Each year the design industry gets excited about colour standard company Pantone‘s choice for Colour of the Year. Once it’s announced, everyone goes into a frenzy of finding products that match the colour or range of colours, and tries to explain why the sometimes unexpected colour choice is somehow in tune with the zeitgeist.
Now, we’re not saying that you should immediately trash all your furniture and rip down your wallpaper, but you’ll certainly find that the COTY influences a lot of interior designers for the next season, so you may find it seeping into your home by accident if not by design.
So, with no further ado – the Pantone Colour of the Year for 2023 is… Viva Magenta!
Pantone’s Colour of the Year, Viva Magenta 18-1750, vibrates with vim and vigour. It is a shade rooted in nature descending from the red family and expressive of a new signal of strength. Viva Magenta is brave and fearless, and a pulsating colour whose exuberance promotes a joyous and optimistic celebration, writing a new narrative.
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This year’s Colour of the Year is powerful and empowering. It is a new animated red that revels in pure joy, encouraging experimentation and self-expression without restraint, an electrifying, and a boundaryless shade that is manifesting as a stand-out statement. PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta welcomes anyone and everyone with the same verve for life and rebellious spirit. It is a colour that is audacious, full of wit and inclusive of all.
Cochineal
Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director, Pantone Color Institute, says: “In this age of technology, we look to draw inspiration from nature and what is real. PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta descends from the red family, and is inspired by the red of cochineal, one of the most precious dyes belonging to the natural dye family as well as one of the strongest and brightest the world has known.
Rooted in the primordial, PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta reconnects us to original matter. Invoking the forces of nature, PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta galvanises our spirit, helping us to build our inner strength.”
Rebecca Snowden, Interior Style Advisor at Furniture And Choice (FurnitureChoice.co.uk), shares how to introduce this dynamic colour into your home for a bold update.
Viva Magenta is a brave and optimistic red hue that is designed to be fearless and bold. “Say goodbye to colourless neutrals and welcome this vibrant colour that refuses to be ignored,” Rebecca says. “Viva Magenta’s surreal vibrance brings to mind technological innovations that improve our world while at the same time evoking the magical wonders of the galaxy. Expect to see it brighten up the coming year with its flamboyance and dynamic spirit.”
“After an unconventional two years, it’s not surprising that we want to add a fun, experimental twist to our interiors,” Rebecca says.
“Even though Viva Magenta is a powerful colour it can still be used in the bedroom. Introduce it in an innovative way with a feature wall,” Rebecca explains. “Ground the room with a grey velvet bed which sets the scene for more joyful accents. Highlight Viva Magenta with touches of pink or red and offbeat shapes such as scalloped cushions. Soften the room by layering cotton textures and velvet throws. Round off the look with glamorous contrasts such as gold or brass finishes.”
Animated
Since Viva Magenta is described as an ‘animated red’ by Pantone, balance its vibrancy with lighter, muted colours. “Pantone recommends pairing Viva Magenta with grey and khaki tones such as Agate Grey 15-6307 and Pale Khaki 15-1216 which will add a softer touch to your interiors,” Rebecca explains. “If you want to contrast it with a more playful colour, try a soft lilac or Plein Air 13-4111 which is a light greyish blue.”
Contacted for comment, Captain Magenta from Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons said from Cloudbase: “I’ve always been the coolest colour. Scarlet, Blue, even Green – they’ve got nothing on me. Fearless, bold, brave and optimistic – that’s me all over! Suck it, Scarlet!”
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