It’s 2023 and I feel like the lucky one who knocked down a pinata; even though my daughter’s birthday party was last month. It may be cold and bare outside but what’s got me pumped is Pantone’s color of the year. While many people do a word for the year, in the design industry, color is often where the inspiration begins. Pantone is a renowned color design firm, who has made determining the color of the year a regular occurrence since 1999.
This year’s color is Viva Magenta. While it might be easy to think Viva Magenta is a shade of purple, it’s actually closer to a crimson red. House Beautiful magazine describes it as an, “electrifying, boundary-less shade” that “promotes optimism, joy and strength.” What’s not to love about a shade that can brighten up any room. In addition, this color complements the Chinese New Year, which celebrates the Year of the Rabbit, a symbol of hope.
There are so many ways to incorporate Viva Magenta into hospitality design; from a bedspread to a bedside lamp or throw pillow to even an accent wall or door in a guest room. It can easily brighten up an austere minimalist design or transform the mood of a foyer or lobby from formal to fiesta in a matter of seconds. A vibrant splash of color is the best (and easiest!) way to create a joyful ambience.
Because of my love of travel, I’m excited to share that Viva Magenta is literally on the map, electrifying places all over North America. While I’m a little partial to Los Cabos, Mexico, (I’m almost a local at this point), I am definitely going to add Miami, Florida. It is home of the exhibit known as Magentaverse. For those not looking to travel, there are also hints on how to observe the color in nature, from sunsets to flowers.
In case it took you this long to get it, 2023 is going to be very exciting for AJC Design. I’m grateful for the new projects that will be breaking ground this year. I’m also grateful for the operations assistant who joined my team in December. In a few short weeks, she’s been instrumental in helping me chip away at my professional projects that have been on hold. Now, I can refocus, refresh, and refine what I haven’t been able to do since the pandemic started in 2020. So, drink up some Viva Magenta and let’s live life!