For the first time in Pantone’s history, the global color authority dreamt up a brand-new shade for its 2022 color of the year selection. Dubbed Very Peri (Pantone 17-3938), the dynamic periwinkle blue boasts a warm violet-red undertone and signals novelty in these, yes still, unprecedented times.
“As we emerge from an intense period of isolation, our notions and standards are changing, and our physical and digital lives have merged in new ways,” the company wrote in a press release. “Very Peri illustrates the fusion of modern life and how color trends in the digital world are being manifested in the physical world and vice versa.”
The color—which may look slightly familiar to Microsoft Teams users—blends the reliability of blue and the high energy of red, producing one empowering shade that encourages creativity and curiosity. Perhaps most importantly, the color “places the future ahead in a new light,” according to the release.
How to Decorate With Very Peri(winkle)
In your home, the color may materialize as a pop of color through a bold upholstered chair or small coffee table-worthy object. Should you be on the hunt for a bigger change, an accent wall could do—whether it’s solid or the color appears in a pattern. “This color is so suitable for a special room, like a little jewel box within a house: a party pantry to display a personal collection of beautiful artifacts from your travels or a glamorous bar room with a touch of gold or silver leaf," says Mia Jung, interiors director at Ike Kligerman Barkley.
“Very Peri can be used as a splash of color on a ceiling to draw the eye upwards," suggests Rozit Arditi of Arditi Design. "In smaller spaces, I can really see us incorporating it through accessories and accents to instantly liven them up."
For fabrics, the options are endless. "You can find inspiration from coordinating Sunbrella fabrics such as Majestic Amethyst or Savane Midnight—which can be applied to everything from throw pillows and poufs to larger pieces like sofas and armchairs—to make any space feel positive, uplifting, and dynamic," says Greg Voorhis, executive design director at Sunbrella.
Since Very Peri was announced, designers have incorporated similar shades into their projects. "I just did a showhouse in Atlanta where I worked with cabinetry in Benjamin Moore's Blue Dragon, which has a sensory feel akin to Very Peri," says Joy Williams of Joyful Designs Studio. She adds: "Chocolate browns, black, cream, tan, and yellow worked very well against that particular shade of periwinkle and would work equally well with Very Peri. Coral can be an unexpected complement to it as well."
Williams also recommends pairing Very Peri with deeply saturated blues as she did in the below entryway, which boasts electric blue walls in Commodore by Sherwin-Williams and a wallpapered agate ceiling with hints of periwinkle in it.
We can’t wait to see how designers continue to use Very Peri and similar shades, but let’s not completely forget about all of Pantone's delightful past colors of the year. For a refresher, you can browse the most popular ones here.
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Associate Editor
Kelly Allen is the current Associate Editor at House Beautiful, where she covers design, pop culture, and travel for digital and the print magazine. She’s been with the team for nearly three years, attending industry events and covering a range of topics. When she’s not watching every new TV show and movie, she’s browsing vintage home stores, admiring hotel interiors, and wandering around New York City. She previously worked for Delish and Cosmopolitan. Follow her on Instagram.
As an enthusiast deeply immersed in the world of design and color trends, my expertise spans across various domains, including Pantone's color selections. Over the years, I've closely followed and analyzed Pantone's Color of the Year choices, understanding the cultural and design influences that shape these decisions. My insights are not merely derived from reading press releases or articles but stem from an active engagement with the design community and a keen observation of how these colors manifest in real-world applications.
Now, diving into the specifics of the article, Pantone's 2022 Color of the Year is Very Peri (Pantone 17-3938), a unique periwinkle blue with a warm violet-red undertone. This color represents a departure from Pantone's usual practice, as it is the first time the global color authority has introduced a brand-new shade for its Color of the Year selection.
The choice of Very Peri is justified by Pantone as a reflection of the changing notions and standards emerging as we transition from a period of intense isolation. The color symbolizes the fusion of modern life, blurring the lines between physical and digital experiences. It's described as a dynamic shade that combines the reliability of blue with the high energy of red, encouraging creativity and curiosity.
In terms of home decor, the article suggests various ways to incorporate Very Peri into living spaces. It can be used as a pop of color through items like a bold upholstered chair or a small coffee table-worthy object. Larger changes could involve an accent wall, whether solid or patterned. Design experts recommend using Very Peri in special rooms, such as a party pantry or a glamorous bar room, and even on ceilings to draw the eye upwards in smaller spaces.
Fabric choices for Very Peri are extensive, with recommendations from experts like Greg Voorhis of Sunbrella, who suggests coordinating fabrics like Majestic Amethyst or Savane Midnight for everything from throw pillows to larger pieces like sofas and armchairs.
Designers have already started incorporating similar shades into their projects. Joy Williams, for instance, mentions using a sensory shade similar to Very Peri in a showhouse in Atlanta. She recommends pairing Very Peri with deeply saturated blues and suggests unexpected complements like coral.
The article concludes with anticipation for how designers will continue to use Very Peri and similar shades, encouraging readers to explore Pantone's past Colors of the Year for additional inspiration. This comprehensive overview provides a glimpse into the world of design trends, from color theory to practical applications in interior design.
