Very Pretty, Very Peri

By Ariel Schuster, Sales and Design Consultant at Artaic

Ringing in the New Year always seems to foster a sense of hope, newfound excitement and concentrated determination. The idea that we are leaving things in the past and starting anew by wiping the slate clean is liberating. Trust me when I say there is nothing I would like more than to ctrl + alt + delete this whole dumpster fire of a pandemic-centric-life that has dominated 2020 and 2021, unfortunately Omicron has other plans. With that said, let’s take a stab at being one of those “glass-half-full” folks and look at the bright side – the Very Peri bright side! While this new-normal can undoubtedly feel overwhelming, there are some exciting and empowering changes that have been taking place in how we view and operate within the world – including the way we value our space. Pantone’s 2022 Color of the Year, Very Peri, is here to inspire us to look forward, not back.

Quill in Peri – Featured in 1/2″ Sintered Glass

Pantone has a team dedicated to choosing, or in this instance creating, a “color of the year” – they spend the previous year researching trends in lifestyle, media, and current events that they project will encapsulate the coming year. First of all – cool job, but really what they are doing by dedicating a color to an entire year is giving us a source of inspiration, a jumping off point, and a new perspective to re-invigorate our lives with color. 2022’s Very Peri was created to represent transition, hope, and possibilities as we slowly emerge from a life of quarantine. The color features a bold blue hue infused with a warm red-violet. It draws inspiration from the modern digital world by bringing it into our physical lives. Blurring the lines of reality and pushing us towards a brighter future, Very Peri certainly makes a statement – so how can we experience it in our space?

Kaleido in Peri – Featured in 1″ Glazed Porcelain

Let’s call a spade a spade here – Very Peri is not neutral in the world of color. Yes, the notorious color gurus at Pantone created this color for us to define the year to come, but no, that doesn’t mean it can (or should) go just anywhere. One of the things I love most about design is the fact that it is such a nuanced art form – there are subtle ways to put things together that allow you to set the tone, create a mood, and define an aesthetic. When I think of Very Peri in the world of interiors my mind immediately goes to accent walls.

Depending on the existing aesthetic of your space Very Peri can feel bold, vibrant and energizing, with its hyper saturated color and violent red undertones. I envision it adorning the walls of a trendy atelier in the city, the backdrop to a swath of vibrant hoodies, or electrifying the lobby of an AR tech company.

Sediment in Peri – Featured in 1/2″ Sintered Glass

In other settings it can create a serene, soothing effect by echoing colors we find in nature. I see it complimenting the warm tones found in mid-century modern furniture, and serving as an ethereal backdrop in lieu of wallpaper or large scale artwork.

The color itself is nuanced in its composition, blending blues and reds to create this violet hue. In cooler spaces like a kitchen or bathroom where fixtures and neutral cabinetry might play a key role, Very Peri adds warmth. Feeling too “purple”? Pair it with some vibrant accent colors, throw it in a pattern, there is always a set at the table for color blocking and gradients!

We’ve all heard the expression “when the times get tough, the tough get going”, well as we enter year 3 this so-called pandemic life I think Very Peri is up to the challenge. Designed to be intriguing, inspiring, and energizing, I have no doubt that this color will be exactly that when incorporated into interiors and decor. For those who shy away from color, be tactful, a Very Peri feature wall might be just what your whitewashed kitchen needs! And for those who embrace color – go big by playing with patterns and complimentary colors – this year is for you!

Check out our Very Peri-inspired Pinterest board for more inspiration!