PANTONE announces Ultimate Gray and Illuminating as the COLOUR of 2021

A view from the South Downs in Eastbourne towards a setting
sun over the English Channel. 
Photo by Lucia Carpio shot in September 2020. 

Like a spot of golden optimism amidst a sea of profound uncertainties, after a turbulent year impacted by the pandemic crisis, we look forward to hopeful days ahead with Covid-19 vaccines now being gradually rolling out, PANTONE's desiganted Colour(s) for 2021 highlight how different elements can come together to support one another. 

Practical and rock solid but at the same time warming and optimistic, the union of PANTONE 17-5104 Ultimate Gray + PANTONE 13-0647 Illuminating is one of strength and positivity, says PANTONE. It is a story of colour that encapsulates deeper feelings of thoughtfulness with the promise of something sunny and friendly.

As reported in the New York Times, Laurie Pressman the vice president of the Pantone Color Institute says, “No one color could get across the meaning of the moment. We all realized we cannot do this alone. We all have a deeper understanding of how we need each other and emotional support and hope.” Hence Leatrice Eiseman, the executive director of the Pantone said the decision to select “two independent colors really coming together.”

The Pantone experts did admit they did not start the process with a two-colour result in mind, but they realized early on that the stakes around the choice of colour for 2021 were very high and might demand a new approach.

“Grey is reassuring and perennial, and when paired with Illuminating in a mid-century style space, it results in a warm and inviting palette full of charisma.” 

Hayward Dove Grey L-Shape corner sofa from Furniture And Choice: Contemporary and spacious, the Hayward corner sofa is a stylish option for the living room.

From an interior design point of view,  the combination of the two colours are hardly revolutionary, although they do complement each other.

The Harlow sofa from Furniture And Choice
 has a stylish, Scandi-inspired design.  

Taking inspiration from Pantone's 2021 colours, Rebecca Snowden, Interior Style Advisor at UK's Furniture And Choice, has various advice.  She says: “Start with a grey sofa as a grounding base. Look for a structured profile with gentle curves and raised, tapered feet that are hallmarks of the style.  Introduce accents of Illuminating through accessories like pillows and artwork. Fun, thematic pieces like a sunburst rattan mirror can also help to visually brighten the space. Grey is reassuring and perennial, and when paired with Illuminating in a mid-century style space, it results in a warm and inviting palette full of charisma.”   

Over at Snug, The Sofa in a Box Company, they already have similar colourway vibes to Pantone’s winning shades. Their textured Mid Grey is available in The Big Chill and Rebel collections, and acts as a perfect neutral for your home styling. 

The Rebel 2-Seater sofa in Turmeric from Snugshack.co.uk

They also have the uplifting Turmeric, a Limited Edition colourway as part of the Rebel Collection. All Snug products are upholstered with big plump cushions and deep seats with either curved arms (from the trendy Rebel collection) or wide arms (from the calm and relaxing Big Chill collection). 

“After the troubles of 2020, we were delighted to see that Pantone had chosen such a positive colour combined with a reassuring partner. Yellow tones will always remind us of happy summer days whilst grey tones have been making an appearance in interiors for a while now – offering solidarity and familiarity."

Meanwhile wall murals expert Wallsauce.com has released its top five designs that complement the colour duo, focussing on Pantone’s definition of ‘A marriage of colour conveying a message of strength and hopefulness that is both enduring and uplifting’.  The wallpaper designs not only reflect the colours but also embraces their meanings with uplifting artwork that 2021 needs.

The on-trend custom-made Transparent Gold wall mural in mustard and grey from
Wallsauce is supplied in panels.

From pretty foliage and playful birds to a soothing watercolour design, all five wallpapers available at Wallsauce.com express positivity and happiness and are available to adorn walls to bring bright and cheerful décor to homes.

Wallsauce.com features Alliums and Heleniums wall mural.

Rachel Kenny, head of the design studio at Wallsauce.com says:  “After the troubles of 2020, we were delighted to see that Pantone had chosen such a positive colour combined with a reassuring partner. Yellow tones will always remind us of happy summer days whilst grey tones have been making an appearance in interiors for a while now – offering solidarity and familiarity. 

"We wanted to be able to make this positive shift available to every home, so our top five styles offer something for everyone. 'Transparent Gold' by Carol Robinson is a timeless design, whilst the 'Grey and Mustard Watercolour' is ultra-modern and a fairly new design for Wallsauce. Some of the wallpapers we have chosen to complement these colours are already amongst our best sellers!”