Worldwide color authority Pantone has once again made its influential Color of the Year prediction for the months ahead, with Rose Quartz and Serenity being chosen as the favored shades for 2016. As The LuxPad explored when the announcement was first released, this year Pantone has taken an unprecedented step in choosing not one – but two complementary colors for the upcoming year. Why two? Their choices reflect a ‘color snapshot of what we see taking place in our culture at a particular moment in time’. Rose Quartz and Serenity provide a welcome ‘contrast to the current restless and hectic lives people are living right now’, Pantone explains. After last year’s Color of the Year – the dark and earthy Marsala – Rose Quartz and Serenity are a refreshing change. Evoking a sense of calmness, fluidity and balance, the fusion of these shades provide the perfect antidote to busy modern life.

Such is the power of the Pantone announcement, that it won’t be long before we see Rose Quartz and Serenity trickle into our daily lives. The colors are set to take center stage within fashion, beauty, fragrance and home interiors in 2016. A beautifully versatile duo, Pantone has suggested a combination of color palettes to help you incorporate Rose Quartz and Serenity into your interior decorating. Use shades of Serenity to create an ethereal finish to a modern bathroom, introduce Rose Quartz to soften a bedroom, or simply accessorize using Rose Quartz and Serenity to add subtle nod to next year’s hottest interior trend.

Still stuck for inspiration? Decorating with Pantone’s 2016 Color of the Year is made easy with our go-to guide. The LuxPad spoke to a collection of interior experts and interior designers to ask how they would make the most of Rose Quartz and Serenity in 2016…

Jared Sherman Epps – Interior Designer 

Pantone’s Colors of the Year, Rose Quartz and Serenity, are both strong and impactful yet soothing.  Both colors evoke a sense of tranquillity and nostalgia, however both of these colors can be surprisingly sophisticated and modern when used correctly. Let one color take the lead and allow the other to act as an accent to create a serene but striking balance.

Emma Pritchard – Interior Designer

Serenity Blue and Rose Quartz work beautifully as tones in childrens’ nursery spaces.  For a more feminine feel Rose Quartz beautifully offsets soft greys of cushions, walls and blinds, using contrasting borders and piping for statement pieces.  Whereas Serenity Blue creates more masculine spaces, offering a refreshing slant away from the popular baby blue.  Both are beautiful tones which can be interchanged with ease to suit the theme of the space.

Rebecca Williams – Hilda Living

The Pantone Color of the Year 2016 offers a harmonious blend of warm and cool with ‘Rose Quartz’ and ‘Serenity’. The combination of these pastel shades evokes a sense of calm and rejuvenation, which can be further accentuated by a considered choice of furnishing fabrics to complement these subtly balanced tones. Sumptuous velvets, brushed cottons and linens work perfectly to provide a luxurious touch. Dress your windows with lighter weight linen or organza to emphasize the sense of radiance and light that you associate with the color. Image Credit

Lisa Kanning – Interior Designer

In this traditional style home, colorful accents in unexpected hues help to elevate the design beyond the conventional and bring an updated sensibility to the home. In the Entry Foyer, the clients eclectic taste in art drives the palette to embrace the blue and rose shades which Pantone has deemed their colors of the year. A whimsical pale pink penguin sculpture offsets the serious nature of the antique chest – a juxtaposition repeated throughout the interiors.  The mirror in the Powder Room is wrapped in a rose colored Fortuny fabric which is playfully repeated in a grosgrain ribbon that borders the zebra stripe upholstered walls in the vestibule. The brightly hued antique Tabriz carpet in the Sitting Room (shown above) of the master suite is softened by focusing on the pale rose shades found in the rug and repeated in the gentle folds of the drapery fabric. While these pale pastel colors are typically associated with juvenile gender traits, the sophisticated use of them in this home transcends the stereotype and heightens them to a more mature level. Image Credit

Maria Killam – Author & Color Expert

Pastels have been a strong trend for a few years now, and Pantone’s choice to put out two says something about colors in relationship. The key thing to consider in incorporating this trend is to take a playful approach to decorating. They can add some unexpected freshness to a simple grey or white space, or act as soft and refreshing alternatives to more conventional neutrals. Image Credit, Image Credit

Nicky Summer – Interior Designer

The two new color/s of the year from Pantone of Rose Quartz and Serenity are an unusual choice for an interior designer, a combination usually associated only with the décor of infants bedrooms. However, occasionally we are asked to produce a finish in the ‘baby’ colors of pale pink and blue, normally as an effect in a bathroom. These colors can look fantastic mixed with all white décor, particularly in a sunny climate. The two finishes (seen above) from specialist suppliers ‘Granite Exchange‘ could be used as splash-backs above a wash basin or bath, or combined as mosaic tiles in a pool house. Large slabs can also be used for kitchen work tops and surfaces. The key is to keep these colors either in one strong dramatic feature, or for small details.

