2015 will be all about focusing on the mind, body and spirit — at least that’s what you’d think based on the color that will rule next year. Marsala, revealed as the Pantone Color of the Year for 2015, is an earthy wine red that evokes a mindfulness that’s complex, rich and elegant.
“While PANTONE 18-3224 Radiant Orchid, the captivating 2014 color of the year, encouraged creativity and innovation, Marsala enriches our mind, body and soul, exuding confidence and stability,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, in a news release.
As the global color authority, Pantone is the trusted authority on color forecasting and trend reports, so expect to see Marsala everywhere in 2015, from the runways to home décor.
Bringing Marsala Home
Luckily, Marsala is versatile, making it especially easy to incorporate into your home in 2015 and beyond, says interior designer Michele Taylor, owner of Michele Taylor Interiors, a boutique interior design firm based in Bergen County, N.J.
“Marsala is rich and sophisticated, while at the same time grounding and earthy,” Taylor says. “Pantone’s 2015 Color of the Year is a chameleon. I can see that this earthy red-brown will enhance any home, whether it’s a traditional colonial, a modern organic ranch or a globally inspired apartment.”
As Pantone explains it, the color is a good choice in the kitchen and dining room: “Nurturing and filling, Marsala is a natural fit for the kitchen and dining room — making it ideal for tabletop, small appliances and linens throughout the home,” Eiseman explained in the news release.
Taylor agrees. “This hue makes you think of delicious wine and sauces, so it is natural for the kitchen and dining room,” she says. “Homeowners can easily add Marsala into these rooms with anything from dishes, appliances and linens to paint, area rugs and window treatments.”
Subtle Is Your Middle Name
“This is a color that everyone can incorporate into their living spaces without fear, as it will play off of the base palette most of us already utilize (grey, black, brown, beige, etc.),” says Faith Phillips, in-house design and trend expert with La-Z-Boy.
If you want to use Marsala in your home, but you don’t want to go big or spend too much money, Phillips suggests using just a touch of the color through accent pieces. A Marsala-colored pillow or throw blanket can add a pop of color to any sofa, she says. In addition to placing “artwork that has hints of this fantastic earth tone” in your home, Phillips also suggests incorporating “strategically placed accessories throughout the space, like vases, bowls, florals, etc.”
Go Big or Go Home
Some might feel you can’t get too crazy with this color, but Marsala’s deep reddish-brown tones create a soothing effect. That means you can go bolder than you think.
“For a bold, dramatic look, I would lacquer all four walls of an intimate space, like a dining room. A room lacquered in Marsala will envelope you in its warmth,” says Taylor. “It will be both stylish and inviting, perfect for intimate dinner parties.”
Marsala’s versatility makes it an ideal choice for home décor, whether you want to take a subtle or dramatic approach. For more ideas on how to bring Marsala into your home, check out the slideshow below.