In February we introduced the cool and chic Aleutian SW 6241 (224-C3), styling it with delicate grays and crisp whites in tile and fabric swatches and a mix of denim blues. When balanced with black, warm wood tones, and rich chocolate-colored velvet, this dusty blue embodied a modern bohemian aesthetic, especially with touches of greenery and other natural textures. Alternatively, global prints and patterns, tropical nods, sunbleached wood tones, and a restrained collection of complementary colors gave Aleutian the feel of a seaside retreat in exotic climes.

Designer John McClain calls this grounded charcoal “a solid option that provides a moody, dramatic effect without going to the (very) dark side.” We’ve seen it styled with rich accent colors, like Sierra Redwood SW 7598 (125-C7) and Basque Green SW 6426 (154-C7), to create warm and modern spaces. For luxe eclecticism, a sweet pairing with warm El Caramelo SW 9106 (203-C6), plus glossy black and a shimmer of gold or brassy metallics made Iron Ore SW 7069 (251-C7) shine, especially composed with white linen and classic marble elements.

In 2022 we’ve continued to see a rise in muted palettes that promote mindfulness and well-being. In springtime this took the form of a calming and nourishing hue in April’s Alabaster SW 7008 (255-C2), which played nicely with an abundance of creamy colors, pale wood, and ultra-soft textures. Pink Shadow SW 0070 (Historic Collection) was a favorite pairing with what designer Kerrie Kelly calls an “understated and alluring hue … an oasis of calmness and ‘less-is-more’ visual relief.”

We continued to move through the year celebrating warmer tones, natural neutrals, and rosy beige bliss. Rose Tan SW 0069 (Historic Collection) bears an effortless sophistication that can skew friendly and whimsical with beautiful coordinates like Beige SW 2859 (Historic Collection), Woven Wicker SW 9104 (203-C4), and Über Umber SW 9107 (203-C7); or with the introduction of throwback motifs, and warmer textures, this cheerful retro-global hue becomes an anchor for midcentury-meets-contemporary styling.

Early summer ushered in the ultimate nostalgic hue, a color suited for modern coastal and casual bohemian spaces and a fitting homage to midcentury modern palettes. Basque Green SW 6426 (154-C7) is an herbal color that pairs beautifully with deep, inky blues—like Anchors Aweigh SW 9179 (253-C7) and Cascades SW 7623 (279-C1)—as well as warm Smokey Topaz SW 6117 (291-C6) and cooler whites and grays for a richly retro-revival aesthetic.

Complex and delightfully unexpected, joyful Chartreuse SW 0073 (Historic Collection) sparked conversation and creativity this year and will continue to be a trend on the rise in 2023—an energetic yellow-green that looks lovely with live plants, a bouquet of botanical pinks and purples such as Rosé SW 6290 (109-C3) and Blackberry SW 7577 (109-C7), and an eclectic and chilled-out mix of antiqued blues and cozy neutrals.

Shoji White SW 7042 (254-C4) is at home in environs characterized by warm modernism, and we’ve seen it as a key design choice in countless must-have looks this year. This tranquil and earthy warm white fits into understated Japandi styling that is muted and minimalistic, and it is super soothing nestled among layers upon layers of our best-loved neutrals, like Loggia SW 7506 (248-C2), Foothills SW 7514 (248-C7), Thunder Gray SW 7645 (278-C1), Quartersawn Oak SW 2836, and Alabaster SW 7008 (255-C2).

Long celebrated as a “perfect” white—as Design Council member Eneia White says, “a go-to choice that strikes a balance between cool and warm”—Snowbound SW 7004 (256-C2) reigned supreme this year, anchoring nostalgic pops of color like Bakelite Gold SW 6368 (128-C4), Naval SW 6244 (253-C6), and Festoon Aqua SW 0019 (Historic Collection). This clean white gets cozy with a whisper of color in Lite Lavender SW 6554 (189-C1), plush textiles, and the gentlest hints of teal.

A gallant gray-blue like Samovar Silver SW 6233 (222-C2) proves that classically cool neutrals never go out of style, and in fact can get an utterly modern makeover with some simple styling modifications. This neutral favorite is well balanced by rosy tones—Pink Shadow SW 0070 (Historic Collection) and Coral Clay SW 9005 (114-C4) are two standout shades—to skew cozy-cottage rustic, or lend it a sleek and modern touch with cooler blue complements, dark charcoal, and Pure White SW 7005 (255-C1).

This restrained herbal green is both modern and organic, and coordinating colors in nature-derived warm tones of khaki, beige, brown, and deepest evergreen give spaces a restful sense of harmony with the natural world. Rosemary SW 6187 (215-C6) is a versatile hue, and can be styled either modernist or with throwback artifacts and shapes, but it truly sings in support of a rich gallery of thoughtful design details, and it creates a cocooning sense of comfort in all-over monochromatic magic.