For over 20 years, Pantone’s Color of the Year has influenced product development and purchasing decisions in multiple industries, including fashion, home furnishings, and industrial design, as well as product packaging and graphic design. This year and only the second time in over 20 years, Pantone has selected two colors as their Color of the Year. The first time was in 2015, when Rose Quartz and Serenity were chosen and meant to blend into each other, reflecting the recognition of gender fluidity and social progress. But this year, 17-5104 Ultimate Gray + 13-0647 Illuminating are meant to stand on their own, as complementary tones, supporting each other. In short, gray and yellow.

Pantone describes Illuminating as a "bright and cheerful yellow sparkling with vivacity, a warming yellow shade imbued with solar power." This optimistic hue is paired with Ultimate Gray, a color that is "emblematic of solid and dependable elements which are everlasting and provide a firm foundation." Ultimate Gray is inspired by natural elements, like pebbles on a beach, that have a weathered appearance but prove they can stand the test of time.

"The union of an enduring Ultimate Gray with the vibrant yellow Illuminating expresses a message of positivity supported by fortitude. Practical and rock solid but at the same time warming and optimistic, this is a color combination that gives us resilience and hope. We need to feel encouraged and uplifted, this is essential to the human spirit." - Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute.

Practical and rock solid but at the same time warming and optimistic, the union of PANTONE 17-5104 Ultimate Gray + PANTONE 13-0647 Illuminating is one of strength and positivity. It is a story of color that encapsulates deeper feelings of thoughtfulness with the promise of something sunny and friendly.

How do you bring this bright color combo into your NEMA San Francisco home? Ultimate Gray and Illuminating make a beautiful color combination for living rooms, kitchens, bedrooms, and more:

- Pillows, area rugs, throw blankets, wall art, and other accessories offer a simple way to try out Pantone's colors of the year without going all-in on new furniture

- Antique pottery is a unique way to include Ultimate Gray and create a dynamic space

- Ultimate Gray could also be used for a textured wall to add an extra, super visual addition to a room

- The kitchen is a great place to use Illuminating accents like glassware, towels or small appliances to add a bright, vibrant appeal

- Choose textiles in gray and yellow tones to add another layer of comfort to bedrooms

A message of happiness supported by fortitude, the combination of cool gray + sunshine yellow is aspirational and gives us hope. We need to feel that everything is going to get brighter – this is essential to the human spirit.

Tag us on Instagram and show us how you have incorporated 17-5104 Ultimate Gray + 13-0647 Illuminating into your NEMA spaces!

Image Credit: Pantone

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