Living Coral: A Sea Change

What can go wrong when you celebrate a design-forward palette? Not much, according to Pantone LLC, an entity devoted to the wonderful world of color. Pantone shades appear as go-to matching guides for artists, interior designers, and just about everyone engaged in a pursuit of imagery.

For 2019, the nod goes to “Living Coral” as Pantone’s Color of the Year designation. And there are good reasons why.

First, it never hurts when old and new engender the same emotion. Coral is a fave; a mainstay from Mid-Century days among cutting edge designers. Its rich melon base with a spicy red ingredient woke up living rooms, apparel, and even some automobiles with warmth and pizzazz.
Living Coral emulates its ancestor, but adds in a pinkish tone that brightens. It offers golden undertones to embellish warm palettes. And it enlivens both infrastructure and accent décor with a personality all its own.
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Coral’s origin is, of course, rooted in cold water ocean reef environments. Its heyday in wearability celebrated fashionable necklaces, bracelets, and rings. The substance comes in a variety of shades, but for consumer purposes, the melon-based hue is most popular.

PANTONE 16-1546 is the official title of this award-winning shade, and the adverb “living” is a fitting addition to a shade that is livening up interior décor. This delightful Majorca cotton throw showcases the gorgeous, bright hue in a fabulous spread that blends beautifully with a linen ensemble. Primo décor empire Anthropologie tempts shoppers with a soft version of Living Coral in its elegant Velvet Elowen Chair, a delicate retro gem that stands out in any room.

Bathrooms also need a boost of rich hues, and this high quality set of cotton bath towels from Superior freshen a powder room with a burst of exciting Living Color color.

In the mood to make Living Coral a dominant theme in any space? Try this enticing Herbario wallpaper from Finnish designer Ivana Helsinki. Its charming symmetrical arrangement of delicate florals soften the Pantone winner with a graceful look.
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Experimenting with provocative colors when creating or redesigning a living space is a fun pursuit, but settling on a final look can be a daunting experience. Follow the rules of cohesive blending and smart contrasting, and stick to your signature design stamp to fashion a space that reflects the essence of your personality. If it includes Living Coral, you’ll be experiencing a trending palette with an ocean of possibilities.