EMERALD - PANTONE'S COLOR FOR 2013

Pantone selected Emerald 17-5641 as their top color pick for 2013.

Emerald is associated with luxury, elegance, royalty, and red carpet couture. It's easily interpreted into both women's and men's fashion, clothing, and accessories. Emerald is flattering to all: women and men, all skin tones, all body shapes and sizes.

For the home, however, emerald is a powerful color. For home use, I suggest integrating it  through the use of accents and accessories. Add a splashes of color to the living room with toss pillows and throws. In the kitchen and dining room areas add emerald dinnerware, serving pieces, or glassware (some, not all of them). Find bedding with emerald worked into the pattern of bedspreads, pillows, area rugs, or drapery trim. Emerald touches add elegance to an entry hall, powder room, or study.  

If it's drama you're after, paint a glossy emerald on the walls and ceilings of a powder room. Paint all the woodwork an eggshell black or graphite, and select a black toilet and vessel sink with brass fixtures. Add brass accessories that includes a mirror with a brass-colored frame. The good news is that a powder room is small, and you can easily repaint next year when Pantone announces its color for 2014.

"The most abundant hue in nature, the human eye sees more green than any other color in the spectrum," said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. "As it has throughout history, multifaceted Emerald continues to sparkle and fascinate. Symbolically, Emerald brings a sense of clarity, renewal and rejuvenation, which is so important in today's complex world. This powerful and universally-appealing tone translates easily to both fashion and home interiors."