Different, But Related – The 2018 Color of the Year Family

Our world of color is coming together.  The 2018 Color of the Year declarations by major paint companies and Pantone are more like a family gathering, different but related.  Hue and tone, reasons and rationalizations may not be identical twins but this year’s favored color selections bear some common lineage.

Key themes for the color picks include attributes of strength, creativity, comfort, mindfulness, mystery and timelessness.  It’s a lot for a single color choice – can one color do all that?  Pantone says it best; color “has always been an integral part of how a culture expresses the attitudes and emotions of the times.”

Blue dominates and influences the majority of 2018 Color of the Year family members.  Whether purple, green or black, each hue draws some heritage from blue, a favorite child.  Blends of blue with green are especially prevalent inspired by nature, evoking a calming sanctuary – antidote for harried, digitally-driven lives surrounded by high-tech, neutralized, contemporary interior spaces.

Two outliers, one pink and one red, are included with this year’s choices.  These color members are the family’s recessive genes with some inherited characteristics and a spirit all their own; yet they play well with others, pink and red pair nicely with many of the cooler tones.  It’s a happy family.

2018 Color of the Year Family 

Dunn Edwards, The Green Hour, a dark shade of blue, gray, green

• Mysterious
• Creative
• Timeless

Behr, In the Moment, a spruce blue coalescence of blue, gray, green

• Mindful
• Restorative
• Tranquil

Sherwin Williams, Oceanside, a complex, deep, green-meets-blue tone

• Elusive
• Creative
• Timeless

PPG, Black Flame, a black with indigo undertones

• Comforting
• Strong
• Classic

Pantone, Ultra Violet, a blue-based purple shade

• Enigmatic
• Contemplative
• Dramatic

AkzoNobel, Heartwood, a warm-toned pink

• Comforting
• Calming
• Nurturing

Benjamin Moore, Caliente, a vibrant shade of red

• Charismatic
• Spirited
• Confident