Is it a Coincidence? The Power of Pantone’s Color of the Year
Do you ever feel like you have a knack for predicting the future? Me, too!
As long as I can remember, I’ve been struck by flashes of inspiration. Or maybe it’s just that I do a lot of wishful thinking. Either way, I’m not one to chalk things up to coincidence. Whether it’s being in touch with our intuition, the power of prayer or even the self-fulfilling prophecy of positive thinking – I believe it’s possible to envision what you want – and then make it happen.
THE COLOR INSTITUTE
One of the best examples in my recent past is late last year when Pantone, Inc. announced their selection for Color of the Year.
If you’re a designer – fashion, graphic, web, interior – or any other creative professional, you’ve likely worked with Pantones Colors. In fact, now that programs like Adobe Photoshop are so prevalent and accessible, more people than ever are familiar with Pantone.
In 1963, Lawrence Herbert, Pantone’s founder, developed an innovative system of identifying and matching colors to solve the problems associated with producing accurate color matches in the graphic arts community.
For more than 45 years, Pantone’s Color Institute has been the world-renowned authority on color.
Have you ever wondered why when you walk into a store and see new seasonal merchandise, it all coordinates so well? Is it a conspiracy? Do designers really dictate trends in color?
TREND FORECASTS
Designers do play a key role in determining color trends, and the Color Institute relies on this input.
The semiannual Pantone fashion color report surveys top designers. The Pantone team takes the information and utilizes that as a collection for their Trend Forecasts for the coming season.
Hot up and coming colors: Pink Champagne, Chocolate Truffle, Lagoon, Red Lipstick and Oyster Gray.
But the one I love the most? Pantone’s 2010 Color of the Year: TURQUOISE!
Carolyn Kelly, from The Magazine Antiques writes, “Turquoise has been one of the most sought after colors in decorative arts history starting with the turquoise ground, called bleu céleste, developed in 1753 for Louis XV at the porcelain factory at Vincennes.”
Let’s start with one of my favorite kitchens ever. Created by architectural designer Peter Napolitano and interior designer Thomas Britt, this photo, featured in Architectural Digest and first spotted on a blog I adore – House of Turquoise – serves as a constant source of inspiration.
In fact, if you’ve ever visited the Sugarluxe Studio, you’d think HGTV Designer, Judith Balis, channeled my space when she created this beautiful room below. From the hot pink chairs and zebra print pillows, to the glossy black accents and turquoise walls, I love her balance of traditional furnishings with a totally modern flair made possible by the smart use of color. (photo via HGTV Designer Portfolios)
Here’s another gorgeous room that pays homage to the Sugarluxe Life. Interior Designer, Debbie Sheaf made perfect use of my fav color combo (photo via Southern Hospitality Blog)
Click below on examples from the Sugarluxe Gallery and you’ll see that I’ve been predicting the need for these upbeat, vibrant colors for years.
Pantone says they represent a psychological shift toward the need for optimism and hope. I say – EXACTLY!
Oh, how I just LOVE color!
HAPPILY EVER AFTER
Speaking of love, fashion mavens and modern designers aren’t the only ones coveting my favorite color this year.
Brides to Be are filling our inbox with orders for mirror compacts and keyrings that feature even the faintest hint of turquoise. These items have always been great gifts for bridesmaids, but now it seems big orders for bridal parties are coming in like never before.
We are even adding more designs to our SMART Cufflinks Collection because the demand is growing. Even the grooms want in on the action.
I think that speaks to the global reach and impact of Pantone Colors which now permeate every industry.
For even more inspiration, be sure to check out some of my favorite blissful blogs:
It’s a Jaime Thing | Cocktails & Details | The Wedding Chicks | Wedding Paper Divas
In addition to my personal preference, the psychology of this color helps to explain its inherently optimistic nature.
IT’S TIME FOR TURQUOISE
Color can help to build confidence.
Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute, adds that by combining the serene qualities of blue and the invigorating aspects of green, Turquoise inspires thoughts of soothing, tropical waters and a comforting escape from the everyday troubles of the world, while at the same time restoring our sense of well-being…
She explains that whether envisioned as a tranquil ocean surrounding a tropical island or a protective stone warding off evil spirits, Turquoise is a color that most people respond to positively. It is universally flattering, has appeal for men and women, and translates easily to fashion and interiors.
With both warm and cool undertones, it pairs nicely with any other color in the spectrum.
THE FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT
I also believe that Turquoise is a color of compassion and inner healing. It relates to our ability to love ourselves, as well as others. That’s why, even before it became trendy, Turquoise has always played a dominant role in my art.
