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Living Coral: Pantone’s Cheerful Colour Choice for 2019

Colour shapes how we feel about the world around us – it can evoke a sense of calm relaxation or excited determination, and everything in between.

To capture the near infinite amount of hues we see in nature, fashion, interior decor, and more, The Pantone Color Institute was created to provide a universal language of colour for any decision that requires it. This colour system was implemented in the 1950s and has standardized pigments across all domains including paint, fashion, plastics, and materials used in branding. Millions of designers and producers around the world rely on the Pantone Color System to communicate a cohesive look or message.

Every December since the year 2000, The Pantone Color Institute chooses a colour that reflects our current world and how we want our future world to look. Pantone carefully selects the hue based on an amalgamation of the sights around us, what we buy, and the sentiments we feel. They get their inspiration through fashion, art, social media, and branding. In fact, the institute noted that Apple and AirBnB used this year’s hue in their branding, signaling that it will become even more popular across various mediums.

Living Coral – Pantone’s 2019 Colour of the Year

This year’s colour is Pantone 16-1546, also known as Living Coral. It’s a warm coral shade with golden undertones that is thought to evoke a sense of optimism and joy.

Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute noted in an Elle Decor interview that “in a time when so many of us are increasingly immersed in digital experiences that can be cold and isolating, Living Coral felt like an appealing shade of connection. There’s just something about the color that feels earthbound and welcoming, optimistic and intimate. And those are the exact reason’s Living Coral is so applicable in the home and design space.”

Ms. Eiseman also noted that Living Coral is a nurturing colour that appears in our natural surroundings and makes us feel at home. It is meant to bring out happy and carefree feelings, but with an energetic edge.

How to Integrate Living Coral In Your Home Decor

Many colours from years past have been fairly bold and were integrated as accents rather than as centerpieces for decor. For example, 2018’s vibrant Ultra Violet and 2004’s bright Tangerine Tango are both beautiful colours, but not likely to be candidates for painting an entire room.

This year’s Living Coral is still bold, but much more welcoming and warm so it’s more likely to be seen on walls rather than solely in home decor. It can easily be used as a colour for an entryway, powder room, or an accent wall.

If you’re looking to integrate this year’s colour of the year without making it a feature room, you can easily add the pigment in decor. Throw pillows, rugs, and a plant pot are easy ways to bring the colour into your living room. If you want to add a pop of Living Coral to your kitchen, placemats and colour-dipped cutlery are beautiful options.

Overall, Living Coral is a fresh colour that perfectly reflects a fresh start for the new year, and may even inspire a trip to a tropical destination!

Do you have any questions about introducing some colour into your home? Contact us today to create a beautiful and cohesive colourful space!