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Holly Pagani, from Salt Interior Design, is here to answer all of your interior design questions!

QUESTION: I’ve read that the Pantone colours for 2021 are grey and yellow. What does that mean exactly and how do I use them?

ANSWER: You are right! The powers that be have decided that this year’s colours are Ultimate Gray and Illuminating Yellow. The Pantone Institute forecasts global colour trends and advises on colour for product and brand visual identity – these will ultimately be seen in homes, fashion and even car colours. Usually, they only pick one shade, but this year there are two.

I think that we may have been here before… Grey and yellow have been prevalent in home furnishings for the last few years, but actually, the last time Pantone chose yellow was back in 2009 with ‘Mimosa’. Due to the current global situation,

Pantone feel these choices give: “A message of happiness supported by fortitude. The combination of PANTONE 17-5104 Ultimate Gray and PANTONE 13-0647 Illuminating is aspirational and gives us hope. We need to feel that everything is going to get brighter – this is essential to the human spirit.”

So, in terms of usage, they are right. Grey has a solidity to it – it’s a good ground to which you can add other stronger colours. It also comes in umpteen shades and tones, so pick the right one for you. I personally prefer a warm tone perhaps with a brown base, more ‘Greige’ if you will. The same with yellow– it can range from cool sharp lemons right through
to warm ochres. Layer them up together like rays of sunshine.

Try using a grey tone in carpets or furnishing and add in yellows with cushions and accessories for little bursts of cheer. But grey is a good base for most colours and yellow brightens up other schemes too. So, don’t be led by fashion… go with whatever you like.

For any interior design queries contact Holly at Salt Interiors: info@saltinteriors.co.uk