Cool Tones for Trendy Living on the Costa del Sol
So you’ve bought a new home in southern Spain (obviously from Villa Marbella Now!) and now you want to add some personal touches and creative flair. For those who like to stray abreast of latest trends, one of the most eagerly awaited announcements in December is the identity of Pantone’s “Colour of the Year” for 2018.
And the winner this year is… Ultra Violet. The hue is described by the New Jersey-based colour institute as, “A dramatically provocative and thoughtful purple shade (that) communicates originality, ingenuity and visionary thinking that points us toward the future. Complex and contemplative, Ultra Violet suggests the mysteries of the cosmos, the intrigue of what lies ahead, and the discoveries beyond where we are now. The vast and limitless night sky is symbolic of what is possible and continues to inspire the desire to pursue a world beyond our own.”
Clearly Pantone take it all quite seriously. As Pantone Colour Institute vice president Laurie Pressman declared, “The Pantone Colour of the Year has come to mean so much more than ‘what’s trending’ in the world of design; it’s truly a reflection of what’s needed in our world today.
“As individuals around the world become more fascinated with colour and realise its ability to convey deep messages and meanings, designers and brands should feel empowered to use colour to inspire and influence. The Colour of the Year is one moment in time that provides strategic direction for the world of trend and design.”
As far as this year’s colour is concerned, Pantone notes that, “Enigmatic purples have also long been symbolic of counterculture, unconventionality and artistic brilliance. Musical icons Prince, David Bowie and Jimi Hendrix brought shades of Ultra Violet to the forefront of western pop culture as personal expressions of individuality. Nuanced and full of emotion, the depth of Pantone 18-3838 Ultra Violet symbolises experimentation and non-conformity, spurring individuals to imagine their unique mark on the world, and push boundaries through creative outlets.
“Historically, there has been a mystical or spiritual quality attached to Ultra Violet. The colour is often associated with mindfulness practices, which offer a higher ground to those seeking refuge from today’s over-stimulated world. The use of purple-toned lighting in meditation spaces and other gathering places energises the communities that gather there and inspire connection.”
Pantone’s enthusiasm is not always shared by industry professionals. One expert, San Francisco-based interior designer Jennifer Ott, wrote on the authoritative Houzz website, “While I can see this shade being a hit on fashion catwalks, I have a feeling it will receive mixed reviews when it comes to decorating, due to its intensity. Last year’s selection for 2017, Greenery, while also a bold choice, was relatively easy to integrate into the home because we tend to favourably associate green with nature. It almost works as a neutral. In my work as an architectural colour consultant, I did notice a slight uptick in demand for Greenery-esque hues after last year’s announcement, but mostly in the form of small accents, like on a front door.
“It’s important to point out that these annual colour selections are not a call to redecorate one’s home in the latest trendy hues. Few of us have the budget or wherewithal to redo our décor every year. But my advice to those who are drawn to a particular colour when it gets anointed as ‘on-trend’ is that it will suddenly become easier to find furnishings and decorative accessories in that hue. So this means 2018 will be a good year to stock up on all things purple, if you love the colour.”
Luxury Living
For those who are still looking for their new home on the Mediterranean coast, the lavish contemporary villa in Benahavís featured here (and priced at €3,700,000) would make a perfect artist’s easel to experiment with Ultra Violet hues.
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