It only seems appropriate for the first color palette of the year to center on Marsala, the Pantone Color of the Year 2015. There’s already been a lot of buzz and debate about this color, and I’m sitting firmly on the side of the fence that’s completely confused over this one. For those of you not familiar, Pantone is widely recognized as the foremost color expert in the design industry and each year they make predictions about what they think will be the “it” color of the year. This year they picked Marsala, which they call an elegant statement color, a choice that has left a lot of people scratching their heads. I really thought they would go with a blue this year, something rich and saturated reminiscent of shibori. To me, Marsala is just too washed out and kind of blah to be anything special, but being the color-loving girl that I am, I decided to try and make it work for me with this palette. I really think this hue is best paired with pink, blush, rose, a bit of soft gray, and maybe a smidge of pale green. The other way I would go is maybe with a really rich scarlet and sapphire or blackberry. What do you think? Is anyone just loving this color?
[Photos, from top: Styling by Magnolia Rouge + Photo by Jen Huang via Grey Likes Weddings | Anthropologie | Styling by Ashley Nicole + Photo by Lani Elias via Magnolia Rouge.]

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I can now imagine myself wearing a hat marsala color. :)
I love those boots! I think they would look incredible as a pop of color under a bride’s dress or with a pair of skinny jeans.
I’m so surprised! This is the first time since Tangerine Tango (2012) that I feel like I’ve been excited about the color of the year; the last two left me disappointed. Anyway, I love this palette and your pairings, I hope it grows on you :)
Love that you knew this one was coming, Janet! ;-) I agree that I think it has more legs in bridal styling and I think it will come across as very romantic and timeless. In home decor? Or fashion? It’s still kind of giving me hives. lol
Thanks, Elle! This one was a bit of a struggle for me, but I have decided I do love how it looks with these colors. It feels romantic and pretty and soft, so I guess it’s all in the way you make it work! ;-)
Cyd-
I was looking out for this post to come up and I must say, I love what you paired it with. The celedon really compliments it nicely. I think in bridal I’m beginning to embrace it- still very on the fence with fashion though. However, I think this post made me appreciate it more than any other color combinations I’ve seen.
I have to say, I was sitting on the fence with this color as well. Now that you mention it, a nice shibori-inspired blue would have been awesome. But of course I love this color now that it has been beautifully paired with the appropriate colors. This just goes to show that every color has its match, I guess.
I’m loving this Marsala color! I don’t have any piece of clothing this color yet, but I’m hoping to get a Marsala colored scarf and Marsala colored spring clothes.
I’m glad you’re loving it, Ashley! I do hope it grows on me. I think I just wanted to see something more saturated, like a true rich oxblood or something. ;-) I think a scarf sounds particularly gorgeous! If you find one you love, maybe you’ll share a link with me? :-)