Colors of the Year: Ultimate Gray and Illuminating

Pantone chose two colors for the year 2021, a gorgeous dark gray, and a bright, cheery yellow! They describe it as a “marriage of colors about the human spirit”, and I love the combo. Although I don’t typically combine those exact shades, I love a great neutral gray and a pretty pop of yellow, especially in the springtime. I wanted to highlight some things you can do to bring these shades into your home (even if you don’t choose those exact Pantone hues). We are a distributor for Jolie Paint, so we can also help you choose the shade that best suits your home or style!

Source: PEXELS.COM

-Grey in bedding: This is a fun trend! Anthropologie always has the best bedding around, and they have some really gorgeous gray sets right now, especially this relaxed linen style. I love the oversized, draped-over-the-bed look, and who doesn’t love some extra comforter to cuddle up in when it’s cold? Use one size up than your bed size for extra length on both sides! Find my favorite comforter HERE. 

-Pop of mustard yellow: I love a tiny bit of yellow mixed with pretty neutrals, and in moderation, it can work as a super elegant pairing. This pillow from Target is inexpensive, and can be a fun way to “try” a new color in your home without committing to something more permanent like paint or furniture. We also love the idea of a mustard throw blanket, a candle, or a frame to introduce the hue into your decor in a subtle way. Look for mustard yellow with an undertone of grey or cream for something soft and usable. 

-Gray door: This is a cute and not-as-trendy way to bring in some neutrals to your exterior paint. I have seen lots of pretty examples on Pinterest, but really any shade of gray looks pretty with white trim, and with almost any exterior shade. Accent a gray front or back door with black planters, modernized house numbers, and a fun doormat to keep it interesting! 

If you’re wanting to bring in these colors but aren’t sure how, please contact me. i’d love to help you rethink your decor and making it fit your personality!

Working with a Color Palette in Your Home

When creating a color palette for your home, there are many different aspects to consider. I wanted to share some ideas today, that will simplify the process. A color palette can be the starting point for all of your decorating decisions, and can really help hone in some of the big choices like furniture and wall colors. Here are some of my tips for searching for, and utilizing, a color palette:

-Begin with your foundational pieces: Some items in your home, such as the outer color, cupboards, or carpets are already part of your home color scheme. If it is not ideal or affordable for you to renovate every piece of your home, you have to consider those items when putting together a color palette. Consider which items are not being replaced, and which items may be there for years to come. 

-Build a tangible memory board: Sure, Pinterest is handy, but a regular poster board can actually be really fun to put together, and put ideas on. You can consider it your inspiration board, and can add clippings and paint swatches to it for ideas. You can also add carpet squares, or wood samples to a physical board, although it might be heavy. It can be a great poster to show your designer, if you go with a pro (like me! :)

-Decide if you want monochromatic or lots of different colors. I love the monochromatic look, and  if you know me, you know that clean whites, and warm creams are the stuff I go to most often. They make a room look larger, crisper, and more modern, while still warm. Harmonious colors are those that are close in the color wheel. These generally look very nice together. Complementary colors add a bit more contrast, and appear across from each other on the color wheel. Find more info about the color wheel HERE.