And so it begins…the season of Color of the Year 2022 announcements from the various big paint companies. And so far, it seems green is really having a moment. Our innate need to connect with nature is certainly a part of that. If the last year and a half has taught us anything, it is the importance of a life-giving connection to the beauty around us in nature.
And green is nature’s neutral, appearing in nearly every living plant. This means greens will generally pair well with a broad range of colors from neutral whites, grays, beiges, and taupes, to any number of accent colors.
Sherwin Williams Color of the Year 2022
Earlier today, Sherwin Williams announced their pick of Evergreen Fog for their Color of the Year, Evergreen Fog is a complex earthy gray green that works equally as well for an exterior house color as it does for a room color.
There has been a trend toward warmer neutrals, of late…the return of ,gasp, beige along with a parade of taupe shades usurping the popularity of ubiquitous cool grays. I would argue that green qualifies as a neutral for its ability to play well with pretty much every other color, so it is no surprise to see a warmer neutral gray green emerge as the COTY.
image via Sherwin Williams
image via Sherwin Williams
image via Sherwin Williams
This works beautifully with soft whites like the ever popular Alabaster, or the slightly deeper Shoji White. It also balances perfectly with taupes like Elephant Ear. And it is an excellent foil for a classic like In the Navy, or a warm red like Bolero.
Behr Color of the Year 2022
And recently Behr announced their color of the year. Last year, they cheated and selected a whole palette of colors instead of just one. They were not the only company to hedge their bets with multiple hues (here is the roundup of the last years picks), but blessedly they are back to a single color this year, and it is a pretty one!
The Behr color of the year is a sea glass shade of green with a cooler, coastal hue called Breezeway. Breezeway is a more pastel shade with a casual fresh feel. Paired with Whisper White and Cracked Pepper and it is a perfect farmhouse cottage combination. Add Studio Clay , a neutral the color of beach sand, or weathered bleached wood finishes, and it echoes a coastal palette. More coastal accents that pair well are watery shades of Dark Cobalt Blue, and Ocean Abyss. For a playful contrast add a warm garden color like Ligonberry Punch.
Image via Behr
Stay tuned for the Benjamin Moore Color of the Year announcement, coming mid October!
Color of the Year announcements and the curated color pairings with them can offer inspiration and spark new ideas. While color of the year announcements are fun and tend to reflect current design and fashion trends, they certainly do not mean you have to repaint your house to be “in style”.
Your home should, above all, reflect your personality and preferences so that it is a haven that supports and uplifts YOU! Paint colors should always be chosen to be fitting for the house, the location and architecture, and the inhabitants.
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