Pantone Colour of the Year 2021

As the design world waited with bated breath for the announcement of the Pantone Colour of the Year 2021 - Cormar Carpets, ever the trend leaders of their industry were already one step ahead of the game!

When we were in the planning stages of creating a room set for one of our annual photoshoots, we wanted to illustrate our feeling of positivity for the coming year. In these times of uncertainty and unease, we felt the chosen colours would bring a fresh hope- not your usual Christmas colour scheme, but one that would bring a touch of positive anticipation and a freshness to our lives that could last all year - these colours are not just for Christmas, this subtle combination will see us through to the brighter times and better days in 2021 and that’s why we chose a soft gentle palette of grey and pale yellow.

It was no surprise to the design team at Cormar that Pantone chose this fabulous combination too. Heralding a new beginning and a fresh start, Pantone has chosen not one but two colours – ‘Ultimate Grey’ and ‘Illuminating’ - a gentle combination with bold connotations. This is only the second time that Pantone’s choice has been a colour duo. The previous time this happened was 2016, with colours Rose Quartz and Serenity being chosen as a reflection of the world's uncertainties and to offer optimistic comfort through colour.

So, in these unprecedented times, it seems wholly appropriate for the colour experts to treat us to another exciting combination. The question on everyone’s mind is why have these colours been chosen? What do they stand for and represent? Ultimately, they represent unity, symbolising and solidarity, which is needed for the year ahead. There is much to say on colour theory, but essentially, the power of colours has been examined extensively as early as the 1920’s - a realisation that a colour palette could evoke mood and emotion.

Back to 2021 where Pantone describes Ultimate Grey as representing a practical, steadfast mood, demanded by the pandemic. Its sunny partner illustrates optimism for the future. The yellow sends out a warm, welcoming message supported by its solid and dependable grey counterpart, making it a perfect choice for interiors and pulling us out of the gloom of 2020.

Combining yellow and grey is not a new thing - it’s always been a successful union but for Cormar to have opted for this colour choice is more than coincidence, it’s about having your finger on the pulse of trends and design which Cormar pride themselves on.

During the planning of our shoot, we decided on using a grey base and accessorising with touches of both yellow and grey - a stunning combination neutralised by the fabulous Primo Grande carpet in the colour Snow Drift, chosen to act as a perfect backdrop for these two colours. Designer and style guru, Jonathan Adler, called the duo a ‘pleasing, soothing, soft and pretty combination- soft grey with light yellow feels like morning. Grey is the worker bee and yellow is the Queen’.

So, there we have it! If you’re looking to try a new colour combination then don’t be shy, this classical choice will create harmony in your home - and after a year like this, isn’t that just what we need!

Take a look at all of our grey carpets here, and then use our free sample service to get three swatches delivered to your door.

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Pantone Colour of the Year 2021

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