David Savastano, Contributing Editor09.27.23
Looking into a clear blue sky is a special calming feeling, a sense of openness and naturalness. For C2 Paint, this is the sense that Thermal, its 2024 Color of the Year, brings to homeowners.
“There is a definite need for people to escape the congestion of urban confinement, long or short term - the escape in pursuit of activities that connect us to land and water more,” Philippa Radon, interior designer and C2 paint color specialist, observed. “Thermal represented big open skies that invigorate us like a shot of B12 Dopamine. We set out to use a universal, familiar color that brought an immediate, energizing connection.
“Thermal is that intense, uplifting summer sky blue, or the vast blue skies of New Mexico in the dead of winter with snow on the ground,” added Radon. “In terms of transitioning this color into your home with the best results: ceilings, cabinetry, laundry space or pantry, children's spaces, meditative areas - we like to think of the mood and spirit of the room - the intention and desired ‘feel’ behind a color choice, knowing that first works best and is a steadfast guide.”
Radon said that C2 Paint’s team of color experts observed that there is a sense of individualism this year that is leading to people making personal choices.
“Over the past year, one of the most valuable key trend directions we observed is the individual freedom of style and that this is not a trend but an embodied lifestyle and personal choice,” Radon said. “There is a growing recognition that ‘trends’ offer valuable direction and visual inspiration for us to interpret and creatively innovate from, not follow so doggedly. This has overall broadened the volume of materials and color interaction across the design market and provided a means in which to contribute with greater responsibility to the world we live in and with.”
Radon added that C2 Paint’s color team loves the groutless tile look, and the interaction of mixing texture, pattern and color with greater artistic expression.
“The continued adventure and education of sustainability support salvaging and repurposing vintage finds that integrate into the modern home effortlessly,” she noted. “Wallpapers for the vast array of pattern and color opportunities and the combinations of raw materials paired with more refined feminine elements. There is a blossoming appreciation for the design process as being an experiential, evolving journey, that takes time, requiring patience and for us to hit the pause button when needed.”
Thermal is not a dramatic shift in that it is a color that is always welcome.
“I don’t see a huge shift in design direction from the past few years—but longevity with good design makes room for good ideas to be embraced, and colors we love to live with to remain in place longer—allowing us time to appreciate that in this moment, maybe what we have is perfect and enough,” Radon observed.
In addition to Thermal, C2 Paint selected Brûlée and Marshland as additional complementary hues. Brulee can be described as a combination of soft apricot with honeyed vanilla, while Marshland is an earthly mid-olive green. Radon notes that Thermal interacts nicely with these colors.
“The interaction of Thermal with Brulee offers pairing colors that share the same level of luminosity and warmth,” Radon said. “They speak the same language in terms of intensity and hue. Whereas Thermal paired with Marshland provides a stronger anchor color that grounds Thermal but still maintains a natural element. Thermal with Brulee would work well in a younger person's room just as well as spaces wanting warmth. Marshland on kitchen cabinetry with Thermal on the ceiling holds great appeal.”
Radon also noted that Thermal also plays well with Tiramisu, C2 Paint’s 2023 Color of the Year.
“Think of those clay-based earthy tones of Tiramisu and the open blue skies as the inspiration for these two colors together,” Radon added. “Nature remains our greatest inspiration.”
“Color is never seen in isolation,” Radon concluded. “Just look out the window and see how many colors interact with each other. Our annual capsule tells a story where our colors become the characters: the lead being Thermal, with Brulee and Marshland as support roles.”
“There is a definite need for people to escape the congestion of urban confinement, long or short term - the escape in pursuit of activities that connect us to land and water more,” Philippa Radon, interior designer and C2 paint color specialist, observed. “Thermal represented big open skies that invigorate us like a shot of B12 Dopamine. We set out to use a universal, familiar color that brought an immediate, energizing connection.
“Thermal is that intense, uplifting summer sky blue, or the vast blue skies of New Mexico in the dead of winter with snow on the ground,” added Radon. “In terms of transitioning this color into your home with the best results: ceilings, cabinetry, laundry space or pantry, children's spaces, meditative areas - we like to think of the mood and spirit of the room - the intention and desired ‘feel’ behind a color choice, knowing that first works best and is a steadfast guide.”
Radon said that C2 Paint’s team of color experts observed that there is a sense of individualism this year that is leading to people making personal choices.
“Over the past year, one of the most valuable key trend directions we observed is the individual freedom of style and that this is not a trend but an embodied lifestyle and personal choice,” Radon said. “There is a growing recognition that ‘trends’ offer valuable direction and visual inspiration for us to interpret and creatively innovate from, not follow so doggedly. This has overall broadened the volume of materials and color interaction across the design market and provided a means in which to contribute with greater responsibility to the world we live in and with.”
Radon added that C2 Paint’s color team loves the groutless tile look, and the interaction of mixing texture, pattern and color with greater artistic expression.
“The continued adventure and education of sustainability support salvaging and repurposing vintage finds that integrate into the modern home effortlessly,” she noted. “Wallpapers for the vast array of pattern and color opportunities and the combinations of raw materials paired with more refined feminine elements. There is a blossoming appreciation for the design process as being an experiential, evolving journey, that takes time, requiring patience and for us to hit the pause button when needed.”
Thermal is not a dramatic shift in that it is a color that is always welcome.
“I don’t see a huge shift in design direction from the past few years—but longevity with good design makes room for good ideas to be embraced, and colors we love to live with to remain in place longer—allowing us time to appreciate that in this moment, maybe what we have is perfect and enough,” Radon observed.
In addition to Thermal, C2 Paint selected Brûlée and Marshland as additional complementary hues. Brulee can be described as a combination of soft apricot with honeyed vanilla, while Marshland is an earthly mid-olive green. Radon notes that Thermal interacts nicely with these colors.
“The interaction of Thermal with Brulee offers pairing colors that share the same level of luminosity and warmth,” Radon said. “They speak the same language in terms of intensity and hue. Whereas Thermal paired with Marshland provides a stronger anchor color that grounds Thermal but still maintains a natural element. Thermal with Brulee would work well in a younger person's room just as well as spaces wanting warmth. Marshland on kitchen cabinetry with Thermal on the ceiling holds great appeal.”
Radon also noted that Thermal also plays well with Tiramisu, C2 Paint’s 2023 Color of the Year.
“Think of those clay-based earthy tones of Tiramisu and the open blue skies as the inspiration for these two colors together,” Radon added. “Nature remains our greatest inspiration.”
“Color is never seen in isolation,” Radon concluded. “Just look out the window and see how many colors interact with each other. Our annual capsule tells a story where our colors become the characters: the lead being Thermal, with Brulee and Marshland as support roles.”
