Hue Knew? Neutrals to Neons to Neutral, Again?
Inside the heart of Lawrence Hall stands a library filled to the brim with books, magazines, architectural models, and a collection of House Beautiful books spanning from the early twentieth century to the late 1900s. Contained within these books are advertisements popularizing everything from air conditioning and the “Plastic Age” during the mid-century to Victorian Era eclecticism and intense ornamentation. They lead all the way up to the newest and brightest technologies that defined the turn of the century. It’s a time capsule of everything decoration, design, and architecture–reflecting the age from which it was produced. But one aspect of these magazines is often overlooked and overshadowed by other glamour and an ever-increasing modernity–color.
1900-1920: When looking at these magazines, it may be difficult to tell what colors defined the beginning of the 1900s, as the images are, of course, in black and white. However, the colors used in homes during this period were rudimentary and lacked saturation. Natural materials such as stone and wood were used frequently, but walls were often draped with a muted hue like cream or off-white. This colonial revival style was defined by simplicity and little decoration, most notably for the middle class. Wealthier elites had the opportunity to celebrate color within their homes or dress, using tones such as red, light purple, and vast shades of green. Nonetheless, colors such as muted browns, smooth creams, and dusty roses represented restraint and practicality, taking after the natural environment.
1930-1950: The 1930s quickly became influenced by rising Modernism, taking after the Bauhaus movement and Walter Gropius’s emphasis on interdisciplinary education and craftswork. He sought to embrace architecture, sculpture, and painting in one, bringing in touches of primary color to his designs that were otherwise black, gray, and white. Bright, pungent colors added touches of life, but as the United States was experiencing war and depression, lighter hues like pale blues and lavender, muted gold, or seafoam green challenged these darker times. During this wartime and interwar period, reds, khakis, and dark blues reflected patriotism and American nationalism. The mass production of housing post-World War II used simple, universally accepted colors to show the shift to suburbanism and an easy-going, calm life. Shades of white are a timeless color in homes, and these suburban homes were a primary example of starting with the blank, white space and adding personal touches to create a “homey” home.
1960-1980: Vibrant shades of orange, green, sunshine yellows, and magenta nod to the 1960s slogan, “make peace, not war” as the hippie movement swept through American culture. A freer, psychedelic outlook presented a shift after the stringent patriotism of the 40s and propriety of the 50s. A newfound flamboyance and playful novelty towards products, architecture, and interior design defined consumer culture and aesthetics. The grooviness of this era experimented with exuberant pinks and mellow yellow, mixing and matching color pairs that were not typically used in the interior. Self-expression contributed to a deviance from mainstream culture, where vibrancy and fun patterns were encouraged. The 70s brought with it warm, earthy tones, using colors such as avocado and harvest gold in interiors. This decade was a kaleidoscope of color, mixing these earthy colors with pastels and vibrant hues, expressing boldness and serenity in the later twentieth century. The organisism and richness of the colors used created the laid-back vibe of the 70s. Retro flairs of metallics are characteristic of a sophisticated and glamorous home. House Beautiful contains pictures of natural geometric murals, using wood as a base for pale yellows and rich greens. Brighter colors began to creep into homes as the 80s encroached on modern design. 1980s design is famous for electric shades and neon colors, housing arguably kitschy yet eye-catching designs. High-contrast decor and wallpaper reflected the movement of technology and the shift to an increasingly capitalistic and consumer-driven society. These color choices created an intense, in-your-face aesthetic but permeated interior design choices despite their overwhelming nature.
1990s-2000s: The 1990s reverted back to a simpler, more restrained color palette, with new neutrals being lighter shades of the hues dominant the decade before. 90s grunge introduced darker, subdued colors such as dark reds, raspberry, and unsaturated greens and blues. Similar to the colonial style, articles in House Beautiful demonstrate the shift to more liveable shades: soft colorings of dull golds and quiet beauty. Authenticity and antiquity dominated interior design principles, straying almost completely from the brightness of the 70s and 80s. A sense of minimalism appears, bringing back the prevalence of white in domestic spaces. Light brown, tan, calm shades of blue, blue-gray, and blue-greens were popular in the early 2000s, appearing slightly more sterile, yet comfortable. In 2011, Sherwin Williams began announcing their “Color of the Year,” beginning with Indigo Batik, a dark blue that offers accent and balance within a home. So, how have the previous “Colors of the Year” reflect the 2010s and into our modern life?
2012: Sherwin William’s Color of the Year is Argyle, a bright and peppy blue-green teal. Whether you chose this color for your elementary school bedroom (which unfortunately lasted a decade), or as an accent wall, this teal shade dominated 2012.
2013: Sherwin William’s Color of the Year is Aloe, a minty green, looking fresh and new! A subtlety after Argyle’s reign.
2014: Sherwin William’s Color of the Year is Exclusive Plum, a deep purple that combines blue, red, and gray to make a sensible shade of “plum.”
2015: Sherwin William’s Color of the Year is Coral – quite a throwback. Chunky coral necklaces or blouses were not only a fashion trend, but a vivacious interior design choice.
2016: Sherwin William’s Color of the Year is Alabaster, a creamy white shade. Although white has always been in style, 2016 brought back this timeless color as its most popular shade. It’s peaceful and easy-on-the-eyes, dethroning bright Argyle and Coral.
2017: Sherwin William’s Color of the Year is Poised Taupe – not just taupe, of course. It’s a soft brown mixed with a muted gray, offering depth and bringing back the earthy tones that defined the 70s.
2018: Sherwin William’s Color of the Year is Oceanside; can you guess the shade? This deeply saturated blue infuses energy and vibrancy within the interior.
2019: Sherwin William’s Color of the Year is Cavern Clay, With a slightly Bohemian flair, Cavern Clay is more intricate than appears – an off-white, terracotta shade with pink undertones.
2020: Sherwin William’s Color of the Year is Naval, a deep blue, perhaps a twin to navy.
2021: Sherwin William’s Color of the Year is Urbane Bronze, a subtle dark gray that is grounding and described as “not too simple.”
2022: Sherwin William’s Color of the Year is Evergreen Fog, taking after its name as a simple, foggy pale green. This natural tone is green-gray, muted and classic.
2023: Sherwin William’s Color of the Year is Redend Point, a soulful tan color, with hints of orange-pink that resemble light terracotta.
2024: Sherwin William’s Color of the Year is Upward, a baby-blue shade of calm and total tranquility.
2025: Finally, the Sherwin Color of the Year is Clove, a deep gray-black shade, perfect to bring out the subtle colors within a home, highlighting the tiles, natural wood, or detailing that contrasts against this dark color.
Today, these colors are not necessarily in one concise grouping, ranging from Coral to Evergreen Fog, but together, somehow determine the movement of the 2010s. When you picture the past decade, what colors appear in your head? How would those describe the political and social eras of the time? During the patriotism push in the 1940s, colors that make up the American flag were most prominent. Will greens be characteristic of the “green thumb” or the popularization of sustainability? Or will Bohemian Flair reflect COVID-19 protocols and our homes as a safe-space? Either way, each era has a certain hue, saturation, or neutral essence that expresses the time.
I’ll leave you with this: If you had to guess a Sherwin William’s Color of the Year for 2026, what would it be and why?