Dance Into Spring 2012
Pantone's 2012 Color Choices
For spring 2012, designers are inspired by diverse influences, showcasing a range of lifestyles, from free and playful and light and breezy, to contemporary classics. Colors likewise reflect these differing moods, encapsulating vivid brights, soft muted tones and fun-loving pastels.
Here is a break-down of the colors being used this year with a complete description of each.
The color palette starts with Provocative Tangerine Tango, an enticing juicy orange, is a vivacious and appealing refresher to enliven anyone’s outlook this spring.
And, providing a jolt of energy, Solar Power radiates warmth and cheer.
Next we have, Fanciful Bellflower, a distinct ornamental purple, exudes uniqueness and creativity.
Scintillating and sexy, Cabaret is a sensual and intense rosy-red.
Continuing with Sodalite Blue, a classic maritime hue brings order and calmness to mind. Like an anchor to a ship, this dependable shade works with every color in the palette.
Add in Cockatoo, a tactile blue-green, which is sure to make your spirits soar. This unusual hue adds a whimsical touch to the palette and will surely make a statement this spring.
Mix in a little Margarita, a piquant yellow-green, lifts spirits with its refreshing and stimulating glow.
And finish with Sweet Lilac, reminiscent of a blossoming garden on an early spring morning and evoking the fresh scents of summer. This delicate pinkish lilac also adds a touch of romance.
Mix in these neutrals to add practicality to this season’s brights – Driftwood, an adaptable blend of beige and gray with a slightly weathered feel, and Starfish, a perfect warm summer neutral, complement all colors featured in this season’s top 10.
For an ultra-bold vibrant look this spring, try mixing Bellflower with Tangerine Tango and Cabaret. Combine Margarita with Sweet Lilac and Cockatoo for a subtle alternative, or combine Margarita with Sweet Lilac and Driftwood for a more practical variation. Solar Power is best juxtaposed with Sodalite Blue. For a safer bet, add a natural neutral like Starfish to the mix.
There you have it for this year’s color choices - just in time to make a splash for Spring.
Leslie
Interior designer, published author, speaker… and huge lover of great colors!
To read even more about this year’s colors, visit Pantone’s website at http://www.pantone.com.
Tags: 2012 colors, color, colors, decor, design, interior decorating, Interior Design, newest colors
Filed under: Decorating Colors
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Leslie, thanks for the post. Great colors this year. I was wondering, I’m wanting to paint my walls one color and my ceiling another. Is it better to paint the darker color on the ceiling or the walls?
1 Connie Savone said this (February 9, 2012 at 11:20 am)
Leslie, I love all the new colors and was wondering – are there 2 color choices that work best together out of all of them?
2 Mary Ellen said this (February 14, 2012 at 9:17 am)
Love the new festive colors. They seem to be a little more vibrant than last years – really brightens things up.
3 Sondra said this (February 16, 2012 at 3:18 pm)
Glad you like them. They are so lively and wonderful to use in decorating. Have fun mixing your colors! Leslie
4 admin said this (February 16, 2012 at 3:24 pm)
Love the new colors. I need to spend some time learning which ones to use and which can be mixed. Thanks for posting this great information – it will help out a lot as I redecorate some of my rooms.
5 Wanda said this (March 3, 2012 at 12:10 pm)
Hey Connie, glad you like the post! As far as your question about painting your walls and ceilings different colors – it really depends on the colors you’re wanting to use. If your room is small and/or has a low ceiling – paint the ceiling the lighter color. However, if your room is spacious, you have adequate lighting and your ceilings are tall, use the darker color on the ceiling to make a very dramatic statement. All the best! Leslie
6 admin said this (March 13, 2012 at 5:01 pm)
Hi Mary Ellen, thanks for posting a question! There really aren’t any specific color choices that work best, but as a rule of thumb, it’s best to pair a bright color you like with a neutral. Some of my fun combos I like to use are Bellflower with Driftwood, Tangerine Tango with Starfish, or even Soladite Blue with Cockatoo. Have fun exploring and test which ones you like by trying a few samples to see which works best in your room. To your decorating success, Leslie
7 admin said this (March 13, 2012 at 5:07 pm)
Thanks for the blog post. Great stuff!
8 Tammy said this (March 20, 2012 at 4:32 pm)
Thanks Tammy, I’m so glad you like my blog.
9 admin said this (March 25, 2012 at 7:07 am)
Your blog is so cool! Great information. You have some unique ideas on decorating. Nice job of bringing something new to the internet!
10 Lyzeett said this (March 29, 2012 at 3:07 pm)