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Pantone’s 2016 Color of the Year: Rose Quartz and Serenity

In a delightfully surprising move, Pantone has selected not one, but two colors of the year for 2016. The winning hues: a blushing pink with peach undertones, and a peaceful blue that borders slightly on periwinkle. Say hello to Rose Quartz and Serenity. In an increasingly hectic world, this calming pairing of warm pink and cool blue tones celebrates tranquility, balance, inner peace, gender equality and more.

Rose Quartz and Serenity

Rather than referring to their choices as “colorS of the year,” Pantone is sticking to its “Color of the Year” concept, as the winning combination of these two hues (rather than their separate effects) is the true focus here. Imagine a sunset sky and the way its blue and pink tones create a soothing yet intriguing vibe… Below we’ve rounded up some of our favorite ways to bring Rose Quartz and Serenity home. Relax and enjoy!

Pantone Color of the Year 2016

Soothing Textiles

We begin with a hearty dose of peachy-rose for the living room. It’s the Elton Settee in Dusty Blush from West Elm, complete with deep tufting and a velvety finish:

Blush settee from West Elm

Need some pillows for your settee?! West Elm offers a selection of Luster Velvet Pillows. Check out the Dusty Blush and Dusty Blue varieties, which can be paired for a perfectly balanced match of warm and cool comfiness. 100% cotton velvet gets the job done:

Pink and blue pillows from West Elm

Next up: a pair of pillows from CB2, including the Leisure Blush 23″ Pillow and the Glitterati Slate 16″ Pillow. Once again, we see how the coupling of pink and blue tones creates a a lovely contrast, yet one with harmony:

Pair of pillows from CB2

This Soft-Washed Linen Duvet from Anthropologie brings comfort and warmth to the boudoir, and we’re loving the faded shade of peachy-pink, which is a softer version of Pantone’s Rose Quartz. There’s something inviting about this hue:

Rosy duvet cover from Anthropologie

The unique peachy feel of Rose Quartz is alive and well in Urban Outfitters’ Plum & Bow Samarkand Kilim Woven Rug, which features a geo pattern that also introduces earthy tones. Bonus: this cotton rug is quite affordable!

Rosy kilim rug from Urban Outfitters

Bring some pink and blue charm to the dining room in the form of Metallic Placemats from West Elm. We’re partial to the Rosette and Shimmer Blue selections, as they celebrate the warm and cool tranquility of Rose Quartz and Serenity. Plus, they’re woven with a dash of sparkle!

Metallic placemats from West Elm

You can also add tranquil flair to your dining table with West Elm’s Center Stripe Woven Runner in Moonstone. Blue becomes an uplifting statement, thanks to a crisp white background:

Blue and white dining table runner from West Elm

Vibrant Accessories

Looking to bring home Pantone’s latest featured hues in the form of accessories and tabletop accents? Don’t forget that Pantone has an online shop featuring an array of finds decked out in Serenity and Rose Quartz. A true classic: the Pantone Universe Mug with Gift Box. This year, the mug features two colors, of course!

Pantone mugs for 2016

And while we’re on the topic of drinkware, we can’t help but shine the spotlight on CB2’s Marta Light Pink Double Old-Fashioned Glasses. CB2 has been regularly featuring pink in its palette for awhile now, so they have plenty of rosy offerings that will make any Pantone enthusiast proud!

Pink drinkware from CB2

Another fabulous CB2 find: the Belay Pink Salad Plate, pictured in the pairing below. A hint of blush is always a good idea when it comes to tabletop style!

Pink salad plate from CB2

Arro Home’s beautifully designed collection of ceramics is filled with shades of Rose Quartz and Serenity. Display a grouping in your home, and don’t be afraid to add pieces that introduce darker and lighter shades of blue and pink for variety:

Colorful vases from Arro Home
Colorful vases from Arro Home

If you prefer solid hues when it comes to vases, check out CB2’s Askew Vase, made from earthenware by Portugese artisans. When it comes to interesting design, sometimes symmetry is overrated!

Pink sculptural vase from CB2

West Elm offers a series of Fleur + Frond Pad Printed Bowls, and we’re loving the light pink version, especially since it features a serene blue rim:

Ikat bowl from West Elm

Anthropologie’s Hobnail Pitcher in Sapphire evokes the interesting blue tone of Serenity. Use the pitcher to hold water at the dining room table, and accent it with blush napkins for a Pantone-inspired table!

Blue hobnail pitcher from Anthropologie

With a color like Rose Quartz on the rise, why not return to the source? The mineral rose quartz! Celebrate its natural beauty by ordering a sample to display at home, or purchase it in a collection, such as this Crystal + Stone Set from Urban Outfitters:

Minerals from Urban Outfitters

Kudos to Pantone for zoning in on two amazing colors that beautifully complement one another to make a truly interesting statement. 2016 will be the year of balance, peace and calm!

Kate Simmons

Kate Simmons is a freelance writer and design blogger with a love of all things decor. She spent her childhood writing stories and working on interior design-themed DIY projects. Kate’s published writing reflects her special interest in how design has changed through the decades. Her blog Mirror80 ( http://mirror80.com/) explores the fashion and [...]

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