Is it the dinner special, the wine, or wasn’t there a dance craze called marsala? This year marsala is a color that the experts at Pantone have designated as the color of the year for 2015. Marsala, in its truest form, is a rich brownish red that exudes warmth and calls to mind images of sipping wine by the fire. Or perhaps it is just a rehash of the 80s mauve craze. The interpretation is up to you. However, there are some very pleasing ways to use this color in your home.
Create a bold and rich room by painting the walls marsala and layering warm woods and various shades of the color with furniture and accessories. Woods with medium to dark finishes blend well with marsala, giving it a rich look while adding texture. Use white paint for the trim for sharp contrast.
Add just a touch of marsala to your interior with an upholstered chair or sofa. Accent a room with pillows, throws and accessories in shades of marsala. Toss in a few complementary or contrasting colors and patterns to create interest and depth.
Marsala pairs well with beige, taupe, copper and various shades of blue and green. Jazz up your space with a contrasting turquoise or green. Keep the pairings subtle with hints of beige, taupe and copper. Use a patterned rug or fabric for inspiration.
To truly get a sense of how well the color of the year blends with greens, blues, beiges, taupe and copper, see the below samples. The mixture of colors is very pleasing and you can creatively contrast various shades of these into your room design.
Take a look at the different ways you can use marsala in your home and decide if it is right for you. If you love deep, rich colors that blend well with a variety of others, marsala may be worth a try.
