Benjamin Moore Shadow 2117-30

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Benjamin Moore Shadow 2117 – 30 has just been named by paint manufacturer, Benjamin Moore, as their *Color Of The Year 2017*, under the hashtag: #ColorTrends2017.

Dear readers, as most of you know, around this time of year, Benjamin Moore and all the other paint manufacturers choose one color they believe signals the color trend direction for the following year.

This week, at a magnificent event held at the New York Public Library, Benjamin Moore unveiled its choice for next year: a rich, deep, smoky amethyst color named, Shadow 2117 – 30.
In a recent Q & A with Architectural Digest, Benjamin Moore’s creative director, Ellen O’ Neill, cited several influences which led to her choice of Shadow 2117 -30.

On today’s post, we will examine the 5 influences she mentioned in more depth, so you will have a deeper visual understanding of her thought process.

Ready?

1. Her visit earlier this year to Villa Corbusier in France.
In her Q & A, she said that this visit led her into an examination of dark rooms, which led her to…

2. The book, In Praise of Shadows, first published in 1933, by Japanese author, Jun’ichiro Tanazaki, a series of essays on Japanese aesthetics.
From Wikipedia:

“The book consists of 16 sections that discuss traditional Japanese aesthetics in contrast with change. In addition to contrasting light and dark, Tanizaki further considers the layered tones of various kinds of shadows and their power to reflect low sheen materials like gold embroidery, patina and cloudy crystals. In addition, he distinguishes between the values of gleam and shine.

The text presents personal reflections on topics as diverse as architecture and its fittings, crafts, finishes, jade, food, cosmetics and mono no aware (the art of impermanence). Tanizaki explores in close description the use of space in buildings, lacquerware by candlelight, monastery toilets, and women in the dark of a brothel. The essay acts as “a classic description of the collision between the shadows of traditional Japanese interiors and the dazzling light of the modern age.”

3. Restaurants filled with tufted velvet banquettes.
The one below,the Black Forest restaurant by French designer Claude Cartier, caught our eye for being an excellent example of one that might have influenced her.
4. Botticelli – like fashion shoots.
This fashion shoot below, by famed Milanese fashion photographer Stella Bonasoni, was inspired by Botticelli’s famous painting, “Three Muses.”
Ms. Bonasoni’s work is stunning – she is a master of shadow – and we encourage you to look at her complete portfolio to understand how effectively light & shadow can be used to highlight beauty.
5. Russian Tea Room versus Scandinavian lightness.
In this image of New York City’s iconic restaurant, the Russian Tea Room, located across the street from Carnegie Hall, you can see how effectively light and shadow are being used to create a lush, multi-dimensional atmosphere. Long a haunt of New York’s musical and literary elite, the Russian Tea Room embodies all that is historical and luxurious in New York City.
Lastly, in this portion of the Q and A on Architectural Digest’s site, Ms. O’Neill said,

” People are looking for layers, it’s tactile materials, it’s textures, it’s palettes that are much more bold.”

We think the design of the Manko Restaurant in Paris, by the extremely talented young designer, Laura Gonzales, is as much of a visual evocation of the above statement as anything we’ve seen.
Isn’t this beautiful?

If you would like to read the full interview with Ms. O’Neill on Architectural Digest, including a wonderful video produced by Benjamin Moore about their #ColorTrends2017 choice for Color Of The Year 2017, please click here.

Readers: What do you think about Benjamin Moore’s color choice? Do you like Shadow 2117 -30…or not? Would you use it in your own homes? How would you use it?

Let us know in the comments!