Art of Home: This year it’s pink and blue — in the right measure

Drumroll, please.

Pantone’s 2016 Color of the Year was officially announced last month: Rose Quartz and Serenity.

Huh?

For the first time in its 16 years of making these pronouncements, the New Jersey-based company has chosen two individual hues. Rose Quartz is a mineral pink and Serenity a light blue.

Pantone, which touts itself as “the authority” on color and is considered the dominant forecaster of color trends, every year chooses a color that it expects will influence home interiors and fashion runways.

In explaining the choice, the company cited “societal movements toward gender equality and fluidity, the consumer’s increased comfort with using color as a form of expression, a generation that has less concern about being typecast or judged and an open exchange of digital information that has opened our eyes to different approaches to color usage.”

Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, said the colors, which are meant to be paired, reflect “an inherent balance between a warmer embracing rose tone and the cooler tranquil blue, reflecting connection and wellness as well as a soothing sense of order and peace.”

Reaction tended more toward caution than surprise.

Joey Lawrence, a design associate at American-made furniture and accessories design house Room & Board at South Coast Plaza, said though the colors are soft and calming, one must prevent a space from looking too much like a baby nursery. That can be avoided by not using the two hues in full force.

He suggested pink or blue pillows and artwork incorporating the shades to achieve the same effect. And for a bolder but still low-commitment room refresh, people could go with an area rug in one of the colors, Lawrence said.

The colors already have been seen in men’s and women’s fashion, home decor, beauty products and graphic design.

Countertop appliance company KitchenAid in December announced its newly designated 2016 Color of the Year selection with a stand mixer represented in Guava Glaze, a warm pink tone based on Rose Quartz. The kitchen appliance will be added to the stand mixer color palette in July, which includes a blue option.

Cosmetic brand Sephora launched an assortment of cosmetics for eyes and lips with a new palette of watercolors that embrace the rose tone and cooler tranquil blue.

And designer-targeted home furnishing company Kravet presented a collection of paired fabrics in the blended shades for drapery and upholstery.

Shoppers at South Coast Plaza began seeing the colors reflected in clothing stores, including fashion retailer Forever 21.

A mannequin was dressed in a baby-pink cropped sweater and faded blue jeans. Another was styled in light-blue-wash denim pants, a T-shirt and a pink sweater tied at the waist.

Luxury couture line Chanel embraced the pairing by putting a spin on the colors — a window display showcased hot-pink clutches next to bright-blue handbags.

Jamie Davis, an assistant store manager at MAC Cosmetics, said she prefers wearing black for her job and can’t see herself adding light pink and blue to her closet.

“It’s very pretty, but I wouldn’t wear those colors,” said Davis, 29.

Diana Diaz of Anaheim visited the retail center with her family and newborn son Monday afternoon. She said she was not interested in shopping for clothing in the baby blue or pink hues.

“Those are not my colors,” she said, shaking her head no.

But Pantone said people should “never say never” when talking about a color. The new shades will pop up on a website, in a store window or on an anchor wearing it on television, and shoppers will begin to pick up on it and think of finding a piece in that shade, Eiseman said.

When picking the annual selection, the company’s color experts look for new color influences around the world, often including the entertainment industry and films in production, socioeconomic conditions and relevant social media platforms that capture worldwide attention, a company news release said.

The two colors chosen this year provide a contrast to the hectic lives people are living. The compatible shades evoke feelings of calmness, well-being and understanding, the release said.

And the pastel colors aren’t the only decorating trends forecast for 2016.

Lawrence predicted that geometrics will be a big look this year, since the style can be mixed with smaller accents like pattern pillows. The same motif can be incorporated with Moroccan design.

Consumers will also be bold in selecting jewel tone and metallics for accent and main pieces, he said.

However, he also warned that some things won’t change, like the favored mid-century modern design and related furnishings — think pieces organic in form and less formal. The look remains a favorite because of its clean lines and versatility.

To stay up to date with current trends and technology, Lawrence noted a variety of resources, including magazines and home websites like Houzz.com. But before jumping on the latest fad, it’s important to recognize personal preferences. Look no further than finding inspiration from a wardrobe.

“The patterns, fabrics and color combinations that you like to wear are likely what you’d like to live with as well,” Lawrence said.