Last week, Pantone announced its color of the year for 2019—living coral. This vibrant hue “embraces us with warmth and nourishment to provide comfort and buoyancy in our continually shifting environment,” the institute said, adding that, because of our tech-centric, social media-obsessed society, “we are seeking authentic and immersive experiences that enable connection and intimacy,” which is an overarching goal of the event industry itself.
And as the name indicates, this color is prominent in nature (like under the sea) and evokes an effervescence and energy of the living world. To help incorporate the hot color into events in the new year, here’s a look at some rental items, decor ideas, and even colorful cocktails that come in the pretty pinky-orange shade.
The centerpiece of this room is the Julia sofa from FormDecor ($525 for a week). This coral sofa comes upholstered in luxe velvet with a curved back design and gold stainless steel trim around the base. The item is available for rent in Southern California.
Photo: Courtesy of FormDecor
At this year’s Art Basel in Miami Beach, Tribute Portfolio, Marriott International’s newest collection of independent hotels, announced its partnership with Pantone and debuted the first in a series of experiential pop-ups that celebrate color and travel. The Pantone Pantry by Tribute Portfolio at the Royal Palm South Beach Miami Resort coincided with the reveal of the Pantone Color of the Year and featured travel-inspired installations in the orange-y hue. The pop-up reimagined a traditional hotel experience with a concierge desk, a cabinet of curiosities, and a hidden hotel guest room.
Photo: Elizabeth Lippman
FormDecor’s comfy Constance lounge chair ($398 for a week) boasts a softer shade of the coral color, along with thick upholstery and a gold base made from stainless steel that also swivels. The item is available in Southern California.
Photo: Courtesy of FormDecor
The bold Trofeo highboy table from Blueprint Studios comes in a striking red-orange hue and is available in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas; pricing is available upon request.
Photo: Courtesy of Blueprint Studios
Cort Event Furnishings’ Maui rug features a floral pattern with pops of coral-colored blooms. The item is available throughout the U.S.; pricing is available upon request.
Photo: Evan Carbotti
Totally Mod, a Quest Events Company, offers soft seating in its Cove configuration with under lighting, along with its straight ottoman. Options are available in a variety of colors including the on-trend vibrant coral, plus custom branding. The geo square, available as battery operated or as a plug-in, also comes in a range of colors. Pricing is available upon request, and the items are offered throughout the U.S.
Photo: Courtesy of Quest Events
Dress up dining tables with the coral cotton linen from Party Rental Ltd. Pricing is available upon request; linen is available in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.
Photo: Courtesy of Party Rental Ltd.
The Alchermes Sour at Bittercube Bar & Bazaar in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, contains lime juice, simple syrup, and Heirloom Alchermes liqueur, and it comes in this brilliant orange coral shade.
Photo: Courtesy of Bittercube Bar & Bazaar
The Italian margarita at Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse is made with silver tequila, limoncello, blood orange juice, simple syrup, and Campari. The restaurant has 10 locations along the East Coast and one in Irvine, California.
Photo: Briana Moore Photography
This silk scarf pillow from FormDecor ($42 for a week) features a modern grid with blocks of pink, orange, and white with a solid teal back and is an easy way to incorporate coral into almost any design. It’s available for rent in Southern California.
Photo: Courtesy of FormDecor
Style Tyles Quiet Rooms from Totally Mod are built with transparent, sound-dampening tiles that keep sound out while allowing light in. They are available in a variety of colors and sizes with custom branding. Pricing is available upon request, and the rooms are available throughout the U.S.
Photo: Courtesy of Quest Events
This beige linen pillow from Cort adds a subtle touch of orange with thatched stitching. The item is available throughout the U.S.; pricing is available upon request.
Photo: Courtesy of CORT Event Furnishings
At Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS’ annual Dining by Design benefit at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago in November 2011, students from the International Academy of Design and Technology created a table setting with an ocean theme. Pieces of bright fire-orange coral served as embellishments.
Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash
Engage!16 The Breakers, held in June 2016 at the Breakers Palm Beach, boasted an ombre palette that featured sunset-inspired colors from blush to pink grapefruit to coral with touches of metallic gold. The custom-designed speaker stage backdrop by Event Effects Group used the event's beachy color palette and icons including coral silhouettes that were designed by Gifts for the Good Life.
Photo: Cameron Kelly
At the 2016 event, Gifts for the Good Life created a pop-up "boutiquerie" where guests could customize their welcome gifts. Miami-based event design company the Gilded Group collaborated on the area's design and provided the rentals, florals, and branded carts for the space that showcased the sunset coral color.
Photo: Jeremie Barlow
For the beach club luncheon, delicate laser-cut menu cards shaped like sea fan coral sat at each place setting.
Photo: Jennifer Domenick
The tropical designs carried over into patterns, which were used on pillow fabrics customized for the event.
Photo: Jennifer Domenick
