Pantone’s Color of the Year 2011

Pantone,  industry source for color matching and famous for their Pantone Matching System used worldwide for everything from graphics to signs to fashion, named their Color of Year for 2011:

 “Honeysuckle, TCX 18-2120…a courageous color for a courageous new world.”   With the new “girl effect” highly influencing design and trends from architecture to automobiles to art to business, we could see pink more than ever.  In fact, PPG’s Automotive Group sees warm, rich India pink coming to auto finishes, as more women (and men) in India make an impact on the market place. 

“Honeysuckle emboldens us to face everyday troubles with verve and vigor. A dynamic reddish pink, Honeysuckle is encouraging and uplifting. It elevates our psyche beyond escape, instilling the confidence, courage and spirit to meet the exhaustive challenges that have become part of everyday life.”

Leatrice Eisman, President of Pantone recommends (but I don’t),  “Paint a wall in Honeysuckle for a dynamic burst of energy in the family room, kitchen or hallway.”  The reason I don’t recommend just slapping color around is because everything has an effect on your life.  As pink goes, you can’t get into too much negative affect, which is good, but if this color fights with other aspects of your home or your own energy somehow, you can know ahead of time (using color consultation or Feng Shui)  or pay attention to subtle changes and if you don’t like them, be ready and willing to change it.

She also says:

“Honeysuckle is upbeat and dynamic when used on large areas like the entry area of a house or an apartment. It is an appetite and conversation stimulant when used on the dining room walls. In the kitchen, it adds a fun touch on the table in placemats and other linens (patterned or solid), colored glassware, candles and small appliances. Honeysuckle is a great color to cover up shabby kitchen cabinets, or, if that’s too much of a color statement for you, try repainting knobs and drawer pulls. But be warned – once you try this arresting shade, it can become addictive.”

I think a home needs more consideration when being designed than this, but if you are looking for a way to pick yourself out of some doldrums, a shot in the arm of warm red with subtle blue undertones could help lift your spirits and make you feel a bit more compassionate toward yourself and sexy. 

What do you think about a room where Honeysuckle Pink makes a debut?