Exulting in color
Is it any wonder
that in a year marked by increased polarization and a tendency to reduce issues to black and white, many gravitated toward the full spectrum of the rainbow? We devoured beverage trends like the Unicorn Frappuccino, enhanced our selfies and snaps with special filters, and embraced bold, monochromatic fashions. We sought out pop-up experiences like the arty Color Factory and sugar-rush Museum of Ice Cream, both instant phenomena that drew hundreds of thousands of visitors. Even the success of “Matisse/Diebenkorn” at SFMOMA, and the Oakland Museum of California’s “Nature’s Gift,” an inflatable, interactive sculpture, points to the primal appeal of bold colors. Pantone just declared Ultra Violet — a shade very much like the purple on our cover — the color of 2018. Why? It’s simple: We could all use a little more joy in our lives. That’s why we put together a holiday gift guide inspired by the bright, upbeat colors that have the potential to elicit so much happiness. You’ll find everyday objects in fun hues, like rainbow coasters, a copper toothbrush, and a tomato-red canteen, that add an element of playfulness to routine tasks. We’ve also uncovered fanciful finds, from vibrant blue velvet booties to luxurious Tiffany & Co. table tennis paddles, that cheerful and bright charm and delight. May your holidays be as as what you’ll find in the pages ahead. —Allison McCarthy