“It’s not easy being Green…like the color of leaves…” sang Kermit in the 1980’s. For the outdoor industry, the news that color experts from Pantone, have selected a green, Emerald specifically, as the 2013 color of the year in their Home + Interiors Color Forecast, is not easy to embrace.
For years, fabric and finishes have been moving away from forest, emerald and marine awning greens to the much more embraceable olives, sage, and heather greens, let alone, the tremendous range of every other color now available in outdoor textiles. However, much like the Tango Orange of 2012, Pantone’s pick may surprise and find a renewed home in the outdoors on pillows to accessories. 
While waiting to see if Emerald will shine, there are numerous color trends within the 2013 Pantone forecast that are worth noting and sure to please outdoor pallets. In the December 2012 issue of gifts and decorative accessories, Pantone’s full 2013 color decisions were broken down into multiple collection themes such as Connoisseur, Footprints, Sojourn, Out of the Ordinary, Glamour, New Old School, Rugged Individuals, Extracts and Surface Treatments. 
The Connoisseur Collection was described by editor, Caroline Kennedy, as taking a fresh approach to celebrating the finer things and featured ten color suggestions that included a “Champagne Beige” to “Silver Grey;” a “Patrician Purple” to a “Pink Nectar.” The “Violet Quartz” may be a winning hue as a cross between burgundy and magenta, regal yet rosy. Symbolizing a journey, the Sojourn Collection was characterized as magical. The description does not do the collection justice as one finds no pixie dust pinks. The magic may be in how perfectly it befits outdoor living with warm, yet comfortable colors from a soft yellow beige “Pampas” to a “Winter Moss” green. Any from this group, possibly with the exception of “Baton Rouge”, would be at home in a luxury outdoor room.
The Extracts Collection offers the “Dusty Pinks” and “Brandied Melons,” while the Out of the Ordinary delivers just that, bold blue, violet and “Golden Rod” yellows. All true complements and pops of color for any porch or patio. It may not be easy being green; but looking below the surface of a creature or a color forecast can deliver gems for outdoor decor, Emeralds and all. LRPR
About Laurie Rudd/laurie rudd public relations and marketing. Laurie Rudd, the owner of laurie rudd public relations and marketing since 2007, is a free-lance writer in the outdoor products and living category. Her firm works with manufacturers of quality outdoor living products, home furnishings and accessories providing traditional and social media relations, promotion, trade and consumer marketing and advertising assistance. www.laurieruddpr.com
