Since 2000, The Pantone Color Institute has been announcing its annual Color of the Year. A singular hue that Pantone says, “…helps companies and designers make the most informed decisions about color for their products and brands.”
This year Pantone has chosen two colors: Illuminating (Yellow) and Ultimate Gray.
“This year’s color is actually a marriage of two, that Pantone describes as both enduring (ultimate gray) and uplifting (illuminating yellow). Pantone advises that the colors don’t need to be used in equal proportions, as either color can take the lead.”
Gee, it must be fun to sit around all year and cogitate on a color for the upcoming one.
How do you feel about these colors? At first, I didn’t think gray was actually a viable choice, since I always assumed it was neutral and neutrals aren’t really a part of the the color wheel. I did, however, think the hopefulness of illuminating yellow is what we all need right now.
Additionally, in our book, Quintessential Style, yellow is described as “the friendliest color.”
It seems like stylists and designers have already hooked onto the yellow/gray trend. Take a look.
Clothing
Home decor
So, yesterday I visited Tuesday Morning. Guess what I found at the entrance of the store? (Truly)
This yellow and gray is beginning to grow on me. At the outset of this blog, I was having my doubts, but after further review, I think I like this combo!
What do you think? Would you decorate with these two colors? Do you prefer one over the other? Would you wear them together?
Please comment below.
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14 Comments
While I don’t have a lot of yellow in my wardrobe, the color does evoke happy memories for me. My first car was a yellow cougar. I wore a yellow bridesmaids dress at my brother’s wedding. And, I always try to choose yellow if I am playing a game. Gray is beginning to grow on me and I have added a few clothing items in gray in recent years. Personally I do like the combination of gray and yellow! I have a yellow T-shirt and gray jeans. I think I will give it a try.
Sherry,
I think the gray jeans and yellow T will be super-fun for spring. And, of course, right on trend!
SO Excited….LOVE Yellow….It s my Happy Color ! I like the grey with it, but would wear Navy myself.
Carla,
Janna says you are right on with the navy. It is a better neutral for a light-bright than gray.
Thanks for your comment.
Hi Sharon, last year one of my sister’s decided to leave Dallas for a smaller town and bought a Condo. She decided that she also wanted new furniture! And yes, her decor is gray and yellow! I was skeptical at first, but I really liked it when I saw it. She also painted some of the walls gray and the others white! The yellow is mostly accents like pillows and pictures with yellow flowers!
But she did put hot pink, instead of yellow, in a bedroom! The furniture in that room was also gray. I blew up one of my hot pink flower pictures from Maui and had it framed for that room!
Hilde,
I bet that hot pink floral picture was a dynamite accent to the neutral gray wall. Wow!
I remember a while back when yellow and grey were seen in fashion. I think the colors look good together especially in a mix of darker and lighter hues. I especially like yellow for a mood lifter. But for some reason I don’t end up wearing those two colors together so much after I buy them.
On the other hand, I think they are good decorating colors. But I must tire of them easily as other colors are my preference and since I can’t redecorate on a whim, I almost always choose those colors I naturally gravitate toward. They make me happy.
Cindy,
Color really has power. I think you should always decorate with colors that make you happy–whether they are on-trend or not.
I have always loved gray. It speaks of quiet elegance to me…especially paired with white. I love yellow but am careful how I use it in my wardrobe.
Marianne,
I did notice in the photos that the jackets were both gray and the yellow was more of an accent color.
Thank you for writing.
I LOVE these colors together and I have actually been decorating with them the last couple of months….and I have a couple of sweaters that I love to wear with these colors in them. WHO Knew!!!!
Beverly,
Sounds like your style is way ahead of the trends. Just goes to show that if you decorate with what you love, it will always make you happy.
I have never liked gray because it reminds me of the gray cloudy days in Seattle/Tacoma except for the charcoal gray jacket and skirt my Mom made for me each Easter in elementary school, worn with a pale pink blouse. Yellow is pretty as an accent color but takes the right complexion.
Pat,
What a sweet reminder of your mother. I bet the pale pink and gray looked marvelous.
Thanks for writing.