Chris Billinghurst – Eco Chic Interior Decorator 

Rose Quartz and Serenity embody tranquillity and synergy, something we’d all love in our homes. Although blue and pink are oft associated with cottage interiors or children’s bedrooms, these hues have more progressive aspirations to bring that same aura of calm to the contemporary end of the interior design spectrum. Harness the qualities of Pantone’s Color of the Year and inject some unique design personality into your home; combine with white, light and/or dark grey and parchment, textiles and wall coverings in graphic patterns and for contrast and definition, deeper shades of brick and navy with brass lighting for a designer twist.

Lucy Burt – Interior Designer

Not being a huge fan of pastel colors used together, I would look to put some weight behind the Rose Quartz & Serenity color combination in an interior scheme. Use simple but statement furniture with clean lines and add in geometric pattern along with a darker anchor color like bronze or copper. This allows these colors to be used to great effect whilst avoiding the sugared almond connotations. Image Credit

Darrin Varden – Interior Designer

Above, use the calming Serenity shade to create a relaxed environment. Designer Darrin Varden adds a tranquil feel to an elegant bedroom by upholstering a vanity chair in Donghia’s shimmering Cascade Blue. On the right, Rose Quartz lightens up an otherwise dark interior. Designer Darrin Varden selected this custom “Purple Leaf Meditation” mandala by fine artist Miya Ando that showcases an eye-catching ombre pattern in shades of delicate Rose Quartz.

Lucy Harris – Interior Designer

Fashion is a huge inspiration for my work: a fantastic clothing ensemble like these pieces from Electric Feathers’s Fall/Winter 2014 collection can tell a story or create a mood just like a fabulous room can. You have to live with an interior, so I would use these colors with soft whites. Taking this image as inspiration, I would take a loft in TriBeCa in New York City with huge white walls and white-washed oak floors. I would place a white leather DeSede Terrazza sofa against a wall painted rose quartz and add a geometric wire chair in serenity. To add some softness I would place everything atop a white goat hair rug. Image Credit

Faiza Seth – Casa Forma Interior Design

We used Rose Quartz and Serenity in the soft furnishings – curtains and throw – to add a feminine and soothing ambiance to the nursery. Casa Forma believes in timeless design and we feel that adding color in accents is the best way to create a timeless interior design scheme that is versatile and long lasting.

Anita Kohn – Interior Designer

Our biggest challenge to date with soft pastels is getting the masculine side of the household to still come through in these historically feminine schemes. The best way to steer these colors away from an intrinsically feminine scheme would be to pair them with deep, dark colors (think grey or charcoal walls) and pair heavy metallic objects in accessories, or include metallic finishes in joinery accents. Alternatively, darken the tone of the softer Rose Quartz and Serenity to bring bolder accents of the hue into the room – stronger tones ground spaces. Image Credit, Image Credit

Kerrie Kelly – Interior Designer

We’re so pleased to see the pairing of Rose Quartz and Serenity for Pantone’s choice for 2016. Not only do these peaceful pastels complement each other perfectly, but they balance bold tones and neutral hues just as easily. To curate a look using Rose Quartz and Serenity, anchor the pairing with muslin or sandy brown, olive, and fig. Use Rose Quartz and Serenity on statement pieces like arm chairs and wall art and complement it with darker splashes of color on accessories and area rugs.

Lori Dennis – Interior Designer

We love the philosophy of balance in color from this year’s Pantone Color Twins of the Year.  Rose Quartz and Serenity are beautiful shades that soften any space. Adding romantic flowing sheers to your windows offer privacy while still allowing the light and breeze in. Or simply add these colors to a room with blush peonies, a quartz crystal lamp, soft organic sheets under a white linen duvet or small ceramic bowls in your kitchen.  If these colors are a little too sweet for you, make it modern and ground them with touches of black. Image Credit, Image Credit

Mansi Mehra – Director at ani M Interiors

For the first time, the blending of two colors, Rose Quartz and Serenity, has been chosen as Pantone Color of the Year. These soft shades are individually soothing and calming, perfect for bedrooms, bathrooms or even for studies.

The warmth of the blush combined with the tranquility of the blue have an other-worldly beauty. Used together, the effect is sublime, and our design team has already been inspired to create spectacular schemes based on these shades. You can add a delicate eclecticism to the room by painting furniture in both these colors and others from the palette. Or for a subtler fusion add rose quartz and serenity through accessories such as photo frames and candle holders. However, when using the color avoid bright acid tones as the contrast is too harsh.

