In several articles I explored the 2021 colors of the year of different paint companies and compared them in the same Edesign I created for a master bedroom. I enjoyed exploring Benjamin Moore’s Agean Teal and Sherwin Williams Urbane Bronze. I was excited to see what PPG’s color of the year was.
But wait….they didn’t have one!! What??? No, they had a color palette for 2021 but not a particular color of the year. Honestly, I felt let down.
I guess I don’t like the idea of a color palette, because I don’t want to be told or encouraged to use a series of colors together. I like to decide that for myself!
The PPG 2021 Color Palette includes Transcend, Mystic Aqua and Big Cypress, which are meant to work together.
Here is what PPG says about their 2021 color palette:
Transcend: A mid-tone oatmeal-colored hue that draws on earthy influences and nostalgia.
Big Cypress, a shaded ginger with persimmon undertones, is the equivalent of a big, comforting hug for your home.
Misty Aqua, a watercolor cerulean blue, provides an unexpected pairing of freshness against the other warm, earthy tones.
I like the Misty Aqua. Transcend or really any beige makes me yawn. Big Cypress reminds me of the desert, and I am not sure it makes me feel like my home got a hug.
I am trying to have an open mind here and just get over the fact they didn’t just pick one color. I find it a little annoying, as if they are trying to sell me three paints instead of one.
I am not sure why they paired these colors together. Looking at the color data, they do not really fit into any traditional color scheme in relation to hue angle. They are not similar in terms of chroma or lightness to create a harmonious pairing. I don’t really get it, but will see what amazing and beautiful design I can create anyway! Here goes.
Master Bedroom Design
Design 1- Transcend and the PPG 2021 Palette
In this design, I used Transcend as the main color on the walls, and used the two other colors as accents or supporting colors. I used a shade of Mystic Aqua on the bed. The larger pillow shams and the lamps tie in Big Cypress. The area rug has some Transcend and Big Cypress colors in it and also a lighter shade of Mystic Aqua. My design celebrates circles and curves, mixes modern pieces with antiques, and mixes soft fabrics with glass, metal and pottery. I used my fractal art from the “Jenna” collection which has some of the Mystic Aqua color in the pillow shams and accent pillow, the wall art, and on one of the antique chairs. My fractal art celebrates curves and spirals. To learn more about spirals and fractal art, see my blog article What Does Your Art Mean?
Design 2- Big Cypress and the PPG 2021 Palette
In the design below, I used Big Cypress as the primary color on the walls with the other two colors as supporting colors. I changed the area rug to one that contains colors similar to Transcend.
Design 3- Mystic Aqua and the PPG 2021 Palette
In the design below, I changed the wall color to Mystic Aqua, and changed the bed upholstery to a color similar to Transcend.
Design 4- Mystic Aqua and my own color palette
In the design below, I did my own thing. I liked Mystic Aqua the best of the three wall colors. I developed my own palette using various shades of blue/greens and yellow, it’s opposite on the color wheel.
Which Color of the Year is Your Favorite?
I enjoyed working with all the colors of 2021, and think they could all work nicely to create a relaxing master bedroom, although Big Cypress feels a little more energizing than relaxing. Of all the colors, I think Aegean Teal is my favorite, how about you?
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Haha, I’m with you all the way. Not feeling the big cypress and fine with the misty aqua…I’m neutral on the beige (lol). I actually like the room you showed with the aqua walls and the beige on the bed, but I love that bed in almost any color so there’s that… and while COTY is always basically a marketing hype ploy, I think choosing 3 is cheating a little 🙂
Haha, totally agree! Big Cypress reminds me of Cavern Clay which was Sherwin Williams color of the year in 2019. I used it for a Turkish style living room and liked it there, but not a fan for a bedroom.
This palette is serene but can be so dramatic too. Thanks for showing us through the use of you renderings how the colors can be implemented.
Thanks! Yes, I find it interesting that the rich and often darker colors can be serene but dramatic at the same time.
First of all, I love your ‘rebel’ room the best.
For all of the colours of the year, I don’t really have a favourite. It’s unusual for me not to have a favourite.
Thank you!! So glad you like my “rebel room” and I love that name:)
Lovely Post MaryAnn! I love how you transformed the room with the different color palettes!
Thanks so much Lauren!
It’s fun to see all of the dramatic changes color can make in each image.
Thank you! Color really is the amazing secret sauce of a design:)
You did a good job showing us how these colors could work together, MaryAnn, despite an uninspiring set of choices by PPG. Your comments about this mirror my own thoughts.
Thanks so much Leslie!
Great post but I admit, what were they thinking? I appreciate PPG trying a new approach. We’ll leave it at that. In terms of color choices, your own color palette is my favorite by far. Well done Mary, great color choices!
Thanks so much Amy!
Yes, I hear you on three colors at once not so cool for me either. But as always, your expertise at paints and combos pulled this palette off beautifully. Not a fan of the crimson one though for myself …:(
Thanks Mitzi! Yes, that is my least favorite of them all, but sure it would work nicely in the right space. Just not in this bedroom.