We gotta say, perhaps more so than any other COTY, the latest delivery from Pantone is right up our alley. Like straight down the middle, we know you’re coming, fastball…SWING *out of the park homer*, SPLASH *landing in Chesapeake Bay*. Grand-slam, game-winner.

Let us count the ways in which blue runs thru our Eastern Shore of Maryland veins: American flag, Atlantic Ocean, Chesapeake Bay, Great Blue Heron, blue crabs, blue skies, our favorite blue & white decor, etc. etc. etc. Are we missing anything?

We love rich, bold, deep colors so we’re stoked that Classic Blue has these strong qualities. Speaking of “depth”, Travel + Leisure lists a handful of places you can visit to see this color in the outside world, including “The Blue Hole” in Belize.

Excerpt “Of course, it’s no real surprise to us that this blue is so tranquil. After all, it’s reminiscent of water, which study after study proves has a calming effect on the human mind.” (‘Pantone’s Color of the Year Is a Traveler’s Dream’ by Travel + Leisure)

Pantone’s Classic Blue indeed has a fluid nature and, in the realm of interior design, is perfectly exemplified with #coastalstyle. Perhaps we’re understating it a bit. For a good majority of folks around here, Coastal is literally everything. We’re pretty sure you don’t need to travel all the way to Central America to find proof of this. Walk next door to the neighbor’s house. Your house (why did you walk next door?). Our Shop. Our houses. And so it goes. Prolly will never change for such a water-obsessed culture like we have here on the good ‘ole Eastern Shore. 

Interior design by Fiona Weeks for Dwelling & Design

We’ve been known to throw up a #mondayblues post or two on social media, basically encouraging ourselves to cheer up with a bit of reverse psychology. We’ll feature an attractive, blues-based showroom vignette or interior design project space. Feelings of positivity seem to wash over when blue is a part of the surroundings.

Nautical patterns and berry colors in showroom at Dwelling & Design

Ok, puns and sarcasms aside… yeah, we’re true blue lovers and aren’t ashamed to admit it.

A few other quotes in response to Pantone’s Color-of-the-Year announcement: 

“Blue, from an emotional, psychological standpoint, has always represented a certain amount of calm and dependability,” Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of Pantone’s Color Institute, tells Architectural Digest’s Anna Fixsen. “It’s a color that you can rely on.” 

“Pantone’s insights are perfectly aligned with interior design’s gradual return to traditional decorating styles. Blue unites classic design genres ranging from chinoiserie to Americana. “I don’t think there’s any question of it,” Eiseman says of this comeback, predicting a resurgence of lustrous blue taffetas and velvets. But, she adds, “We’re going to find some new twist, especially in their fabrication.” “ – Architectural Digest

https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/pantone-color-of-the-year-2020 

“Of course, it’s no real surprise to us that this blue is so tranquil. After all, it’s reminiscent of water, which study after study proves has a calming effect on the human mind.” – Travel + Leisure

https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/pantone-color-of-the-year-2020-classic-blue

Classic Blue & White China available at Dwelling & Design

“Blue and white decoration first became widely used in Chinese porcelain in the 14th century, after the cobalt pigment for the blue began to be imported from Persia. It was widely exported, and inspired imitative wares in Islamic ceramics, and in Japan, and later European tin-glazed earthenware such as Delftware and after the techniques were discovered in the 18th century, European porcelain. Blue and white pottery in all of these traditions continues to be produced, most of it copying earlier styles.” 

– ‘Blue and white pottery’ information by WIKIPEDIA

Interior design by Fiona Weeks for Dwelling & Design

For more Color-of-the-Year inspo, check out our new Pinterest board which features all things Classic Blue including the latest fashion, textiles and home decor of 2020.

What’s your opinion of this year’s Pantone selection? Do you think they nailed it or played it safe? Are you planning to incorporate some of this color in your home (or have you done so already)?