Hasta La Ideas

Well, at least we can all agree on jewel tones. As the world stocks up on emerald everything in preparation for the serene, green 2013 predicted by Pantone with its latest Color of the Year crowning, AkzoNobel is enamored with another hue: “Indigo Night.” The Dutch paints and chemicals giant, which last week unloaded its North American architectural coatings business for $1.05 billion, has selected the “striking statement color associated with wisdom and honesty” as its own 2013 color of the year, one that the company likens to “a visual band-aid” for a hectic world.

“Like the dreamy ocean landscapes hidden from everyone but deep sea divers, this color gives us a sense of tranquillity and stability which is very restful,” notes AkzoNobel’s latest Color Futures report (downloadable as a PDF here), which highlights key trends that emerge from the company’s annual Color Convention. “It’s a big and benevolent colour which combines the trustworthy nature and evocative elegance of robust blue.” Good news for the Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland: the interior of its newly opened Farshid Moussavi-designed home is painted a stunning inky indigo that manages not to distract from the artwork on display. The selection of a deep, cool shade as AkzoNobel’s Color of the Year comes after a string of jazzier tones, including last year’s Terracotta Rose, a “blushing, juicy red,” and the “light, airy, citrus yellow” of 2011.

Previously on UnBeige: Go Green: Pantone Declares ‘Emerald’ Color of 2013

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