Back in the pink with Pantone’s 2011 pick

Every January, professionals from such diverse arenas as automobile design, paint manufacturing and haute couture wait breathlessly for the Pantone Color of the Year announcement.

It’s now official … and the Pantone 2011 color is … Honeysuckle (18-2120).

Huh????

If you’re like many of us, you had to work to recall exactly WHAT color a honeysuckle blossom actually is.

Hint – it’s NOT the color of honey. It’s a sort of deep pink – one steeped in lots of red.

Switching gears from last year’s Turquoise, which was meant to invoke peace and relaxation in a hyper-stressed world, this bright new color is said to “empower with spirit and vitality.” Reportedly, the Pantone authorities on color hope that this dynamic and decidedly cheery hue will elevate psyches and instill us all with the confidence needed to meet the challenges of 2011.

Who can argue with that sentiment?

Here’s how Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, put it:

“In times of stress, we need something to lift our spirits. Honeysuckle is a captivating, stimulating color that gets the adrenaline going—perfect to ward off the blues. Honeysuckle derives its positive qualities from a powerful bond to its mother color red, the most physical, viscerally alive hue in the spectrum.

“The intensity of this festive reddish pink allures and engages. In fact, this color, not the sweet fragrance of the flower blossoms for which it was named, is what attracts hummingbirds to nectar. Honeysuckle may also bring a wave of nostalgia for its associated delicious scent, reminiscent of the carefree days of spring and summer.”

Don’t expect too many people to run out and paint their houses in a solid Honeysuckle tomorrow. But used judiciously in both residential and commercial interiors, we’re confident that Honeysuckle will make a vibrant, optimistic statement.

It’s ideal for shaping a room (think wallpaper in twin dormers or a short hallway) or to accessorize a subdued décor with flamboyant bursts of bliss.

Smells like a fresh idea to us!

Serving design professionals,
KMD Showroom

What's your Pantone pick?

Every year, Pantone releases a top-ten list of popular colors destined to define the spring and fall fashion seasons. The influence of this particular top-ten list is enormous – extending far beyond the fashion world.

Designers of everything from automobiles to kitchen appliances … laptops to luggage … watch this list carefully so they can get a jump on the next hot trend.

This year the hot colors for spring of 2011 – picked by top New York fashion designers – are Honeysuckle … Coral rose … Peapod … Beeswax … Silver Peony … Russet … Regatta … Blue Curacao … Lavender … and Silver Cloud.

You can look at all the colors and vote for your favorites at the Pantone site, here. (We voted for Peapod. Just saying.)

A recent blog from our friends at Kravet noted the influence of the Pantone list on their own color stories currently in development at their couture studio outside of Boston, MA.

Naturally, we can’t wait to see the latest inspirations from Kravet.

But if you can’t wait – really CAN’T wait – because of a pressing deadline – we can point you to a vast selection of Kravet papers, fabrics and trims already available in these gotta-have hues.

For example, a quick search through current Kravet fabric collections turns up the enchanting Mill Reef Palm pattern in our favorite shade of Peapod green. From the Kravet Soleil brand, this breezy foliage-design includes a Teflon, stain- and water-repellent treatment – perfect for upholstery – that HAS to hold up under stress.

So you can wait for the trend … or make the trend.

Or buck the trend if you want to.

Either way, we’re here to help.

Serving design professionals,

KMD Showroom