In a world where sleep is viewed as a luxury and the anxiety of a fast-paced life is all too real, it is only fitting that PPG paint brand’s 2020 Color of the Year, Chinese Porcelain (PPG1160-6), offers escapism in today’s technologically driven society. Hand-selected by PPG’s global color experts, the shade is a blend of cobalt and moody ink blue that imparts calmness and restful sleep while also offering the spirit of hopefulness — a commodity in a restless world.
“The faster technology moves and the more convenience it offers, the more we seek activities, experiences and lifestyles that impart slowness and realness into our lives,” says Dee Schlotter, Senior Color Manager, PPG paint brand. “The need for simplicity and escapism from technology is, in part, the reason that consumers are craving blues like Chinese Porcelain that bring us closer to natural elements such as the sea and sky — creating serenity in any space.”
The increasing need for connection in an unmoored world was a reoccurring theme at the recent PPG Global Color Workshop. This annual event brings together more than 20 PPG global color stylists from the automotive, consumer electronics, aerospace and home paint and stain industries. Over the course of several days, the stylists analyze the runway, lifestyles, demographics, geographies, and global and cross-cultural societal inspirations to determine what colors will resonate and represent the PPG global color forecast, including the PPG Color of the Year.
“As we look to 2020, we know that color is the trend,” said Schlotter. “Consumers are tiring of stark grays and are looking to infuse colors that delight the senses. Blue is the easiest possible entry point from the world of neutrals to the world of color, and PPG’s Chinese Porcelain delivers the energy and brightness of cobalt blue – a trending hue taking the automotive, consumer electronics and fashion industry by storm. It also incorporates a deep, muted navy tone that is popular in residential and hospitality design.”
According to recent data released by Paintzen, a PPG-owned technology platform that allows customers to pick colors and schedule painting services, blue is the most explored color family by its users, with 34 percent higher engagement than neutrals — the next most popular color family on the site. Of the blue hues, Chinese Porcelain was the most engaged color on the platform over the past six months.
Chinese Porcelain is a rich and traditional hue that provides the perfect, agreeable backdrop for vivacious colors to pop. It also can act as a feature color in a bedroom with crisp white bedding and crown molding to provide a sharp contrast. In the living room space, the hue can be layered with additional blues in tufted and velvet furniture or paired with trending metallic finishes like Hushed Copper (MTL141) from the PPG Metallic Tones collection.
Schlotter recommends pairing Chinese Porcelain with décor such as lush drapes or velvet pillows in warm saffron and turmeric tones. The hue also pairs well with leather accents and dusty sand tones for an attention-grabbing look.
While Chinese Porcelain is recognized as the PPG 2020 Color of the Year, it is also the focal point for the broader PPG 2020 Global Color Trends Forecast. This forecast provides direction and inspiration to architects, designers and homeowners across the hotel, retail and residential markets. PPG’s customers in all business sectors rely on the forecast for new products and color specifications in the architectural, aerospace, automotive and consumer electronic industries.
