Colour of the year 2021 – The Sofa Version

December was a month full of news. Among it all, there was one piece of news that particularly involved the world of design – the election of the ‘colour of the year’. Whilst Pantone remains the most authoritative voice in this field, there are other entities that are beginning to gain more and more attention from the experts.

This is the case for Akzonobel, a Dutch multinational company specialising in the production of paints and coatings. The experts at the Global Aesthetic Centre analyse the latest trends in a wide range of sectors and interpret the results through a symbolic colour that influences the way consumers furnish their homes from year to year.

For 2021, the colour of choice for Akzonobel, through its decorative paint brand Sikkens, is ‘Brave Ground’. Literally ‘brave ground’, it is a neutral shade that has been extremely popular recently. With its warm and natural nuance, ‘Brave Ground’has the ability to emphasise other colours.

In 2020, ’Brave Ground’ was preceded by ‘Tranquil Dawn’, an evanescent teal that inspires calm and serenity, but this year’s theme will be decidedly warmer and a harbinger of balance and awareness.

‘Brave Ground’ is not only a sensory stimulus, it is also a very versatile colour that can be used in various environments. When combined with brighter colours, it gives them light and enhances their visibility throughout the day.

As a manufacturer of design products, Calia Italia enthusiastically welcomes the colour proposals for 2021 and we already have the chosen shades available in the upholstery of our sofas, armchairs and footstools. For example, ‘Brave Ground’ stands out (in various ways) on models such as Elisir, a sofa with soft shapes resting on slender, rigorous spiked feet.

There’s also Eclettico, a modular sofa bed, capable of creating different compositions to satisfy multiple functions – from sleeping to relaxing and sharing to living.

Or even our armchair and small armchair models, such as Norman (designed by Daniele Della Porta) with its forward-sloping tubular structure and Cocò, a compact model with slender metal feet inserted into the armrests.

Pantone, however, has made a different choice and proposed a combination of two colours for 2021: ‘Ultimate Grey’ (Pantone 17-5104) and ‘Illuminating Yellow’ (Pantone 13-0647). According to Pantone, the combination of these two colours is a symbol of rebirth and of the search for new energy in the year ahead. It is indeed a real boost of optimism to finally leave 2020 behind.

How can we not mention Calia Italia’s Lazy model, a modular sofa with soft, welcoming lines inspired by the shape of a cushion. This model (winner of the German Design Award 2020 Excellent Product Design category) is featured in Pantone’s ‘Colour of the year 2021’ version.

Explaining their choice in a statement, Pantone says, ‘at a time when people are trying, in every possible way, to find energy, clarity and hope to reinvigorate themselves and overcome this continuous phase of uncertainty, shades that instil grit and courage respond to our need for vitality’.

Of course, the combination of the two Pantone colours chosen for 2021 can be achieved with all furnishings. So here are the Calia Italia ‘Illuminating Yellow’ models that can be combined with ‘Ultimate Grey’ products. Giuggiola, an armchair that exalts the beauty and strength of women and Jacob: Mini version, inspired by the classic style of bergère reading chairs.

The most popular Calia Italia models in the ‘Ultimate Grey’ version that can be combined with ‘Illuminating Yellow’ furniture pieces are Toby Wing, Gianduiotto and Nicolas.

The first one, Toby Wing, is known as ‘the sofa with wings’ because of its adjustable armrests and backrest that allow for a considerable extension of the seat that can turn it into a real Daybed.

Gianduiotto is an elegant and versatile model which, thanks to its freely positionable backrest and armrest, allows you to choose any seating position.

Finally Nicolas is a modern and sophisticated sofa with rigorous shapes and soft padding.

When furnishing the environment in which you live, the choice of colours is fundamental and this is why Calia Italia offers its customers over 400 different shades. Discover all the models!

If you want to discover the 2022 trends, read more here:

https://www.caliaitalia.com/2022/01/divani-colore-very-peri-pantone-2022/
https://www.caliaitalia.com/2023/02/divani-colore-anno-2023-viva-magenta/