I can't lie!  When I saw the headline in the Wall Street Journal a few days ago I was stunned.  Really?  The Colors of the Year are light pink and baby blue?  The first image that popped into my head was of a room full of babies crawling around in their baby blue and light pink onesies! These are the colors we paint the nursery walls not view strutting down the runways.  The thought of seeing my Cuisinart in soft pink and my coffee maker in baby blue made me cringe.  But, these, my friends, are Pantone's colors of the year: Rose Quartz and Serenity!

I have to admit, though, that the longer I look at them and the more pictures I see, the more they grow on me.  And, I presume this is what will happen to you, too.  These colors will start showing up all around you - in the clothes you wear, the appliances you use and the furniture and accessories you live with.  They'll be mixed with other colors so you won't even notice they are there.  Soon they will be a part of your everyday life.

They will become so common, that they will no longer surprise us.  They aren't bad colors, in fact, they are quite beautiful, especially in combination with other colors.

Once I overcame my shock, I went into my studio to see what stones I had that would fall into the Rose Quartz/Serenity category because I will need to start incorporating them in my designs if I'm going to keep up with the fashion trends.  Fortunately for me I have a stash of faceted rose quartz that I bought years ago and never found a use for and some beautiful light blue aquamarine that is going to be perfect for Spring's fashion palette.  I also have some pieces in inventory that will be perfect with these new colors.

Other stones you'll likely see more of as we head into Spring in pink tones are Morganite, Pink Tourmaline, Sapphire, and pearls.  In the light blue category along with aquamarine look for light blue topaz, tanzanite and sapphire. 

I'll focus on the other Spring colors in my next blog, but for now here is what Pantone has to say about their Colors of the Year selection along with the other colors in the Spring 2016 Palette.

A UNISEX PALETTE

Colors this season transcend cultural and gender norms. Vivid brights give way to excitement and optimism, though quiet stability prevails in this season’s palette. For Spring 2016 there are truly no perceivable distinctions in color choices between the men’s and women’s collections, both of which focus on a desire to breathe and reflect, then play.

The soothing, calming nature of colors in the Spring collections are led by Rose Quartz, a persuasive yet gentle tone that conveys compassion and a sense of composure. Like a serene sunset, flushed cheek or budding flower, Rose Quartz reminds us to reflect on our surroundings during the busy but lighthearted spring and summer months.

The fashion and design communities, and consequently, consumers, have been in love with orange for several seasons. Coming to the fore this Spring is Peach Echo, a shade that emanates friendlier qualities, evoking warmth and accessibility. It is an all-encompassing, tempered companion in the playful orange family.

Weightless and airy, like the expanse of the blue sky above us, Serenity comforts with a calming effect, bringing a feeling of respite even in turbulent times. A transcendent blue, Serenity provides us with a naturally connected sense of space.

A maritime-inspired blue, Snorkel Blue plays in the navy family, but with a happier, more energetic context.  The name alone implies a relaxing vacation and encourages escape. It is striking yet still, with lots of activity bursting from its undertones.

While the majority of the Spring/Summer palette trends toward calmness, a few diversions from the theme emerge that offer a contrast. With Buttercup, designers reveal a shining beacon transporting its wearer to a happier, sunnier place.

A shade of aqua that leans toward the green family, Limpet Shell is clear, clean and defined. Suggestive of clarity and freshness, its crisp and modern influences evoke a deliberate, mindful tranquility.

As in most any season, the need for neutrals arises. Essentially a basic, the subtlety of the lilac undertone in, Lilac Gray, adds a distinctive edge to this classic gray shade.

The high energy Fiesta is a harbinger of excitement, encouraging free-spirited exploration to unknown but welcoming locales. A strong and fiery, yellow-based red, the vivid Fiesta provides a stark contrast to the calming, softer nature of this season’s palette.

A transitional color that will take us through the seasons, Iced Coffee manifests as another strong neutral for the season. With its natural earthy quality, the softness and subtlety of Iced Coffee creates a stable foundation when combined with the rest of this season’s palette.

Green Flash calls on its wearer to explore, push the envelope and escape the mundane, radiating an openness that combines with the rest of the palette in unexpected but serendipitous ways. The popularity of this brilliant hue is representative of nature’s persistent influence even in urban environments, a trend continuing to inspire designers.