Get the Look: PANTONE’s Fall 2012 Colors

PANTONE was established in the 1950s to standardize colors in the arts and printing industry as well as in graphic design. From products to trends, PANTONE has the upper hand in calling which colors will be “it” for each season. They’ve released their fall 2012 color report, which include a rich coffee blend, a bright citrus favorite and a smoky rose. Here's how to incorporate each of these hot colors into your own home.

French Roast (PANTONE 19-1012) is a deep, dark chocolatey brown with black hints. Beautiful, but not for an entire room. That’s why we love seeing it in this geometric pillow. Use colors like this sparingly throughout your home in patterns and small accent pieces to keep the mood light and airy. The last thing you want in the cloudy winter months is to make your home feel even darker.

To buy: Waverly Side Step Avocado, $60

What better way to match your home décor to the season than adding a sweater-inspired bowl? Warm up your table with a Honey Gold (PANTONE 15-1142) knitted accessory that will keep whatever you’d like to display nestled nice and cozy inside.

To buy: Ferm Living Knitted Basket, $104

OK, Pink Flambe (PANTONE 18-2133) is tough to pull off in décor. It works more easily in fashion than in the home, but you can still use it as a fun accent to liven it up a room without making it feel like an 8-year-old girl’s space. Adding something like a simple but sophisticated pink lamp can inject a sense of whimsy and fun without taking over.

To buy: Robert Abbey Delta Table Lamp, $189

If Tangerine Tango (PANTONE 17-1463) sounds familiar, it's because it’s the PANTONE Color of the Year. We’re huge fans of this bright hue and look forward to using it into the fall and winter months. We especially love these extra-bright eye-popping chairs—a set of four around your kitchen table is sure to keep those winter blues away.

To buy: CB2 Fleet Chair, $149

Ultramarine Green (PANTONE 18-5338) isn’t the grassy green of summer, but more like a cartoonish green, with blue undertones. Because of its seemingly unreal hue, we thought the perfect use of it would be something memorable. Inspired by table soccer, Norwegian designer Runa Klock created this awesome coat rack. Fun for the whole family, we can easily see this working well in any mudroom or entryway.

To buy: Runa Klock Offside Coat Rack, $115

We love Bright Chartreuse (PANTONE 14-0445) for fall—it keeps things lively and hints at spring. Chartreuse is challenging to commit to, but our solution is to take one big leap instead of baby steps. That’s why we love this whimsical hand crafted chandelier by Stray Dog Designs. It's not cheap, but if you’re going to take the leap, you might as well go all the way.

To buy: Stray Dog Designs Terrell Swan, $950

U-S-A! U-S-A! Can you hear the cheers when you see this color and hear the name “Olympian Blue” (PANTONE 19-4056)? What we might have called almost cobalt has a completely new meaning with a name like that. IKEA has a great selection of blue flatware and other serving pieces that will start your Olympics-viewing parties off in style. Go Team USA!

To buy: IKEA DITO Flatware, $15

Gray can easily give you a case of “the blahs,” but there’s something about Titanium (PANTONE 17-4014) that feels soft and calming, maybe even a little zen. Graphic trellis and lattice-style prints, bamboo, and gray are all very much in vogue these days, so this pouf is like a trend trifecta!

To buy: Lattice Bamboo Pouf, $150

Purple is not the most interior designer-friendly color, but you can pull it off if you know the best places to use it. For example, we like the soothing lavender-esque properties of this particular shade. And where better to be soothed but in bed? These sheets, as comfortable, breathable and soft as your favorite T-shirt, get as close to Rhapsody (PANTONE 16-3817) as possible.

To buy: Room Essentials Jersey Sheets, $20 to $42

Rose Smoke (PANTONE 14-1506) ain’t your mama’s 1980s mauve. Is it pink? Purple? Gray? Yes to all of the above. Just don’t call it mauve. We got as close as possible with this paint. Using this color on a wall or even painting some wood furniture with it will definitely draw some attention. It has a light, feminine feeling that pairs perfectly with Honey Gold and Chartreuse accessories.

To buy: Benjamin Moore Rose Silk, from $7