Shadow 2117-30 by Benjamin Moore
Courtesy Benjamin Moore Shadow 2117-30 by Benjamin Moore

On Wednesday, Benjamin Moore revealed its 2017 Color of the Year at an event in the Stephan A. Schwarman Building of the New York Public Library. A bold step south from last year's choice of "Simply White", "Shadow" is a rich amethyst that is anything but neutral.

Dinner Party AF-300 by Benjamin Moore
Courtesy Benjamin Moore Dinner Party AF-300 by Benjamin Moore

“Allusive and enigmatic, Shadow is a master of ambiance. It is a color that calls to mind a ‘past,’ yet it can also make a contemporary, color-confident statement,” Ellen O’Neill, Benjamin Moore’s creative director, said in a press release. “[It is] sophisticated, provocative and poetic, it can bring energy to a space or harmony and a moment of respite.”

The company also unveiled Color Trends 2017, a corresponding palette that consists of similarly deep, saturated hues including "Guacamole," "Stormy Monday," and "Dinner Party"—a red that "creates both depth and drama", according to the release.

The company attributes their color choices to consumers’ newfound level of confidence in using bolder colors. The annual trends forecast is compiled after a year of research attending major industry shows worldwide, and tracks cues that emerge in architecture, textiles, and home furnishings, as well as fine art, which was cited as this year's leading inspiration.

Follow the link for more on this year's Color Trends palette, including swatches and suggested pairings.