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Will the real “Color of the Year for 2012” please stand up??

By January 3, 20127 Comments
A search around the blog world this time of year will surely contain posts about the “Color of the Year” for 2012.  We are “supposed to” look for the color to show itself strongly in fashion, accessories, home decor, etc.
The company who seems to get the most props for their color selection is  “Pantone” (not to be confused with “Pantene“…..they make hair products).  Apparently Pantone is THE color authority.  The have something to do with making colors for ink and making color fan decks and I really am not smart enough to decifer the rest of the information on their website.  But I love their color of the year:  

It’s “Tangerine Tango”…..  a vivacious reddish orange.

“Reminiscent of the radiant shadings of a sunset, Tangerine Tango marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy,” says the executive director of the Pantone Color Institute.

I found this mock up from designer Samantha Friedman who shares how to incorporate the winning shade into your home decor.  I like it.

So I am feeling all “Tangerine Tango”-ish , but then I stumble across this:

“CIL Paints has just announced Tea Dance (10YR 21/436) as the color every home needs in 2012. They describe it as a “blushy, lively, juicy” red that can have a different effect based on what it’s paired with. “

Hmmmmmmmmmm…..I like Tea Dance as well.  Who would want a “juicy red” on their walls???

I’ve never heard of CIL paints…..but perhaps you have.  So their “Color of the Year” is still in the red family.

You’ve all heard of Benjamin Moore.  They are not on the “red train” for the color of the year. 

Veering clear to the other side…..they selected “Wythe Blue” (HC-143) as Benjamin Moore’s 2012 Color of the Year. Shown in the dining room above……”Wythe Blue is a beautiful, calming hue that has an element of heritage and offers grounding rootedness, providing comfort and stability.”

I like it.  You can read more on Ben Moore’s color trends by clicking HERE.

And finally….you’ve probably all heard of Sherwin Williams paints.  The “Color Marketing Group” selected a SW color for their pick of the year.

“Boyz-N-Berry”, shown in the living room above, “is a deep rich purple with slight red undertones, represents the mainstreaming of purple. It is mature and elegant yet has a youthful edginess. It reflects our changing mindset on so many issues—off center and unconventional, spiritual, meditative- yet impulsive. It is serene and in-control.”

Gutsy.

Sherwin Williams reps go on to say that “North America, South America, Asia, India and Europe had almost identical reports on this hue. We see in this color the ‘take back control of my life’ that is entering the global consciousness.”

Hmmmmmmm……if I want to “take back control of my life”…..I’m not sure a purple living room will do it…..but ok.

Another site showed that Sherwin Williams has selected it’s own 2012 Color of the Year. They have chose a lush green called Argyle (SW 6747).

“Argyle is the perfect blend of blue and yellow, and is the color of commerce and the anticipation of greener pastures ahead.”

Sherwin-Williams predicts that greens next year will be less yellow and paired with ”rustic tones and organic elements like algae, moss and seaweed.”

And so there you have it, 5 different “colors of the year”!

Is the “real” Color of the Year a vivacious reddish orange, a juicy red, a calming blue, a deep rich purple or the color of $???????

Honestly, as long as it isn’t “Builder’s Beige”…..I don’t care what it is.

Just keep bringing on the color!

I would love to know your thoughts!

7 Comments

  • Jerusha says:

    Well, since the “experts” can’t agree, we should just feel free to do whatever we want, right? I do adore a few of those colors. 🙂

  • Tracy's Trinkets and Treasures says:

    Sounds like we should go with color we love rather than color of the year. Who wants to be painting it over again inn 2013 anyway huh? I think green might be the color of my life….I can’t seem to get away from it.

  • I didn’t see “Ooops!” anywhere in that list.
    You’re the one with the magic paintbrush if anyone could make ‘boyz n berry’ look good …I’d say it’d be you!

    I’m always a fan of green–though I don’t have much of it my home, I love green. Then there is that Tango…

    See all the experts do is just confuse a person… I’ll probably stick with my favorite…”Ooops!”

    Happy New Year, btw.

    Pat

  • Melanie says:

    I am sort of in a blue “kick” right now…. my master bathroom we just painted is similar in hue to the blue dining room you showed… except that I would say mine has a little more gray in it..

    My sister just painted her walk-out basement SW6250/Granite Peak that I really really like… I am tempted to steal the idea for my own house.
    http://www.sherwin-williams.com/do_it_yourself/paint_colors/ideas/color/SW6250_granite_peak/

  • sandi says:

    sherwin got it wrong on that boyz-n-berry. i have a home full of sherwin colors ~~~ moody blue – dining/piano room, chatroom – kitchen and family room, hardware – accent wall behind white bookshelves, soulmate – powder room, enchant – girls room, take five – boys room… any mention of the master bedroom? ummm no, that’s still builder beige. boo! i have been looking for a bold color for the laundry room – love that tangerine!

  • Radiant says:

    I am loving the argyle!!!!

  • I don’t see myself painting my home any of those colors but I appreciate good marketing. I love working with people who aren’t afraid to take a risk!

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