Color palettes are transformed from one year to another, thought by experts to translate into shades the moment we live in the world. Therefore, some color schemes remain the same vibe, or become darker or lighter, while others change completely.
In the spring and summer of 2016 we’ve seen a ressurgance of pastel tones. Under the name "candy colors" they are making a huge success in fashion. Quickly, success has spread to other areas and people have created adaptations. Suddenly, the pastels are taking over.
Since décor and fashion go hand in hand, its adaptation by designers was immediate, and extremely pretty! After a few years away from the market, designers embraced candy colors again, so palettes suggest softness for walls and decor items.
The choice for soft and delicate colors was already proved when Pantone elected the Rose Quartz and Serenity Blue as the tones of the year.This is no astrological forecast, but we are more likely to find walls painted in neutral nuances.This trend reflects the escape from stress and all the chaos that the world is going through.
These colors are not chosen at random.
According to Pantone, the selected colors are always a symbolic representation of the moment that they believe that we are living in the world today.
Rose Quartz and Serenity
Together, Rose Quartz and Serenity demonstrate a balance between a warmer pink tone and a cooler and tranquil blue, reflecting connection and well-being, and a harmonic sense of order and peace. Also according to Pantone, Rose Quartz and Serenity easily compose with other tones, such as green, purple, brown ,and all shades of pink and yellow.
Pastel Blue
Along with pastel colors, interior designers, homeowners, and stylists are also bringing back olive, denim, and plum tones. These tones mesh really well with pastel blue to create a unique and cozy atmosphere.
Pastels and White
When you choose to mix several pastel colors, not necessarily in the same tone, white is the ideal element to balance them. So the result is a clear environment, light and cheerful
Neutral Tones
Pastel colors were huge during the Art Deco era and had a comeback in the '80s. These milky, near neutral tones lack strong chromatic content, so they naturally help create a cozy and soothing ambiance.
You can therefore use soft tones in order to create a flared atmosphere that evokes warmth and softness.
You can combine the candy colors with stronger and more cheerful colors. When you add a color that draws more attention than the rest, it makes the other pastel colors act as neutral colors. Complementary colors such as blue and yellow or green and pink, work well with this technique.
Small Pastel Additions
Of course you don’t need to renovate your whole house in order to get on the trend boat. Just by adding a few items you can get an updated look to your room without spending too much. If this is the way you’re going it’s still important that the color combination is harmonic.
This DIY centerpiece is a simple and inexpensive way to jump on the pastel wagon. The pastel blooms inside will give a touch of trendiness to your room. Just make sure it goes well with the rest of the decoration.
Start Small
Pastel colors can also be incorporated little by little, creating light and illuminated areas. You can start with a lamp, with new a bookshelf arrangement or by choosing one single wall to paint. In the picture below we see how this young couple's small apartment was turned into a cozy and bright home by using inexpensive techniques and items, always respecting the color scheme.
The right use of delicate colors in the bookshelf arrangement, small investments in the kitchen, and the choice of one wall to paint turned this small apartment into a decoration case.
Sometimes it takes picking one corner of your house to show that you are up to date with the new trends. It is also a good approach if you want to test how well you will get along with it in the long run. You can go for a couple of items that are kept in the bookcase or make use of that Art Deco piece of furniture you didn’t realize was so beautiful and make it stand out. Have fun with the colors and create a fashionable niche in your house.
If you have been flirting with pastels but haven’t yet had the courage to undertake a complete renovation, starting with a corner of the room may be the way to go. Use items you already own and invest in colors.
These are just a few ways that you can incorporate these trendy colors into your decorating projects in a modern and fun way, yet harmonic. It is always important to learn how to dose them either with more vibrant palettes or with neutral colors like white (if you are mixing pastel tones) and other materials such as wood.
