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diy tips: 10 ways to use the color of 2010

images from Pantone

Goodbye Mimosa yellow, hello Turquoise!

Pantone, the global authority in color (ok, this is debatable), announced last December that Turquoise is the big hue for 2010. From what I’ve read so far, people have mixed reviews over the new color-of-the-year. Some, especially those who love Turquoise, are raving about it. Others, who are probably unsure about the trendy-ness of the color, are not so enthusiastic about the announcement.

“Now, what is a little odd is that Turquoise was a big color for fashion LAST year and many lines have discontinued items in that color for this 2010 year (like Apple, Gucci, Beirn and HeysUSA). Perhaps Pantone was picking up on last year’s trends? “ [via ifitshipitshere]

While last year’s Mimosa carried vibes of optimism and positivity, this year’s Turquoise is all about the message of hope and better beginnings.

“There was no runner-up to turquoise in my mind because people crave escapism and freshness after a tough year. The shade is on the cusp of blue and green, which makes it both inviting and serene — characteristics associated with blues — and invigorating and luminous, which come from green. The public is shifting gears as the economy shows some improvement: They are ready to fantasize a bit about the beach resort,” Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, explains. [via PSFK]

Whether you think it’s hot or not, expect to see a lot of this color in fashion runways, furniture stores, and designer shops. I guess, the more important question is this: how do you use this color in design and decoration? The great thing about Turquoise is that it can be paired with a whole lot of colors because of its blue+green mix.

To help you out, here are my T E N   T U R Q U O I S E   P A L E T T E S   F O R   2 0 1 0.

1) Evoke the freshness of spring with BLUE + GREEN.

image from decorpad.com

2) Go vintage with RED + ORANGE.

images from freshnestdesign.com

3) Get glammed up with BLACK.

image via houseofturquoise.com

4) Create visions of restful getaways with bold turquoise against ORGANIC NEUTRALS.

image via houseofturquoise.com

5) Embrace summer fun at the beach with WHITES + DISTRESSED COLORS.

image via houseofturquoise.com

6) Childlike innocence is unmistakable with PINK+YELLOW.

image via houseofturquoise.com

7) Establish sophistication with CHOCOLATE BROWN.

image via design-ties.blogspot.com

8 ) Clean modernism is evident with SILVER + GRAYS.

image via decorpad.com

9) Revisit the interiors of Western period styles with CREAMS + RED + BROWNS.

image from atlanatahomesmag.com

10) Render your space in vibrant tropical colors with ORANGES + MAGENTA.

image from willowpoppy via flickr

Can’t get enough of this vibrant color? Visit houseofturquoise.com and everythingturquoise.com for more inspiration.