SW Color of the Year 2017
September 2, 2016 § 4 Comments
OKay then! If you hang around long enough…(as they say…)
Taupe is back. The color we’ve spent the last decade ridding our houses of is now Sherwin Williams’ Color of the Year for 2017. Poised Taupe is the color — SW 6039 — and you have to love the description:
“Earthen brown combines with conservative grey and the result is a weathered, woodsy and complex neutral that celebrates the imperfections and authenticity of a well-lived life.” — Anytime somebody celebrates imperfections, I’m in!
But here’s what you should know about taupe. It can change radically with the light and the time of day. What looks a little brown can turn pink, purple, or green depending not only on the time of day but also on the lightbulb. Just so you know. Taupe can have a pink undertone as well that clashes horribly with the orange of a red oak hardwood floor. Another caution. But paired with white like its fan deck sibling Gauzy White SW 6035, a silver metal (not gold or brass), hardwood with a gray undertone, and fabrics in other light neutrals with a pink undertone like Cultured Pearl SW 6028, and you truly have a soft, restful combination that harkens back to those glorious. taupe-filled 50s. That’s 1950s!
Personally, I’m going to ride this one out, but I can appreciate how we’re moving from the grays into the taupes (without the yellow undertone of a previous color swing). Like I tell my clients, just because it’s the Color of the Year does not mean it’s perfect for your house. If you are considering taupe, make sure you have a lot of natural light coming in the window and (hopefully) some modern furnishings, shiny metals and glass. Try to avoid pairing with cherry wood. If you have concerns, talk to me!
Meanwhile, let’s get painting.
Your Home & Color Coach 
I need help what color to paint the outside of my house with a green metal roof, white Windows with red and brown brick??
Hi Lynn,
Have a look at Craftsman Brown SW2835 (Sherwin Williams). Then for the front door, you can tie in the roof with something like Billiard Green SW 0016. See if that works for you.
https://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/find-and-explore-colors/paint-colors-by-family/SW2835
https://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/find-and-explore-colors/paint-colors-by-family/SW0016-billiard-green
See if that helps.
-Barbara
Your Home & Color Coach
I was thinking of this for my house exterior in Arizona. I strongly dislike the red/brown traditional southwest browns. We also painted a swatch of Dunn Edwards Bison Beige but I like the slightly more gray tone of the taupe. Plan to pair with a creamy white trim. Thoughts? Thanks.
Hi Kristen,
As long as the taupe does not have a pink undertone, the creamy trim will be lovely. The Bison Beige works great with cream as well. Go for it!! Taupe works a lot better on the exterior than on the interior. Lots more light and no wood floor/furniture to compete with. Thanks for asking.
-Barbara
Your Home & Color Coach