Dulux (also known as AkzoNobel) has announced its colour of the year for 2020. It is Tranquil Dawn a soft misty grey green blue inspired by the early morning sky. This colour is easy to use, easy to live with and very versatile. You could paint all of the walls in your room in it or equally mix it with neutral pastels or rich jewel shades for very different looks. It feels fresh and modern but would also work well in heritage interiors as it has neoclassical connotations.
In selecting their colour of the year Dulux invites independent experts, designers and trendwatchers, to join their own team at the Global Aesthetic Center in Amsterdam. In a two day process they identify current global trends and distill that down to a leading colour and its complementary colour palettes…..coming up below.
How are the colours decided?
2020 is not only a new year but also a new decade. In the dawn of this new decade we are leading evermore chaotic lives . As we stare into our phones we feel disconnected from the world around us. However, there is a growing movement against this; a rise in veganism, the ongoing wellness trend, an interest in health, sleep and self care. Creativity is important to us, we want to experience awe and we are exploring what makes us human. In an ever rising digital world we are craving human connection. The team reduced this down to the single theme of the Human Touch. We are on the brink of a new dawn and there is a sense of positivity. What we need…. is tranquility.
A colour for everywhere
Green has been big news for a while now with its environmental and wellness ties and our shifting focus to lead more sustainable lives. Tranquil Dawn, a very light green, brings the outside in. You can see in these images how relaxing and serene it can be. What you can also notice in the Dulux photos is the colour blocking that is going on. Another interior trend that has come from fashion. In the image above only the protruding walls are in Tranquil Dawn. I think it looks great with this soft super light pink.
In this bedroom two of the walls are in Tranquil Dawn while the other is in Damson Dusk. This frames the bed nicely and they say – although we can’t see – that the ceiling is in the same colour so as give the feel of a canopy bed which is a great modern way to do a feature wall. You could maybe even bring it down the wall we can’t see like a giant stripe.
In this kitchen Tranquil Dawn acts as a neutral really making the charcoal cupboards and shelf pop. Having exposed shelving instead of upper cupboards is the modern way in kitchen design. Great for showcasing your tableware – if you have tableware you’d like to showcase. It becomes decorative adding a layer of interest.
And it is not just for homes. See here the chic and sophisticated dining room at the Harlan + Holden Glasshouse Cafe in Manila, Philippines. Instead of using the colour in paint they have used it on the curtains and upholstery. Super serene.
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The Colour Palettes
And so, to the palettes. After identifying the lead colour, the team at the AkzoNobel Aesthetic Center then created four different colour palettes to bring the colour to life. This is really handy to see how you can use the colour to suit your personal style and also serve as great colour inspiration for a room or for your entire house. As I said before, when Sherwin Williams released their 2020 colour palettes, you can be confident mixing the different shades from a single palette throughout your home to create a cohesive home with rooms that have different colours that still feel connected.
Care Palette
The care palette is very soft and gentle. Using this palette will create a home that is soothing and re-energising. A home that is nurturing and cocooning. The colours are reminiscent of an early spring morning in the English countryside and at the beach. And, there’s that gorgeous soft pink colour from the living room above – Pink Skies. And in the living room below we can see more colour blocking in action with a thick stripe of Dune Grass at the top of the wall. This contrasts with the fresh light green bringing warmth to the room and echoing the wood wall cladding outside.
Play Palette
Play is an upbeat, joyous palette you can use to create a fun and playful home. These colours are inspired by a summer dawn and there are a couple of bright colours there that will really pop. Tranquil Dawn brings a sense of grown-up balance to these colours. See how exuberant the living room below looks but the excitement is dialled down at seating level withTranquil Dawn and grey seating. Playful accessories tie the look together.
Meaning Palette
The meaning palette, inspired by a winter’s dawn, is full of neutrals. From a very dark brown the pale Calm Clouds. This palette will create a very peaceful contemplative home. Dulux say that the home for meaning allows for wonder. Below you can see two very different rooms using the meaning palette. This shows you what a great range you can get from a single range. In the bathroom Tranquil Dawn is paired with Chic Shadows. It adds a bit of light and interest in this pared back space. And in the bedroom beneath it is simple used to frame the window offering a burst of light against the moody dark grey. Simple and restful.
Creativity Palette
The last palette is born out of our need to be creative. The dark earthy palette is inspired by an Autumn morning with all the deep colours found out in nature at this time of year. Here Tranquil Dawn offers a welcome jolt against the darker colours. Marianne Shillingford, Creative Director of Dulux says it is ideal for a home with an eclectic mix of furniture and you can kind of see that in the bedroom below. Here Tranquil Dawn plays just a small part on the picture rail. Because it is dividing two dark colours the eye is drawn upwards and this also highlights the deep green ceiling which is a fairly unusual choice. This room feels like a hug from an old friend.
Colour of the Year 2019
And this was last years colour of the year from Dulux; Spiced Honey. This colour makes an appearance in this years Care Palette, so if you went with this last year and are not yet ready to repaint your entire room you could instead paint a stripe or around a window in Tranquil Dawn.
So, what do you think about Tranquil Dawn? Will you be using it with or without a complementary palette and which colour palette is your favourite? XO 💕
