 FEBRUARY 4 • 2021 | 33

in soft sectional.
“These colors intermingle 
well and lend themselves to bold 
graphic statements. The energy 
of the yellow is given additional 
power because it is juxtaposed to 
the quiet strength of the gray, and 
in this case, also the black and 
white.
”
Jill Schumacher, founding 
partner of Rariden Schumacher 
Mio, in Birmingham, agrees with 
Weinstein that the dual palette 
has a vintage vibe. “This year’s 
colors are so fresh and current, 
yet feel retro and fun,
” she says. 
“Illuminating yellow screams 1960s 
fashion — think Italy and London 
— so chic.
“The bright yellow is a much-
needed lift for our eyes as we lean 
into 2021,
” Schumacher says. “
And 
the Ultimate gray is anything but a 
standard gray — it has a crispness 
that makes its combination with 
the Illuminating really snap. The 
color combination is ready for a 
children’s space yet sophisticated 
for a family room or stylish new 
office space.
”
Or a kitchen, which is where she 

recently used this color-combo for 
a client.
“I created a built-in banquette 
seat covered in a textured gray 
performance fabric and accented 
it with back cushions with a small 
triangle pattern of citron yellow 
and gray,
” Schumacher says. “The 
cabinets were a medium-gray 
topped with white porcelain and 
we made a custom table with a 
criss-cross ‘pick-up sticks’ style table 
base in a powder-coated white — 
creating a crisp, coordinated look.
”
“The Pantone Color of the Year 
reflects what is taking place in our 
global culture, expressing what 
people are looking for that color 
can hope to answer.
” added Laurie 
Pressman, vice president of the 
Pantone Color Institute. “
As society 
continues to recognize color as a 
critical form of communication, 
and a way to symbolize thoughts 
and ideas, many designers and 
brands are embracing the language 
of color to engage and connect.
”
In other words, let’s look forward 
to a sunshiny-yellow future on the 
horizon — or at least a return to 
normalcy. 

Polka dot wall stickers

Sunshiny 
’60s fashions

PHOTOS - PRESS LOFT

1 Original BTC brand light fixture.
2 Even subtle splashes of color can evoke the emotions
of the Pantone combination, seen here in a throw from
Heating-and-plumbing.com. 
3 Harris Tweed bench with yellow hairpin legs.

1

2

3

