been there, done that

Pantone announces TURQUOISE as its new COLOR of the YEAR for 2010.

From the Pantone website: “In many cultures, Turquoise occupies a very special position in the world of color,” explains Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “It is believed to be a protective talisman, a color of deep compassion and healing, and a color of faith and truth, inspired by water and sky. Through years of color word-association studies, we also find that Turquoise represents an escape to many – taking them to a tropical paradise that is pleasant and inviting, even if only a fantasy.”

Whether envisioned as a tranquil ocean surrounding a tropical island or a protective stone warding off evil spirits, Turquoise is a color that most people respond to positively. It is universally flattering, has appeal for men and women, and translates easily to fashion and interiors. With both warm and cool undertones, Turquoise pairs nicely with any other color in the spectrum. Turquoise adds a splash of excitement to neutrals and browns, complements reds and pinks, creates a classic maritime look with deep blues, livens up all other greens, and is especially trend-setting with yellow-greens.

[Insert from Debbie - well I'll be darned! Just my luck! Back in 1991 I decorated my whole basement in this very color of turquoise - we called it "teal" back then. The bathroom trim looked just like the photos in the photo grid. The carpet was turquoise and the walls in the TV room were a deeper more sophisticated turquoise. We loved it for ten years then hated it for eight. Tore it all out and repainted a year and a half ago. If only we'd known!! We could be so "IN" right now. Word to the wise - don't use much of this color - you get tired of it REALLY fast.]

The turquoise announcement is being blogged about on all the design blogs on the 'net. Here's what Apartment Therapy said on their blog:

We've always known that Apartment Therapy has some forward thinking readers and you just proved us right again! Turquoise was recently named Pantone's Color of the Year for 2010, but many of you have been infusing turquoise into your decor for the past few years. It must be because you already recognized its strength - having both warm and cool tones it compliments an endless array of colors. See grid of photos for reader examples - thanks to the Apartment Therapy website.

Following are two photos from a LOVELY store called French Garden House with more acceptable (to me) uses of turquoise - softened and used as an accent color in a dining room, and turquoise used in accessories such as the turquoise votive holders illustrating that a bit of the "in" color goes a long way!