Color of the year 2013 Emerald

Pantone’s Color of the year 2013 EMERALD

As a design professional I was thrilled to learn that Pantone's color of the year 2013 would be Emerald, a beautiful strong color that can be worked into our homes décor with bold splashes or with subtle touches.

Strength of the color Emerald is that greens tend to be calming and work really well in today’s open floor plans. Greens can range from tranquil to dramatic; the color Emerald depending on how you choose to use it, will give your home a new feeling. And when you add color to your home you are creating a mood or feeling.

 

Remembering to look at color theory can help explain how to use Emerald in home décor:

• Complementary- color scheme would be using colors opposite on the color wheel. An example would be using emerald green in one room and then using its complimentary color red in the room next to it. Try Sherwin Williams Artichoke 6179 and Antique Red 7587
• Monochromatic- color scheme using a single color and a neutral color with it, Emerald green with a soft white will make a clean crisp room you won’t want to leave. Try Sherwin Williams Dill 6438 with Westhighland White 7566
• Triadic – Color scheme is using three colors, each evenly spaced from the other on the color wheel. For example red, yellow and green, the mixing of the three colors through paint, fabric and rugs can make a very happy space. Try using Sherwin Williams Show Stopper 7588 with Bee’s Wax 7682 and Meadow Trail 7737 as your inspiration colors.

Color gives our home its identity. A million people own white or beige furniture, according to Better Homes and Gardens, but with the addition of a colorful pillow, rug, throw or decorative accessory we can add personality to our neutral homes.

I have given you some color combinations above to use as your inspiration shades, now look at your home and consider putting Emerald green in your spaces. It can be as simple as emerald green throw pillows or window treatments with some of the emerald green with in the patteren, to a bold accent wall of Emerald.

Have fun with the color of the year and don’t overlook its clean crisp appearance and how well it works with natural stone and wood floors. Be green in 2013 and experiment with your home, whether you choose to be dramatic or subtle, you will enjoy the change and the feeling change can give you in your home.