This 'n That Thursdays: Pantone's 2015 Color of the Year is Marsala!

Pantone recently announced its choice for the 2015 Color of the Year.  The color is called Marsala, and it has received decidedly mixed reactions.  I found the deep reddish brown shade a bit difficult to like at first, until I realized that one of my favorite lipstick shades (on the extremely rare occasions that I actually wear lipstick) is exactly this color.  From there I decided that Marsala, while not an exciting color, is an adaptable one that plays well with other hues.  For example, I paired it on a style board with Benjamin Moore's 2015 Color of the Year, which is called Guilford Green:

Benjamin Moore Guilford Green HC-116

The two colors, accented with silver and a bit of black and white, are quite pleasing together (and possibly even appropriate for the Christmas season!):

Clockwise from top left: Anda Armchair by Ligne Roset; Apollo Leatherette Sofa in Burgundy from Urban Ladder; Storybook Village Field of Beams Celadon Green Throw Pillow Cover from Society 6; E.F. Chapman Gourd 1 Table Lamp in Celadon Crackle Porcelain from Visual Comfort & Co.; Hammered Drum Table/Stool Collection from Viva Terra; Fluted Console Table in Antique Silver Finish from Signature Designs Home; Scirocco II Canvas by Farrell Douglass from Great Big Canvas; China Seas Damask San Marco Decorative Pillow Cover from Etsy; Center: Marimekko Geranium White/Black Throw Pillow from FinnStyle; Center background: Antigua Jute Rug in Wine from One Kings Lane; Background: Benjamin Moore Guilford Green HC-116 interior wall paint.

Pantone's 2015 Color of the Year may be an acquired taste, but it does seem to eventually grow on one if given the chance.  In fact, the only thing I don't really understand is the name choice.  Marsala wine is more of an amber brown color, or even a ruby red shade:

From Italian Food Excellence

From Histórias e Vinhos

Pantone's Marsala color has been unfortunately linked to the color of raw chicken livers by many bloggers:

From We Are Not Foodies

I am going to be more charitable and liken it more to the color of pâté (I know, pâté is a bit paler than the color swatch shown above, but which image do you consider to be more appetizing?):

From The Guardian

The pâté is closer in color to the Pantone Marsala fabric swatch, possibly because the loose weave of the fabric allows more of the white background to come through, giving the reddish shade more of a pinkish tinge:

From Apartment Therapy

Maybe the folks at Pantone should just resign themselves to the obvious and change the color name to something like "Parisian Pâté" (at least it sounds better than "Raw Chicken Liver")!