This year, the general theme is earthy and dramatic. The Pantone® Color Institute, known for its leadership in colour theory in design, has named its colour of the year for 2017 as “Greenery”. But it isn’t just about one colour. As Pantone® states, “Greenery is symbolic of new beginnings. A life-affirming shade, Greenery is also emblematic of the pursuit of personal passions and vitality.” Along with this vibrant shade of all things green, the colour represents drama and vitality as a whole.
With that in mind, we begin with a blue-green palette. A natural colour found in the oceans of the tropics or Jade stone, this unique shade pairs gorgeously with copper or bronze. Bring the elements of water and metal into your home with this dramatic combination.
A few shades lighter than baby blue, powdery blue is charming and soft. Unlike Robin’s Egg blue, which was highly overused a few years ago, powdery blue is more subtle and closer to grey tones. That isn’t to say it doesn’t hold its own in the dramatic department. Paired with gold or yellow tones—or dark natural wood—it makes a highly sophisticated and enchanting impression.
I can just hear you now, “Dark grey, are you crazy?” Hear us out. This silky, rich earth tone has its place within your colour palette. However, we wouldn’t necessarily paint an entire room in this colour, as some of the design trends may be suggesting. We know that painting an entire room in a dark colour has the tendency to make the room look smaller and less appealing. However, there are ways to apply this shadowy tone to give your room the spice and complexity you are looking for.
Consider a feature wall in this tone, perhaps in the master bedroom or in a library/den. Given this colour’s dark, soothing tenor, it’s best used in a room in which you’d normally relax. It would suit well on the wall hosting your stone-wrapped fireplace. The natural grey brings out the colours of any stone you may have in your home.
But don’t stop there. Adding a texture such as a simple wainscoting effect (trim only) can really soften the impact of this bold colour while amplifying the level of sophistication. Pair with natural tones such as brushed gold, copper, or bronze.
This isn’t your typical sunshine yellow, but rather a scaled-back variety. A delightfully soft tone, dusted yellow is a great way to add little strokes of happiness throughout your home. Use as a wall colour or pair dusted yellow accent pieces with muted grey walls. Combine with lighter-toned hardwood floors to maintain the light and airy feel of this colour.
A shade similar to denim but far classier, dusky blue is an exceedingly soothing colour. A dramatic base, this tone can be paired with any number of accent colours, from lighter natural hardwood to gold or yellow tones. If you are less risky in your décor, this is an ideal colour to pair with a muted grey. You’ll still benefit from the drama of the blue without looking like you went too far.
As you can see, the overall theme for this year consists of all elements of nature. Don’t be shy—embrace your personal passions and vitality in 2017 to mix dramatic paint colours with the textures and tones of mother nature.
Looking to see more design ideas quickly gaining popularity? Check out these 5 Upscale Home Décor Trends for 2017.