Hi Friends! It’s time for the Pantone color of the reveal! Each year Pantone predicts the color(s) that will best reflect the year ahead setting trends for fashion, tabletop and home decor. The 2021 Pantone Color of the Year or should I say colors of the year are….drumroll: Illuminating and Ultimate Gray. They symbolize strength and positivity and reassure us that sunny days are ahead! I am all for that!

“The union of an enduring Ultimate Gray with the vibrant yellow Illuminating expresses a message of positivity supported by fortitude. Practical and rock solid but at the same time warming and optimistic, this is a color combination that gives us resilience and hope. We need to feel encouraged and uplifted; this is essential to the human spirit.” – Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute

This is the second time they have chosen two colors in the two decade history of doing this! The last time they selected was in 2016 when Rose Quartz and Serenity were chosen, I wrote about it here. Another one of my favorite colors chosen in years past was Living Coral, I wrote about it here. Let’s see how we can incorporate these colors into our everyday lives.

How can Illuminating and Ultimate Gray work in the world of interior design?

I went to Pinterest as well as our Segreto photo library to get inspired!

Designer Amy Murchison used the vibrant yellow drapery to add sunshine to this room paired next to the sleek black/gray mantel. Segreto plastered the walls in bright white infused with a hint of yellow throughout to provide a beautiful backdrop for the art and furnishings. A great example of Illuminating and Ultimate Gray here!

A wide shot of the room. Such a fun use of color! See more of this beautiful home on pages 56-61 in Segreto Impressions.

Found on Pinterest, this Parisian bathroom is a wonderful combination of gray and yellow tones making for a serene yet cheerful retreat.

Also found on Pinterest, the art is the perfect mix of Illuminating and Ultimate Gray. Bringing color into a neutral room.

This bathroom is a sophisticated way to incorporate Ultimate Gray and Illuminating. Found on page 223 in Segreto Vignettes, the mural was created using various shades of gray and offset by the brass sink basin and fixtures.

If you aren’t ready to transform a whole room with these colors, incorporate small accents through florals or glassware. We loved collaborating with Marie Flanigan on this powder bath that she so beautifully styled and incorporated a pop of yellow through florals. The textured SegretoStone sink, a first for us, is set off well with our smoother counters. See more of this spread here and also check out Marie’s book The Beauty of Home which features so much more of her beautiful work!

This glassware and table setting is a fun way to incorporate a pop of yellow without investing too much in the trend. It brings a fresh look to the table and is sure to make for a cheerful gathering! You know me an dishware! I am all in!

“Even in the gray sameness of our current days, the future does look a whole lot brighter.” Here is to warm, bright sunny days ahead of us!

What do you think of Pantone’s color of the year? Let me know your thoughts and how you would incorporate these colors in your home in the comments below. Till next time! XO Leslie