Feeling Blue: Pantone 2020 Color of the Year

For design geeks like us, the announcement of the Pantone Color of the Year is akin to the Academy Award Nominations. It reflects not only on the direction of design trends, but the overall mood of the world in general. I know, some of you are rolling your eyes at that statement, but bear with me for a minute. Think of the 1970s with the emergence of the hippie, naturalist, conservationist culture. The first Earth Day in 1970 was the birth of the modern evironmental movement. What were the prevailing colors found in almost every home in the 1970s? Earth tones. Every single one of us had kitchen appliances in Avocado Green or Harvest Gold, and the earthy colors permeated throughout the home. Except maybe in the little girls' rooms where pastel Holly Hobbie bedding reigned supreme. 

Image: Mindfuldaze

The past two Colors of the Year; Ultra Violet in 2018 and Living Coral in 2019 were enigmatic, thoughtful, and expressive. They spoke to visionary thinking and optimistic, joyful pursuits. They were about what is possible in the world. Now, in 2020, the future of our world might not appear to be so optimistic, and therefore, we need a color that assures us that things will be ok. Introducing Classic Blue. ​

According to the Pantone Color Institute, "We are living in a time that requires trust and faith. It is this kind of constancy and confidence that is expressed in PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue, a solid and dependable blue hue we can always rely on."
Blue has always been an integral color in the aesthetic of Shauna Glenn Design. It lives outside of the core neutrals of gray, brown, black and white, yet it has a neutral feel all its own. It can be adventurous or conservative and we love this Classic Blue hue because it makes its home somewhere in the middle. For color fans like us, Classic Blue is the perfect color to build on; playing well with coral, teal, chartreuse and pink. A blue chair in the living room, or a blue velvet headboard in the bedroom adds a great pop of color without feeling like you are committing to something super trendy. We love a great blue wallpaper too to brighten up a bathroom. Need some inspiration? Check out some of our favorite projects. 

And check out our Feeling Blue shop for more inspo on how to add blue to your space!