I feel so blessed that I get to do what I do. This week, we celebrated our Anniversary at Sugarluxe. Here’s to 5 FABULOUS YEARS of trying my BEST to make the world a brighter place…
GRAND PRIZE Giveaway – Cheers My Darling Canvas Art
February 23, 2009 by Chandra Michaels
Filed under Art, Design, Featured
What better way to wrap up four wonderful weeks of free prizes than to give away to ONE lucky winner – a piece from my very own collection?!
In honor of our 4 year Anniversary Celebration at Sugarluxe, I am thrilled to offer (for the first time ever) a FREE giclee canvas. For those of you who have joined me all month long for our giveaways – I hope you’ve enjoyed our brand new items, the chance at winning these goodies, and the anticipation of seeing what comes next. I’ve had so much fun and I sure hope you have, too.
Week #1 – Sugarluxe Art & Soul Mirror Compact Winners
Week #2 – Sugarluxe SMART Collection Cufflinks Winners
Week #3 – Sugarluxe Decor Vinyl Big Wall Graphics Winners
So, let’s talk a little bit about this week’s Grand Prize…
You already know that I work on so many different things at once and I have a multitude of projects underway at any given time. That’s why it made it kind of hard to figure out exactly what I was going to do for the Grand Prize. When I started this 4 weeks ago, I knew I wanted to give away something BIG…I just didn’t know what!
More importantly, as the clock was ticking, I realized I also wanted to offer something that is unique and meaningful to me. When it came right down to it – I couldn’t think of anything better than this.
And here she is folks: Ruby Moon in Cheers My Darling
But why is this piece so special? After all, you can find Ruby Moon on our website and also a derivative at Z Gallerie. You can even get a mini print version on our archival paper prints.
HOWEVER – there is ONLY ONE like the photo you see below. This is a canvas like no other.
So, this week – for our BIG GRAND PRIZE GIVEAWAY – someone will win this one of a kind:
• 40″ x 40″ Gallery Wrapped Canvas Art by Sugarluxe
• Signed & Numbered – AP 1/1
• Embedded with 10 Genuine Swarovski Crystals
• With a Personal Note to Winner on the Back
• Also Includes a Certificate of Authenticity
And like all of our prizes, this too, includes FREE shipping.
If you were with me last year during our benefit to help raise money for the Austin Children’s Shelter – you may have seen the Cheers My Darling art before. It had the honor of being on public display for two months. But this particular piece was NOT for SALE.
Why am I finally giving this canvas away now? Well, it’s simply because:
- I want it in the home of someone who I’m sure will love it like I do.
- It’s valuable to me because it’s long been part of the Sugarluxe Studio.
- I want the winner to receive a gift that NO ONE else will ever have.
Ruby Moon will be around for years to come…but this is a version that I had made just for my studio. The “my darling” part is so exquisitely old school and I just can’t wait to share it with you.
Do you want to win? Do you? Do you want this REALLY BAD???
If so, make sure you are familiar with the Official Rules. You must subscribe or have already subscribed via email.
Plus, even if you’ve already commented elsewhere, remember – you need to leave a comment on this post telling me how much you love me would love to have this canvas…and STUMBLE IT, you can BLOG ABOUT IT, or POST the LINK ON FACEBOOK (and tag me so I know about it) to earn extra entries into the Grand Prize Drawing.
Retail Value? Priceless.
——————————————————– WINNER ANNOUNCED ——————————————————–
UPDATE March 2, 2009:
Little did I know that last Monday would set off what would end up being both the most fun, and the most gut-wrenching giveaway to date. With each remarkable comment, my heart sank. I was so excited for who might win, while I often felt like I would be letting down at least 50 other people. As someone who doesn’t much like to disappoint…it’s been tougher than I thought it would be.
Everyone brightened my days, many people made me laugh out loud. But in the end…this past week’s contest really came down to who could spread the word about Sugarluxe the most. Not in a spammy, click the site all day kind of way…but by being someone who brought in MORE unique visitors, turned on MORE people to Sugarluxe, and introduced my art to MORE people than anyone else - and that person is…
wait for it
wait for it
Stean P. – YOU are the GRAND PRIZE WINNER!
You were relentless, involved, fun, relentless (did I already say that?) and you sent the MOST pageviews and MOST unique visitors to both Sugarluxe and the Sugarluxe Blog! You did an amazing job and you certainly deserve this piece. As much as I never thought in a million years that it would end up in the man cave we’ve all heard so much about – you definitely earned it. You are a genuine FAN, a true FRIEND and a FANTASTIC commentator.
CONGRATULATIONS!!
P.S. There are four other people who followed close behind Stean and deserve credit too. Want to find out who they are? Read more about the BONUS PRIZE in this week’s newest post.
