Announcements of brand new colors of the year are bouncing in from paint manufacturers this season and so far we’re seeing lots of pinks and blues in the bunch. With names like First Light and Bombay Pink for the pinks and Naval and Chinese Porcelain for the blues, all of these hues are being touted to introduce a sense of calm, comfort and serenity into your home. Want to be surprised? We have a neutral green called Back to Nature. Take a look and see if one of these babies is right for you!
First Light
Benjamin Moore’s First Light is a soft shade of pink that reflects “a shift in mindset from the material to satisfying the core needs in life: community, comfort, security, self-expression, authenticity, and ultimately, optimism,” says Andrea Magno, Benjamin Moore director of color marketing and development. Designers are positioning First Light as a new neutral. It’s subtle enough to be used in a living room, dining room or bedroom, and it looks great when coupled with bright white or beige trim or furnishings.
“Pink can be added to any room, through artwork and accessories, to create a fresh, sophisticated look.” —Nichole Hughey, designer, Sacksteder’s Interiors
“Blush pink is such a soothing and gentle color; complementary to so many color schemes. It creates the aah! feeling.” —Ann Hoffman, Hoffman and Albers Interiors
Naval
Naval by Sherwin-Williams lives firmly in the navy blue family which is considered to be a particularly relaxing color. This rich hue can lean toward the subtle side or be a bit bold when paired with crisp white trim—an especially great look for a kitchen.
“You can pair this blue with a vibrant warm color such as orange, shocking pink or bright red in smaller doses, or charcoal or black,” says Gretchen Curk, owner of Curk Interiors Inc., Decorating Den in Cincinnati. She continues, “Bold color is easier to use with other bold colors or if you have a lot of white or neutral in the room as well.”
“Blue is a serene and tranquil color, but it can also be vibrant and electric. This shade has some energy to it and highlights the beautiful light fixture.” —Gretchen Curk, Curk Interiors Inc., Decorating Den
“We love the indigo blue on the window treatments and the inky blue in the pillows tying back to the lighter hues in the area rug and mottled blue leather accent chair.” —Craig Reis, Best Furniture Gallery
“Navy and blues in general are staples in my designs. The color is a classic and brings sophistication and richness to any space. It is a color that will never go out of style.” —Alisa Culyer, Honor & Grace Interior Design
Bombay Pink
Valspar’s Bombay Pink, is actually one of 12 colors of the year chosen by that company for 2020. All were designed to showcase shades that are subdued and livable. “The palette of colors that is accepted as neutrals in the home has expanded,” says Sue Kim, Valspar marketing manager. “We are looking to bring colorful neutrals into our home to add personality and elegance while still remaining comfortable.” Kim admits that Bombay Pink is one of her favorites this year. The hue looks particularly enticing when paired with gold accents.
Chinese Porcelain
Chinese Porcelain by PPG is a rich jewel tone that “instills calmness, reduces anxiety, and encourages sleep,” according to Dee Schlotter, PPG senior color marketing manager.
She adds, “This soothing blue imparts slowness, encouraging consumers to practice mindfulness and be more present in their lives while also offering the spirit of hopefulness—a precious commodity in a restless world.”
Chinese Porcelain works well as an interior accent wall, but is an especially great choice for adding curb appeal when used on a front door.
Back to Nature
Back to Nature by Behr is a soft shade of green which was created with meadows in mind and is a terrific way to bring the colors of nature inside your home. The hue “encourages us to re-engage with the natural world, which we know can have a real, positive impact on our well-being,” according to Erika Woelfel, vice president of color and creative services at Behr.
Back to Nature works well when paired with other natural colors such as browns, dark greens, and blues.
Article by Karen Bradner
Article originally appeared in Housetrends Cincinnati – December 2019/January 2020