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Finally, a Color of the Year That Dares to Dream

Paint company Sherwin-Williams has just announced its 2018 Color of the Year, and as far as house paint goes, it’s quite breathtaking: Oceanside SW 6496, an intense shade of blue-green that, according to the company’s color experts, encapsulates our growing sense of adventure—in how we decorate our homes and otherwise!

“People today have a growing sense of adventure, and it is making its way into even the coziest corners of our homes,” says Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams. “We are craving things that remind us of bright folklore, like mermaids and expeditions across continents. Oceanside is the color of wanderlust right in our own homes.”

We have to say, it’s a nice change from all the “safe” colors (like those 50 shades of white) which typically dominate people’s homes. And interior designers roundly applaud this new paint color pick.

“Shades of deep teal have definitely been trending in the home space for several years,” says Donna Garlough, style director at Wayfair.com. “This shade is bolder and brighter than what we’ve been seeing to date, but for homeowners who love drama and want a color with a ‘wow’ factor, this is definitely a great option.”

Some say the shade signals a return to opulence.

“There are buildings that are hundreds of years old which have examples of rich, dramatic color palettes like [Oceanside]—ballrooms, theaters, opera houses,” points out Landy Gardner of Landy Gardner Interiors. “Those deep and vibrant colors suggested opulence, which is coming back in today’s design.”

How to infuse your home with Oceanside

Still, Oceanside’s intensity could easily overtake your home, which is why many designers urge homeowners to add only a splash.

“I would use this color in small spaces to make a bold and impactful punch—think powder room, entryway, or a small study,” says Drew Henry, founder of Design Dudes.

“Since this is a darker color, make sure to lighten it up with bright accents,” he adds. “I’d add trim and crown molding in crisp whites, light marble tile, or white furniture and pillows. Adding this trendy color in small spaces makes your home feel relevant and also keeps it timeless when paired with crisp whites and grays in the rest of the interior.”

Yet some designers think a “less is more” approach is just too timid for a color like this. Laura Michaels believes it’s best to go all out.

“I used this color in a home office and used it on the walls, seagrass carpet, velvet sofa, and also on the custom lacquered wall unit,” says Michaels. “It was a small room, and it gave it a big feel because everything was the same color. The room would have been fairly uninteresting if we didn’t make such a big color choice, and it remained interesting by the use of textural versus color changes.”

See her pic below and decide for yourself!

As for what to pair it with, designer Bobby Berk suggests, “Oceanside‘s rich saturation pairs well with other deep-toned leathers and woods in a den, office, bedroom, or even living room. Its jewel-like tint allows for combinations of marigold, saffron, and Kelly green, and is versatile in masculine or feminine schemes, and everywhere in between! I could see this color on kitchen cabinets in a matte or high gloss, or in a powder room or entry.”

One caveat: “I would stay clear of the color in large, expansive spaces that have tall ceilings,” says Angela Harris at TRIO environments. “It is highlighted better in a more compressed environment.”

“I don’t know that it works well for an open floor plan, where several rooms should be treated the same way,” Gardner adds. “And I would not suggest this color in a bedroom—it is too strong. However, I recently painted a dining room a similar color and it is breathtaking. It’s best in a confined space, and a place that is ‘special.’”

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