Design Notes
Paint companies like Sherwin-Williams have already announced their amazing Color of the Year choice, Redend Point, which draws from nature’s calm color palette. Benjamin Moore’s choice of Raspberry Blush, though, is closer in shade to the color selection made by the one company everyone in the fashion world looks to, Pantone. Designers and manufacturers alike waited with eagerness to hear Pantone’s color of the year announcement, and for 2023, their choice was Viva Magenta, a color described as a “crimson red tone that presents a balance between warm and cool. This hybrid of red and pink is a reflection of our current world’s relationship of living in both a physical and digital world. More and more homeowners are learning to blend their work and home lifestyles, which have become deeply entwined over the last couple of years. We know that color is much more than a splash of paint on a wall or cabinet; it speaks a language all its own, something Pantone seems to grasp and express well. So what influence will 2023’s Viva Magenta have on us? Let’s explore the answers today.
The meaning of Viva Magenta for 2023
A color meant to emphasize how our physical and digital worlds are increasingly merging, Viva Magenta combines the best of pink and red to bring a pop of color into the world. Homeowners have been adapting their lifestyle for the last couple of years as we work from home, further our education online, turn basements into gyms, and even expand our square footage through outdoor spaces. These adjustments have not all been easy and have required some rearranging in our homes, but now many are enjoying the benefits it brings, such as less commute time and more family time. Viva Magenta is a bright, bold, and even brave color that perfectly reflects who we are today and gives us the energy to continue pursuing a better world.
Ways to use Viva Magenta in the home
Color is one of the funnest elements to use in the design world, plus it is one of the best ways to tell your story because it has a voice all its own. Viva Magenta is a beautiful, vibrant color that can add so much to your home, and there are countless ways to do it:
- Accent wall
- Pillows
- Window treatments
- Furniture
- Area rugs
- Artwork
- Home decor
Sometimes, including a bold color in a room can give you a sense of energy, joy, and even delight as you see it pop throughout the space. It can also be done as strong or as soft as you like. Accent walls are a great way to make a statement while still maintaining a sense of balance in the room, especially with neutral furniture such as off-white or even gray, both lovely complements to Viva Magenta. Window treatments are another option to bring a splash of color to a room without overpowering the entire space. They also work well with a softer wall color. Pillows and other linens, such as bedspreads, are an easy way to incorporate this exciting color into your home, and they can be easily exchanged if you want to change it up again later. Opting to have a piece of furniture transformed with Viva Magenta is not a bad thing; it can be a focal point in the room that draws the eye and becomes the centerpiece for everything else. Area rugs are a wonderful option, plus they are functional. Artwork is an expression of what you love, and this color certainly has a lot to say, making it a great option for new art pieces in your home. The design possibilities are endless with Viva Magenta; places like Pinterest will be a great way to find even more inspiration on ways to use it.
The benefit of using Viva Magenta in the home
As bold colors continue to trend, Viva Magenta will complement many of the color schemes emerging on designer mood boards and in interior magazines. It is a color that represents joy, encourages discovery, and empowers us to move forward. Such a color can bring numerous benefits to various areas of the home. Contrast is one of them as it always is a striking combination that results in a visual interest which is a winner for everyone. This color would look great in a bedroom or even a home office that needs a little boost of energy. Consider incorporating it into your space with area rugs, artwork, pillows, or a new office chair or desk. We know that working from home can have its downsides, such as staying in the same space for hours, but this bright color can instantly freshen and excite it. The laundry room could also benefit from a touch of Viva Magenta, consider including some wallpaper as an accent feature, or maybe some backsplash with a mosaic pattern of Viva Magenta and soft whites. This will create an elegant contrast and brighten up a place in the home that can make the mundane chores a little happier. Even though this is a bold shade, don’t be intimidated by it; there are many ways it can breathe new life into your home and make you enjoy it even more. Discuss with your designer the possibility of incorporating Viva Magenta into your next interior design project.
If you design with your budget in mind from the beginning, there should be no need to scale back during your project. It is a well-known fact throughout the building industry that the main selling points within a home are the kitchen and the bathrooms. These rooms can be the most costly areas in a house to renovate. Costs add up quickly, and each dime spent should be carefully thought out to get a good future return on your investment. Before you start budgeting for your kitchen and bath project, here are some key tips to keep in mind:
Cerused Oak has since been used throughout the decades to bring elegance and beauty to a variety of wood furniture and blended with a myriad of design styles.


Greenbrook Design
Walker Woodworking 
Greenbrook Design
Greenbrook Design