Anthony Locicero, Associate editor10.14.20
Benjamin Moore, in its first-ever virtual color announcement event, revealed the company's 2021 Color of the Year: Aegean Teal 2136-40.
"We fell in love with it for its complexity, its depth and even its versatility," said Andrea Magno, director of Color Marketing & Development, who called it an "exceptionally balanced color."
"We actually went through multiple iterations of these types of hues," said Hannah Yeo, Color & Design manager, said of the process in selecting the Color of the Year. "We explored deep greens, all the way to very muted gray teals – and everything in between – and we kept coming back to this particular shade."
According to Yeo, it came down to Aegean Teal being balanced.
"It's rich in color. It has a certain amount of saturation. We know it's going to appeal to people who typically love color," she explained. "The gray undertone and the earthy quality that this color has makes it useable in a home environment. I think it's really going to appeal to people who typically shy away from some of those darker colors."
The process for choosing the Color of the Year – and the color trends palette, which features 12 colors, including Aegean Teal – began in late 2019, Magno said.
"We brought different ideas, images, concepts. We had traveled to shows in Europe and North America," the Color Marketing & Development director said.
"We all enjoyed walking into a farmer's market and seeing all those beautiful, delicious colors" and wanting to "take them home," Yeo said.
"We were able to bring those influences together," Magno continued. "Through our conversations, we were really drawn to the organic quality of certain colors. We [then talked] about how that sensibility relates to the home."
First Light 2102-70, a soft, rosy hue blooming with potential, was Benjamin Moore's 2020 Color of the Year choice.
Yeo said the company used the discussions behind that selection – which revolved around the new concept of the home – in creating the 2021 palette.
"We know color trends don't end when the year ends," the Color & Design manager said. "We know it's an evolution, a continuation.
"For this year, let's go inside the home" – specifically, the kitchen, Yeo said. "What makes it a home? The flexibility of the space is so important.
"It's multi-functional. It's where you cook. It's where you entertain. It's where your kids do their homework. It's where you can go to work [virtually]. It serves so many functions throughout the day."
Magno said the ideal spot for Aegean Teal is on millwork and cabinets, though it's "fantastic" for a home office, living room or bedroom, she added.
The palette, which Yeo said each color has a "sun-baked quality" to it, includes:
- Aegean Teal 2136-40;
- Amazon Soil 2115-30;
- Atrium White OC-145;
- Beacon Hill Damask HC-2;
- Chestertown Buff HC-9;
- Foggy Morning 2106-70;
- Gray Cashmere 2138-60
- Kingsport Gray HC-86;
- Muslin OC-12;
- Potters Clay 1221;
- Rosy Peach 2089-20;
- Silhouette AF-655
