Earlier this month, at the Royal Palm South Beach Miami, a Tribute Portfolio Resort, the Pantone Color Institute announced “Living Coral” as its Color of the Year for 2019. PANTONE 16-1546 Living Coral is the official name and it’s described as “an animating and life-affirming coral hue with a golden undertone that energizes and enlivens with a softer edge.”
Pantone has declared a Color of the Year every year since 2000, but the brand points out it is a trend observation rather than a forecast. Its announcement, nonetheless, has an impact in the realms of décor and design.
“It is a color we see in nature,” said Institute Vice President Laurie Pressman of this year’s choice. “Lying at the center of our naturally vivid and chromatic eco-system, it is evocative of how coral reefs provide shelter to a diverse kaleidoscope of nature’s color and serves as a source of sustenance and shelter to sea life.”
During the event, it was noted that Miami Beach was a fitting choice for a color-related announcement and ensuing celebration, because it’s a city well known for its eye-catching vibrancy—not just in chromatic terms.
“While there are no coral reefs in Miami Beach proper, Florida is the only state in the continental U.S. with extensive shallow coral reef formations near its coasts,” explained Pressman. “Roughly two-thirds of the Florida Reef Tract lies within Biscayne National Park and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, all of which are easily accessible to Miami Beach.”
The centerpiece of the announcement event was the unveiling of Tribute Portfolio’s traveling installation/photo opp, a shrine to living coral—and the hotel life—dubbed the “Pantone Pantry.” An interactive miniature hotel experience, the installation consists of coral-colored curios crowding coral-colored cabinets, a coral-colored concierge desk comprising coral-colored cases, and custom-created coral-colored cartoons projected against a coral-colored wall above a coral-colored cot.
As Pressman explained, travel is a big part of the Pantone Color Institute team’s research process, and there’s a definite connection between the joy of travel and the “sociability” and “spirit” of living coral.
“Its engaging nature is one that welcomes and encourages lighthearted activity and embodies our desire for playful expression. And this year’s color displays humanizing and heartening qualities, embracing us with warmth. Just as one hopes to feel upon entering their hotel.”
Our designers are going to be chiming in about their thoughts on Pantone’s choice and what you can do to add a little living coral to your home! Stay tuned!