Introducing Pantone’s Colour of the Year 2018 in your Living Spaces

Every year since 2000, the Pantone Colour Institute, of Pantone Inc. a U.S. corporation best known for the Pantone Matching System, declares a ‘Colour of the Year’. The Pantone Colour of the Year 2018 is Ultra Violet, ‘a dramatically provocative and thoughtful purple shade’, which is all about the notions of originality, ingenuity and visionary or futuristic thinking. Ultra Violet radiates a streak of individualism and personal expression, much like icons such as David Bowie, Prince and Jimi Hendrix infused it into their (musical) style.

The Pantone 18-3838 Ultra Violet is a strong colour that symbolises the will to be experimental and a non-conformist. On a spiritual level, the colour Ultra Violet is associated with mindfulness and mysticism, where tones of purple are used to adorn meditation spaces or other spaces that inspire a deeper sense of connection.

Much of the characteristics that define the Pantone Ultraviolet in fact hold true in the case of our individual personas as well. Often, we try to push boundaries and scale newer heights, suggesting dynamism and boldness. Naturally, the Pantone Ultra Violet is also the perfect colour to liven up our living spaces. Because, our homes are after all extensions of our individual personas.

Design Duo, Jamie Drake and Caleb Anderson of Drake/Anderson, New York have this to say about the Pantone Colour of the Year 2018, “Ultra Violet is a dynamic, bold hue, and we suggest going bold with its application”. They further add, “Use it on the walls for drama, or upholster a sofa in the rich color”.

We tell you how you can add that little extra drama to your living spaces, with this vibrant colour of the year.

Start Small
There is no denying the fact that colours like ultra-violet are used in interiors when you’re in for a big change. But this may be too big a step, so you might want to consider bringing in ultra-violet in a way that you don’t feel overwhelmed with the transformation. If painting your walls ultra-violet or installing violet furniture in your home, is something that you are not yet ready for, then you may make small changes at a time, such as, throwing in some ultra-violet rugs, or installing ultra-violet curtains. Minimal artifices, fresh blooms, and small furniture, will add a hint of freshness to your interior without completely transforming the entire space. While doing so, you will need to make sure that addition of ultra-violet ties it all together glamorizing the aesthetics.


Create Accents
Ultra violet certainly lends a sense of calm and ingenuity, but painting the entire house in the shades of violet may be something you might not be ready for. If you’re hesitant while dominating the interior with ultra violet, then you can create accents that will emphasise the important areas of your home. Start with painting a wall ultra violet, and keep the other walls light and in contrast with the accentuated one. Chic and elegant wall hangings tend to take the aesthetics a notch higher. You can experiment with furniture too. For instance, an ultra violet couch will create a focal point in your living room, making it look far from ordinary.


Ornamented Tiles
People who have a knack for doing things in an idiosyncratic manner tend to experiment with traditional methods. Similarly, the use of tiles is no longer restrained to just the bathroom. More and more people are using tiles to add a dash of colours to the interiors. You can find a variety of tiles that are unusually crafted with a balanced use of ultra-violet, and they can be used in kitchen areas, patches of floor, and even the fireplace wall. The liberty of using tiles is that you need not restrict yourself to block colours or fixed sizes. When arranged thoughtfully, tiles can create an artwork superior to any other, lending a luxe finesse to your interior. For anyone who is fond of bright hues in their retreat, can opt for tiles dominated with the ultra-violet, with a splash of other vibrant colours like orange, creating a unique multi-coloured mosaic.


Velvet in Violet
Velvet reflects the essence of violet brilliantly. Ultra-violet is a bold colour and soft texture of velvet immediately warms up the interiors by creating balanced aesthetics. You can opt for navy violet sofas complemented with other lighter shades or ultra violet rugs or throw pillows to liven up the space. Velvet is the perfect solution for those who are a little cautious while experimenting with colours. Violet adds an air of confidence and drama to the interior and if incorporated wisely, can do wonders for even the people who are less experimental.

There is always a first time to try something unique and dramatic. So, go ahead and make the best of this year and liven up your living spaces; make your home stand apart from the rest!