Have you been seeing red lately? Not the blood-boiling, pop-your-top kind – it’s Marsala, the recently announced Pantone Colour of the Year for 2015 and it’s a hue you’ll be seeing all year long on everything from lipstick and women’s fashions to paint, sofas and side chairs.
Described as a naturally robust and earthy wine red, Marsala follows 2014’s Radiant Orchid and Emerald and Tangerine Tango from previous years as the colour to watch, continuing the long-term trend toward rich, earthy jewel tones wherever colour is used.
“While Radiant Orchid encouraged creativity and innovation, Marsala enriches our mind, body and soul, exuding confidence and stability,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Colour Institute. “Much like the fortified wine that gives Marsala its name, this tasteful hue embodies the satisfying richness of a fulfilling meal, while its grounding red-brown roots emanate a sophisticated, natural earthiness. This hearty, yet stylish tone is universally appealing and translates easily to fashion, beauty, industrial design, home furnishings and interiors.”
The globally-regarded Pantone Colour Institute charts future colour direction, studies how colour influences us and helps professionals understand and use colour more effectively, but to you and me, it’s about finding a colour that looks nice on the wall, or goes with our existing living room furniture.
“We’ll see more of this Pantone colour coming out in the spring. Most of our customers prefer neutrals like organic burlap and natural linens – more traditional hues on sofas and furniture,” said Kelly Parrent, manager at Highstreet Interiors Furniture Boutique in Morinville. “Yet, every time we feature red on the showroom floor, it sells. It’s a showstopper colour, for people who aren’t afraid to make a commitment.”
Pantone describes Marsala as providing a unifying element for interior spaces, adding elegance to rooms by incorporating the rich, warm hue in accent pieces, accessories and paint. It’s also said to be an ideal choice for rugs and upholstered living room furniture. Right on trend, Christopher Clayton Furniture in West Edmonton has been all about red for some time.
“If you live bold, then you won’t be afraid of vibrant red in your art or on the sofa,” said Trevor Compton, sales manager for Christopher Clayton. “We want our customers to showcase who they are in their home. But since trends change quickly, it’s wise to use hot colours and textures in pillows, lamps and wall colours – things you can change easily without huge cost.”
St. Albert interior decorator Dianne Broesky, of Gayle’s Decorating, agrees that the vast majority of consumers will likely stick to neutrals on drapes and furnishings, especially in the living room and open, common areas of the home – instead choosing to use the bold hue on artwork or accessories.
“I could see that colour in a dining room, maybe if you’re a risk taker or artsy. But, you’ve got to live with that choice every day. Sometimes, people will try these shades on bedding or the bedroom walls – it’s a room you can close off from the rest of the house,” she said.
When using Marsala as an accent colour, Pantone said it combines dramatically with neutrals, including warmer taupes and greys. Because of its burnished undertones, Marsala is highly compatible with amber, umber and golden yellows, greens in both turquoise and teal, and blues in the more vibrant range.
In the kitchen and dining room, Pantone reports Marsala will be ideal for tabletop, small appliances and linens throughout the home. The hue will also be prominent in striping and floral patterns found in printed placemats, dinnerware, bedding and throws.
