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Decorating with Coral—Have Fun with Pantone’s Colour of the Year

coral, grey, and gold at the Interior Designers Institute of BC’s booth (by Cutler Design) at the Vancouver Interior Design Show in 2017
coral, grey, and gold at the Interior Designers Institute of BC’s booth (by Cutler Design) at the Vancouver Interior Design Show in 2017

Inside: Decorating with coral in 2019.

My grandmother Mildred could rock coral.

Growing up in the 70s, her style fascinated me. Her outfits couldn’t have been more different than the hippie togs sported by my parents’ artsy crowd.

So when we visited my grandparents every summer, I would study her look.

She was always impeccably groomed with flattering makeup and a ‘do. Her quality clothing was well tailored. She wore lots of light-coloured neutrals, and never black. But she wasn’t afraid of colour. I remember coral jewelry, coral lipstick, a jaunty coral scarf.

Many decades have passed since then, and coral is due for a serious comeback.

Desert Coral and Vintage Coral Behr paint colours (drawing by Uma Kesting)

2019 is coral’s year

Pantone has declared Living Coral the Colour of the Year for 2019.

I think we can agree that Ultra Violet didn’t make the expected impact in 2018. Coral will be different. I expect to see lots of it in fashion, media, and home décor.

This is what Pantone has to say about Living Coral:

Vibrant, yet mellow [coral] embraces us with warmth and nourishment to provide comfort and buoyancy in our continually shifting environment.

In reaction to the onslaught of digital technology and social media increasingly embedding into daily life, we are seeking authentic and immersive experiences that enable connection and intimacy. Sociable and spirited, the engaging nature of [coral] welcomes and encourages lighthearted activity. Symbolizing our innate need for optimism and joyful pursuits, [coral] embodies our desire for playful expression.

Representing the fusion of modern life, [coral] is a nurturing color that appears in our natural surroundings and at the same time, displays a lively presence within social media.

hanging crib with pillows with coral walls
coral plays nicely with blonde floors and Finnish graphic and folkloric designs | Johanna Gullichsen pillows with the woolen Bombroo rug designed by Klaus Haapaniemi at Tikau

I find it fascinating that Pantone’s colour choice for 2019 offers us warmth, stimulation, and comfort. These were also prominent themes in the Finnish design trend showcase that I recently posted about.

So let’s talk about coral in the home. As a warm accent colour, it has a lot going for it. It’s less aggressive than red, less sugary than pink, and less garish than orange.

coral shiplap feels breezy with green lawn chairs, a rattan settee, floral curtains, and a tile floor | home of a tobacco farmer in Cuba
coral walls in breezeway
more Cuban style: coral shiplap, rattan and white chairs, floral curtains, and the sweet string light draped over a mirror

Decorating with coral in your home

I pulled together a Pinterest board for you, with lots of coral interior inspo. Check it out and remember to follow me on Pinterest!

pinterest board

Some of the fun ways that designers are using coral as an accent:

  • paint a wall, a door, or a baseboard
  • transform a table or chairs with coral paint
  • add some coral cushions
  • go all out with a printed or solid coral sofa
  • add some art featuring coral
  • use coral patterned fabrics for curtains, tablecloths, upholstery, or bed linens

More reading about Living Coral

Although there are some amazing rooms bathed in coral, most interior experts are recommending small doses of the colour:

I’m looking for a way to add some coral to my home. I’m thinking some form of block printed fabric? Or maybe something more restrained that my grandmother would approve of.

What about you? Does your home need a pop of coral? Tell me in the comments!

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How to Make Your Home Vibrant and Warm: A New Finnish Look

exhibit with daybed and side table
a daring living room look featuring floral walls, Arte Bloom sofa by Nikari, Les Chats pillow Klaus Haapaniemi, “Merry-go-round” side table by Hanna Anonen, and geometric rug

Inside: Finnish Interior Trends show us how to add more layers to our homes.

My eyeballs felt like they were frying. A dripping branch was handed to me and I slapped myself with it. When I couldn’t take it anymore, I dashed to the icy shower.

My first traditional sauna was a shock. The 48 open tabs in my brain seemed to melt away. This refuge from “the real world” left me feeling restored yet exhilarated.

Susanna Björklund at the What the HEL design installation
Susanna Björklund in her “What the HEL” design installation

Finnish wellness traditions

To the Finns, taking a sauna is far from exotic. It’s been integral to their way of life since about 7000 BC. Today, almost every Finnish home has a sauna.

