Rose Quartz and Serenity: 2016 Colors of the Year

What decorating trends will be hot for 2016?

If the color company Pantone is right, baby blue and pink might be appearing frequently.

Well, Rose Quartz and Serenity, to be exact, the two Pantone Colors of the Year for 2016.

'As consumers seek mindfulness and well-being as an antidote to modern day stresses, welcoming colors that psychologically fulfill our yearning for reassurance and security are becoming more prominent,” wrote Pantone Color Institute Executive Director Leatrice Eiseman in the announcement. 'Joined together, Rose Quartz and Serenity demonstrate an inherent balance between a warmer embracing rose tone and the cooler tranquil blue, reflecting connection and wellness as well as a soothing sense of order and peace.”

Pantone is a widely acknowledged authority on color trends. It provides standardized colors to industries, including fashion and design, and long has been introducing a color of the year reflecting wider trends. This year's gentle tones are a contrast to last year's color, Marsala, a rich red wine. This is the first time it has announced two colors.

'In many parts of the world we are experiencing a gender blur as it relates to fashion, which has in turn impacted color trends throughout all other areas of design,” Eiseman wrote. 'This more unilateral approach to color is coinciding with societal movements toward gender equality and fluidity, the consumer's increased comfort with using color as a form of expression, a generation that has less concern about being typecast or judged and an open exchange of digital information that has opened our eyes to different approaches to color usage.”

Pantone recommends pairing Rose Quartz and Serenity with other mid-tones, including greens and purples, rich browns and all shades of yellow and pink. Add in silver or hot brights for splash and sparkle.

Home decorators easily can incorporate new color schemes into rooms with accents such as pillows, accent chairs and rugs.

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