Dark brown is emerging as a refreshing alternative and complement to gray — and its versatility may surprise you.

With gray as the go-to neutral in interior design for years, it’s no surprise that the time has come for another color to take the stage. Browns and beiges have seen their popularity soar not only in design but in fashion as well — with brown a particular darling on the runways in Paris and Milan. And for good reason: Brown works well across styles and pairs with a wide range of colors, including gray.

The Sherwin-Williams 2021 Color of the Year, Urbane Bronze SW 7048 (245-C7), beautifully proves the point. The color has earned a solid place in designs from rustic (think mountain cabins filled with rough-hewn wood and stone) to elegant (in keeping with the tailored look of leather, wood and metal in classic modern design), and it’s the perfect counterpoint to gray and beige.

As one of the hues from the Colormix^® Color Forecast’s Sanctuary palette, Urbane Bronze is especially rooted in the influences of Scandinavian design, warm minimalism, nesting and biophilia (bringing nature inside). How does the color so beautifully encapsulate these forces and capture a feeling with such appeal? For a deeper understanding, look no further than Scandinavia.

Whether it’s a city apartment or a countryside retreat, Scandinavian homes are rooted in some way to nature. Often, it’s in the form of wood paneling, floors and furnishings, with light woods such as ash and beech, as well as rich woods such as teak, among the most commonly used species. Architectural lines lean toward the clean and uncomplicated, furnishings toward the understated — all with an emphasis on craft. “In the mid-20th century, Scandinavian designers invented — or, at the very least, perfected — warm minimalism as a style,” Sherwin-Williams Director of Color Marketing Sue Wadden says. “Even in interiors primarily painted white, there’s some simple, sophisticated aspect of warmth.”

Natural fabric fibers, stone, pottery and metal combine with wood to create that warmth, as well as the comfort of hygge, which Scandinavians consider a state of mind versus a style. Small lamps, candles and, whenever possible, fireplaces further the sense of nesting and ease inherent in hygge. “For nesting, it’s hard to beat this look,” Wadden says.

Urbane Bronze provides a natural complement to clean architectural lines and organic decorative elements.

Urbane Bronze feels right at home within the hygge mindset and environment. Inspired by essential elements of the earth, such as stone, metal and wood, it conveys nature at its simplest and most grounded to create a warm, welcoming feeling. “Frankly, this is the color we need right now,” Wadden says. “Spending time at home should be special, and Urbane Bronze provides a beautiful nod to nature.”