Pantone’s Colors for 2021: Gray and Yellow
At the end of each year, PANTONE reveals their color of the year. As an artist, I look forward to and my Facebook feed fills with my friends announcements and opinions on the selection.
If you’ve never heard of Pantone, they are the company over 10 million million designers and producers around the world rely on Pantone products and services to help define, communicate and control color from inspiration to realization.
Without their guidance every company would be making it up as they go and you wouldn’t be able to find much that matched for your home or wardrobe. (It would be like the wild west of color! I’m shuddering as I type it!)
This year they chose gray and yellow – or more specifically: PANTONE 17-5104 Ultimate Gray + PANTONE 13-0647
Pantone describes the colors as “illuminating, two independent colors that highlight how different elements come together to support one another, best express the mood for Pantone Color of the Year 2021.
Practical and rock solid but at the same time warming and optimistic, the union of PANTONE 17-5104 Ultimate Gray + PANTONE 13-0647 Illuminating is one of strength and positivity. It is a story of color that encapsulates deeper feelings of thoughtfulness with the promise of something sunny and friendly.”
I thought this was the first time they chose TWO colors – but apparently I was mistaken. They chose two in 2016 as well – a pink and purplish-blue (click here if you are curious)
The first think that came to mind when I saw the colors was “Oh no! I look horrible in yellow!” Usually the colors go to fashion first since they have a shorter production lead time than home decor, for example. But then I told myself not to panic and to think more broadly – how will this work in my art, in my home and in sewing and quilting.
The smile came when I thought about sewing and quilting. I love the combination of neutrals with a pop of color so grays, whites and yellow speak to my soul.
I also took to Pinterest to see what inspiration I could find – there is a lot! I started a board to gather ideas for the 2021 colors – you can find and follow it here >
What do you think? Do you like the colors they chose and do you see yourself using them? Drop your thoughts in the comments – would love to hear!
– Tara
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Art Licensing. Watercolorist. Sewist. Quilter. Designer of fabrics for Riley Blake Designs.
A less intense yellow , grey and white has been my colour scheme at my condo abode for 3 years now. Crikey, am I a trend setter or what? Actually, I have light, warm gold walls throughout the open multi- windowed, north-facing living/dining /kitchen area. Always feels sunny even when it isn’t. A dark grey tweed love seat and easy chair and a willow patterned grey and gold pattern on off white lounge chair. All trim is white. A dark grey face wall on the kitchen island. Lighter grey and white granite counters. The fireplace is shades of grey and white small brick Flooring is dark wood with the darkest of greys picked up in the willow patterned chair. My second BR/ studio is painted the same gold , same flooring
throughout. The master bedroom has greyed green walls for calmness. I couldn’t have better colours around me during Covid.
That sounds beautiful and relaxing and apparently YOU ARE a trendsetter!