2021 colour of the year exudes positivity, peace
“I am a believer that colour affects people's moods,” fashion designer Lilly Pulitzer once said. And after the year we've had, we're all in the mood for unpredictability, risk-taking and a bit of wildness, right? Uh, no. Chances are we crave the emotional equivalent of Henry David Thoreau on Walden Pond, or Tom Hanks in a sweater vest.
So it comes as no surprise that Sico paint by PPG has named Bluewinged Warbler as the 2021 Colour of the Year. Named after the North American songbird, the shade combines blue and green to create a mid-tone jade aqua that pairs well with light creams and warm beiges. It's grounded yet optimistic, calm yet uplifting.
“While much of the world continues to shelter in place, consumers have turned to nature to receive the comfort and relaxation that they have been longing for after months of feeling unsettled,” says senior marketing manager Martin Tustin-Fuchs. “This fresh aqua colour instils a feeling of positivity, transforming a space into a serene retreat from the world outside our doors.”
PPG colour experts also named Blue-winged Warbler in three colour palettes they believe will resonate in 2021. The Be True palette aims to celebrate tradition and connection by mixing the vintage feel of Church at Auvers (a rich maroon with chocolate undertones), with the recycled vibe of Cool Current (a glass-bottle green).
The Be Wild palette is more of a mood-booster that praises individuality. Blue-winged Warbler teams up with Jasper Blue (a periwinkle), and Limpid Lagoon (an aqua-blue). And the Be Well palette is all about wellness and restoration, as Blue-winged Warbler offsets Acoma Stone (a ginger with persimmon undertones), and Cool Green (a subdued green with azure undertones).
Ready to give your home a glowup for 2021? Dulux Paints by PPG offers these tips:
If your goal is a three-colour pal
■ ette on the walls, follow the 60-3010 design rule: 60 per cent of a room is your preferred dominant colour, 30 per cent is the secondary colour and 10 per cent is an accent.
■ If you prefer to use just one neutral colour on the walls, add interest by accessorizing with rugs, throw pillows, paintings or furniture that incorporate the palette's colours.
■ To boost coziness, use greenery, blond or natural brown-toned woods, and texture in the form of rattan, linen, velvet and woven textiles like pillows, blankets and rugs.
■ To create an illusion of height, paint the ceiling in a shade or two lighter than your walls. Similarly, use a mix of lighter and darker versions of your wall colour on baseboards, trim, windowsills and doors.