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Posted on: December 9, 2009

Reefs of Light

Coral is the color of new beginnings – energetic, elegant and enlivening, without a trace of recession.

By Christopher Adamson
CTW Features

Image courtesy Benjamin Moore

At the start of the new year, how do you want your home to feel? Do you want it to dwell in the toned-down shades of last year's troubles, or do you want to let it sing with the vibrant hues of hope to come?

Bring a healthy blush of optimism into your home with coral, an orange-pink hue inspired by tropical locales, conch shells and delicate reefs. It's an energizing, versatile color that brings the light of the beach inside, no matter where your home may be.

“Coral lives between peach and pink, so it has a level of sophistication,” says Leslie Harrington, the executive director of the Color Association of the United States. “For the most part, it has a hominess, a warmth to it that isn't overpowering.”

The New Pink: Traditional pink takes a backseat to coral in this rug, giving it a calmer feel. Image courtesy Anthropologie

Coral has the energy of reds and oranges, but without the overwhelming brightness. “I prefer to use coral as an alternate to true reds or pinks, as I think it's a little less traditional or overly feminine,” says Cassandra LaValle, a Seattle-based interior designer, stylist and blogger at CocoKelley.com.

“Coral has always found itself a favorite, which means that as much as it is sometimes perceived as 'trendy,' it really has become a classic color,” she says.

LaValle says the vibrant, organic color can be used in a variety of ways around the home, from full paint treatments to simple accents. “It truly depends on the type of environment the client wants to create,” she says. “Personally, I love coral as an accent color to fresh whites or warm neutrals, but paired with more dramatic blacks, rich chocolate browns, or unexpected colors like mustards or plums, it can take on an elegant quality.”

Tropical Living: A shade of darker coral paired with neutral accents brings the light of the beach to any room. Image courtesy Benjamin Moore

Benjamin Moore & Co. forecasts that their shade of darker coral, called “Claret Rose,” will be a color trend in 2010. “Claret Rose is a confident and flattering coral,” says Sonu Mathew, a senior interior designer at Benjamin Moore. “It specifically takes the traditional idea of coral and turns it inside-out with a deep vibrancy. The hue is captivating, perfectly bringing in the feeling of warmth on a crisp or cool day.”

Mathew advises contrasting dark corals with whites to bring out the color's energy, or pairing it with lighter corals for a soothing, sensual feel. Be careful with this brightness, though. “Coral used in abundance or with darker tones can feel very heavy,” says LaValle. She also suggests pairing it with bright whites, lighter neutrals or even lighter warm tones to create balance.

“In our fashion palette, we forecasted that coral would be the new pink,” says Harrington, adding that coral is lively and optimistic but not overpowering. “It takes the edge off.”