to a contemporary or mid-century room and check out the main color…purple! (with a hint of oceanside blue in there)

via lamps plus

So step out of your comfort box and toss a purple pillow on your neutral colored couch or paint that front door red or reimagine a powder room in soothing oceanside blue.  And be sure and share your ideas with all of us.