There are many traditions that sustain Finnish culture. Physical activity, connection to the forest, wholesome food, and the sisu mindset. Sisu is: “stoic determination, tenacity of purpose, grit, bravery, resilience, and hardiness”.

The Finns weather hardship with refined simplicity—and their interior design reflects that. Minimalist, white spaces with graphic black and wood accents. If you’re like me, you’ve drooled over these photos on Pinterest.

Yet, Finnish design trends show us different ways to make our homes a refuge from a stressed-out world.

hanging crib with pillows
a cozy nursery: Johanna Gullichsen pillows with the woolen Bombroo rug designed by Klaus Haapaniemi at Tikau (don’t try this crib setup at home!)

Enter global information overload

Opening night at the recent Vancouver Interior Design Show was overwhelming. But, one exhibit grabbed me.

What the HEL from Finland is a design installation curated by Susanna Björklund. I got to meet this charming trend analyst, and my husband chatted with her in Finnish.

Despite their traditions, Finns are not immune to the evils of modern life. Björklund’s exhibit signage sums up our new reality:

Internet never sleeps. There is too much noise and the human mind cannot digest the never-ending stream of information. The hard disks of our brains are full. We can only process a tiny fraction of what we see.

The word hel piqued my curiosity—is it a reference to the afterlife in Norse mythology? Are we to see the modern world as a kind of hel?

The exhibit stood out as an oasis of colour among drab booths in the show. Signage described “What the HEL” as

a curated multilayered design installation, showcasing quirky and colorful Finnish design, visual interior trends, societal trends and interesting phenomena, all happily mixed together with a touch of Finnish oddities.

Björklund does indeed combine many elements with wit and positive energy. While reflecting global design trends, “What the HEL” manages to stay true to Finnish style.

bed layered with pillows, hanging light pendants
a soothing bedroom: Secto Design pendants cast pretty shadows over a layered bed with ash and rattan headboard by Matri

The new Finnish layers

This new Finnish look is all about layers. Think warm, vibrant, and slightly unexpected.

“What the Hel” layers:

  • clash with panache: fearless but considered mixing
  • saturated colours: port, rose, apricot, orange, cyan, powder blue, azure, olive, golden brown
  • blonde wood: classic Finnish design
  • Finnish folklore: prints, patterns, and motifs connect with the past
  • layered texture: wool, shag, linen, leather, wood, cane work
  • craftsmanship: art, furniture, decorative objects, textiles
  • pattern: evoking the past and present
    • layers of pattern: walls, furniture, throw pillows, rugs, art
    • walls: William Morris-esque floral or bold brushstrokes
    • patterned light: from mobiles and Secto Design pendants
  • nature inspired patterns and colours
wooden wall shelves
exquisite wooden Fiori shelf by Antrei Hartikainen

Covetable Finnish design

Much of the charm of “What the HEL” comes from the artful mix. But so many items deserve individual appreciation for their beauty and craftsmanship.

The installation showcased pieces from 30 designers, artists, and companies. Some lovely examples (see photos):

room nook with cupboard, small table, hanging robe, hanging purse
dressing area with clever mirrored cupboard, ash table by Matri and Albmi hanger by Gedigo Piece of Finland

Mix some HEL into your home

“What the HEL” gives loads of inspiration for making a home feel vibrant and warm. The idea is to feel safe…without playing it safe.

Visual stimulation, comfort, and tradition are key:

  1. add some bold colour and pattern to your home
  2. keep it cozy with textiles and texture
  3. connect to the past with traditional materials and patterns
  4. choose local, handmade, quality pieces
  5. pick materials, colours, and motifs inspired by nature
mobiles hanging in a cushioned seating nook
geometric mobiles cast patterned light over a bright reading nook (FEATHR wallpaper)

Warning: don’t go overboard. According to Helsinki-based interior designer Linda Bergroth (quoted in Vogue):

Finnish people don’t go bold, colorful, and fun on everything—the opposite actually. They tend to like peaceful, timeless, and simple design like the Japanese, and on the other hand choose very wild, bold, and crazy prints. What’s nice is that these two opposites—neutral and crazy colorful—can coexist in an interior or person at the same time.

So, are white, minimalist rooms the answer for our information-overloaded lives? Or do saturated colours and busier spaces comfort us? When it comes to creating a home that’s a refuge from modern life, the verdict is out. Tell me what you think in the comments!

In the meanwhile, I’m itching to add a patterned pillow to my sofa. Or maybe my living room needs a bright side table. Dang it…I think I’ll just rip out my second bathroom and install a sauna.

More Finnish awesome