Michael Tavano – Interior Designer

Michael Tavano recommends selecting decorative items in Rose Quartz in different intensities and finishes. A deep rose quartz metallic can mix with a pale rose quartz porcelain and a natural element such as a fresh succulent to create a tableau that lifts a neutral grey room into the realm of glamour.

In the photo above, mixing warm and cool tones adds interest to a neutral room. Michael Tavano uses accents of Serenity to add a cooling lightness to accessories such as pillows and books. He selected patterned textiles that mix Serenity with warm copper and neutral grey and ivory for the sofa and the rug.

Susan Cohen – Interior Designer

This year’s Pantone Color of the Year, Rose Quartz and Serenity, are taken directly from nature as expressed in this photo I took on a recent trip to Japan for Cherry Blossom season. When designing a home I am always informed by the natural order of things. The sky and flowers create the promise of spring and new beginnings.

Anabel Martin & Bella Frey – Decorators & Artists 

With the popularity of ombre effect walls, Pantone’s Color of the Year Rose Quartz and Serenity is the perfect combination to create this on-trend paint finish. I love blending colors on walls, starting with the lightest on top, gradually melting with a darker hue at the bottom. Always gives a beautiful result of light and space to a room. This contemporary look creates a dreamy, peaceful and relaxing atmosphere, which works extremely well and adds interest to any room, along with an injection of bright colored cushions, a bold sofa and a rug that complements the walls, you are ready and set for the year ahead!

Top tips:  Create a calm and relaxing atmosphere by using Rose Quartz & Serenity paint in the bedroom and lounge walls. Image Credit

Jemma Paugh – Interior Designer 

This is the first year 2 shades have been chosen and what a combination! The tones remind me of a spring morning, straight out of Monet’s Grand Canal, Venice. The best way to incorporate these tones in your home… Accessorize! Whether it be a beautiful throw/cushion combo or geometric rug that combines both tones, or get creative and produce your own Monet masterpiece! Image Credit

Lydia Marks & Lisa Frantz – Interior Designers

On the left, lustrous velvet in Serenity adds softness to an all-white kitchen. Designers Marks & Frantz used it on striking custom bar stools of their own design. Next, Serenity and Rose Quartz are used in a flame stitch patterned rug by JD Staron, Serenity mixed with soft grey in drapery fabric by Katie Leede for Holland & Sherry add soft color to this family room by Marks & Frantz Design.

Louise Leahey – Interior Designer

How lovely are these two colors and we think they are just perfect for a little girl’s bedroom.  We have recently used the Rose Quartz color on the walls of a scheme and then brought in the Serenity color with the accessories.  Timeless colors which work great with off white and most greys but especially a strong dark grey.

Helene Dabrowski – Interior Designer

It may be a challenge to associate the two Pantone colors of the year Serenity and Rose Quartz together in the same room, and I must admit I have a strong favorite: Rose Quartz. This is a delicate pink which is lovely associated with greys, whites and copper. It looks very sophisticated in a bedroom scheme paired with mirrored furniture and textured fabrics but can also work in other rooms.

Serenity is a break away from all the deep blue hues we have been using over the past few years. I would probably keep this to a child’s bedroom and use it with taupes, greys and neutrals. In other rooms it could be brought into a scheme in small quantities and in conjunction with other stronger colors like a deeper blue and a coral. Image Credit

Ksenia Pavlova – Interior Designer

Parents of boy and girl twins will be very much en-vogue with their baby room décor according to Pantone Color of the Year choice of Rose Quartz and Serenity for 2016. Serenity is an easy color to live with and can be used throughout the home in any room. For example it can be used in a gender-neutral playroom/dayroom such as this one by pairing it up with deeper tones of blue and splashes of orange. Rose Quartz can also look luxurious in a room, such as in this bathroom where a soft rose tinted polished plaster has been used above the tile.

Rebecca Hayes – Interior Designer

I think Rose Quartz and Serenity are quite hard colors to use without making the interior look too much like a ice cream parlour or overly girly.
There is no doubt that with the right accessories and back drop, Rose Quartz can be used to create a sophisticated and warm interior. My advice would be to use sparingly – limit to wall color with complementary neutral furnishings. The shade works particularly well with brass and black accessories. Black adds a necessary masculine edge to the image on the left. On the right – an example of how the colors work together. Again, the black is used to add a
masculine edge, making the interior less intense. Image Credit, Image Credit

Peggy Dupuis – Interior Designer

We hope you enjoy our collection of inspirational ideas on how to incorporate Rose Quartz and Serenity into your home decorating. Explore Amara’s dedicated Pantone Color of the Year 2016 Pinterest board for more beautiful color combinations.