This month, Pantone released its colour of 2015, Marsala, named after a full-bodied red wine.

The warm, wine-themed colour evokes happiness and satisfaction.

The colour was chosen for its versatility and appeal to both men and women, a contrast to last year’s Radiant Orchid, which was more feminine.

Marsala is robust, earthy and fulfilling

Marsala is robust, earthy and fulfilling

Marsala is expected to be more popular in homewares and as a highlight feature to warm up interiors. Traditionally this colour would be more winter-based so it will be interesting to see how it is translated in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

Pantone has released some pairings to go along with Marsala, which are mostly neutral, muted and earthy.

Pantone Pairing Colour Palettes: 2015

Pantone pairing colour palettes: 2015

Australians might see the colour come through more in interiors as we head toward autumn and winter, but accessories and beauty products are already quick to pick up the trend, with berry colours being found in nail polishes, blushers and lipsticks.

Marsala is evident in one of the four Dulux palettes released earlier in 2014 (Silent Shift), while the pairings are reminiscent of the Wildland and Earthworks palettes. The Dulux colour forecasts four main colourways linked by the banner of Connection. Of the four categories, only Modhaus has a bold palette, with the others keeping to an understated and softer approach.

Silent Shift is the second collection and is a warmer more adventurous colour palette with ‘Pink’ being the dominant/stand out colour. Where the other colourways invite connection, this palette seeks to ‘permit disconnection from technology and stimuli and find a reconnection with oneself in peaceful contemplation’.

Silent Shift Swatch by Dulux

Silent Shift swatch by Dulux

While Marsala has been named as the key colour going forward, interestingly the pairings are already seen in furniture, particularly the earthy green tones which were everywhere at this year’s Saturday in Design in Melbourne. Also below are the two other colourways from Dulux which are shown to complement Marsala.

Wildland reflects the Australian land and seascape and is moody, sophisticated, tactile and organic. The colour palette echoes materiality in stone, wood and leather.

Wildland Swatch by Dulux

Wildland swatch by Dulux

The last colour direction is Earthworks, which literally takes it cues from earth tones, plants and nature and seeks to provide a reconnection with the earth and translating that to an indoor setting.

Earthworks Swatch by Dulux

Earthworks swatch by Dulux

Of the four colourways, Wildland and Earthworks were the most evident at Melbourne in Design 2014, translated in a furniture and textile context, in particular moss/sage green and inky Indigo blues.

Adam Goodrum's Aran Lounge and Boron Flooring colour swatches reflect trends

Adam Goodrum’s Aran Lounge reflect trends

What is clear from these palettes is that we are invited to rediscover the natural world in the form that we most identify with.

Haymes Paints also put out its colour forecast recently and went with similar themes of reconnection to nature, tranquillity and relaxation.

Exotic Botanic colour forecast

Exotic Botanic colour forecast

Haymes’ forecast predicts “Exotic Botanic” colour choices, which features similar colours to Marsala and places heavy emphasis on reconnection, home, opulence and a return to traditional values.

 Styling Exotic Botanic

Exotic Botanic

The Marsala palette is evident in styling imagery from Haymes, so it seems most drivers are there to direct fashion, textiles in a similar direction. Interestingly, most fashion houses have already taken up the colour as it fits well with all skin tones and can read in a different way dependent on texture and sheen.

With similar colourways emerging, it seems the trend is clear – it is time to slow down and re-engage with home as a calming nurturing space. The colours sit well with a variety of other tones, both complementary and contrasting, so it might eventuate that Marsala is a more popular choice than was first thought.

Marsala is evident through many forecasts and has already found itself on the runway and red carpet

Marsala is evident through many forecasts and has already found itself on the runway and red carpet

By Debbie Cluer, Ruth Newman Architects