The builder’s guide to Pantone’s colour of the year

The Pantone Colour Institute chose Classic Blue for its Colour of the Year because of its tranquillity and assurance – feelings than can be translated into a home when building with the blue hue.

Expect Classic Blue to be a colour prominently featured in home builds this year – after all, it’s been declared Colour of the Year by The Pantone Colour Institute.

Pantone has been an authority on colour standardisation since the 1960s and each year for the past two decades, its Colour Institute has undertaken careful consideration and trend analysis of a wide range of international factors, such as entertainment, fashion, travel, lifestyle and socio-economic conditions, to name a colour that best reflects the zeitgeist of the time.

So, why Classic Blue for 2020? “We are living in a time that requires trust and faith,” says Leatrice Eiseman, the institute’s Executive Director. “It is this kind of constancy and confidence that is expressed by Pantone 19-4052 Classic Blue, a solid and dependable blue hue we can always rely on.”

The shade is suggestive of the sky at dusk, which can evoke feelings of peace, tranquillity and reassurance. Pantone also describes the blue as “timeless and enduring”.

The annual selection of Colour of the Year influences all types of design, from product packaging to fashion and, of course, home architecture. Here are some ways that Classic Blue can be incorporated into a residential build.

Exteriors

This traditional shade of blue marks a return to classic tones and emphasises the connection between the home and ideas of stability, safety and security.

One way the colour can be brought into exterior elements of a build is through garden design. Using Classic Blue on fencing or sheds, complemented by garden greenery, creates a serene setting – the ultimate outdoor retreat.

A Classic Blue feature wall also works harmoniously with a range of coloured flowering plants, or could be used around pools for the ultimate resort feel.

For homes set to make a statement, Classic Blue can be used on awnings, gables, shutters or window frames. Pair with a Hamptons-style neutral brick for a sophisticated coastal aesthetic

Interiors

When used with the right colour palette indoors, Classic Blue can create an intimate mood and atmosphere. Interior design expert Wendy Moore showcases how to achieve the look in her Blue Mood colour scheme.

Moore uses indigo shades as both base and accent colours and burnished brass to balance the dark tones and add a touch of glamour. She says they’re perfectly suited to “formal lounge rooms, luxurious master suites and will hopefully inspire the return of the private ‘library’”.

While neutral-coloured kitchens still rate highly with homeowners, builders might consider adding Classic Blue on cabinetry or perhaps on the base of a kitchen island. Not only does the shade work beautifully with white (a perennial favourite), it adds a point of difference to a scheme, and evokes traditional design – a trending mood in interiors.

Pantone’s star hue could also be an option for bathroom tiles, a bathroom cabinet (paired with brass tapware), even a stand-out front door.

Wendy moore’s inspiration

For the style conscious homeowner, Wendy has taken her inspiration from both domestic and international trends, while keeping the selections relevant for the Australian lifestyle.

Each palette features different variations of Brickworks products and colours illustrating that whether your look is traditional or contemporary, there’s a design to suit every taste.

See more style inspiration here