By Design

The Colors of the Future — Here Now!

By Robin Phillips

What would a new year be without a splash of color — especially after the 2020 we’ve all experienced?! The iconic Pantone Institute announced its Colors of the Year just before we went to print, and we could not be happier with the choices: “Ultimate Gray” and “Illuminating” (yellow). This is only the second time in its history that Pantone has identified not one, but two colors to offer inspiration and guidance to the home and interior design industry for the coming year. Pantone believes that these “two extremely independent colors highlight how different elements come together to express a message of strength and hopefulness.” We love that idea – and we also love SOCO in Costa Mesa – so we asked some of the design experts there to share their top furniture and accessories picks that use the new Pantone shades.

Design Within Reach / HAY

“We love the 2021 Colors of the Year. Yellows and grays have been staples in modern design for generations. Here are a few products we love that showcase these colorways beautifully.”

The Jonas Sofa at Design Within Reach

Named for Swedish designer Jonas Wagell, this sofa is meant to be used every day yet still dazzle with its sculptural beauty. $3,695

Platner Armchair by Warren Platner for Knoll at Design Within Reach

Platner, who worked with design giants I.M. Pei and Eero Saarinen before developing his own collection, designed this chair to prove that a “decorative, graceful design” can fit into modernism. $5,358

DLM Table at HAY

The “Don’t Leave Me” side table has a handle that allows it to be carried from room to room. $175

Farrow & Ball

“We are thrilled about the Pantone Color of the Year for 2021. We have a color in our Archive desk that is very similar in hue. Yellowcake No. 279 is a classic bright yellow name to reflect the revival of the ‘homemade.’ [It was] much-used in kitchens during the 1960s, and is equally popular in 21st century homes. It pairs easily with both cooler and warmer shades of gray, like our Manor House Gray No. 265 or Purbeck Stone No. 275.” Contact showroom for pricing.

Roche Bobois

Bubble Sofa

The iconic French design house’s Bubble Sofa is the perfect blend of design, innovation, function, and emotion in Grigio Grey. Price available upon request.

Rejuvenation

Carson Wall Sconce

This wall sconce is inspired by vintage warehouse lights from the late 19th century, featuring a timeless gooseneck design. It adds industrial appeal to any space and comes in both Matte Honey Yellow and Gloss Grey. $229

Modani

Eos Pillow

Wrapped in bright yellow fabric, the Eos Pillow adds a dash of bold color while an intricately woven lattice layer reveals dimension and texture. $59

Room & Board

Helio End Table in “Silver”

Resilient and useful with a soft square base, this side table adds a fun pop of color to any room. Nest multiple Helio tables sideby-side and mix up the height and color. $179-$199

Horizon Plaid Throw in “Mustard”

This simple Scandinavian plaid design in soft, strong South American alpaca wool insulates without bulk, allowing the throw blanket to be lightweight yet warm. $149

BY DESIGN

AN INSIDER’S GUIDE: FOUR TOP INTERIOR DESIGNERS’ FAVES FROM SOCO

By Robin Phillips

With so many of us spending extra time in our homes, loving our spaces has become more important than ever. What surrounds us should always bring us happiness, and maybe even inspire us. Furniture and accessories designers have that same hope in mind – that their pieces might add beauty, organization, comfort, and function to your life. But with so many choices, who couldn’t use some suggestions from the experts? We asked some of our favorite local designers what showrooms and pieces they like best at SoCal’s top home + design destination, South Coast Collection (SOCO) in Costa Mesa. socoandtheocmix.com.

Tania Cassill // huit

“Design Within Reach (DWR) is my go-to. I try to incorporate at least one of their iconic pieces into all of my projects,” says Tania.

Her top DWR picks? “I especially love the Royal System Shelving for practicality and the oval Saarinen table in Carrara marble just because it’s stunning,” she says. The Shelving, designed by famous Danish artist Poul Cadovius in 1948, is considered a cornerstone of Danish design.

Created by Finnish designer Eero Saarinen, the pedestal table is an icon of modernism.

Robin Strickler // Design Works Home

“My favorite place at SOCO is PIRCH. We love their showroom and take all of our clients there. Not only is it impressive visually and has so much to offer, but they even have a chef on staff and a barista – it’s the best customer service and experience!”

Robin’s fave fixture: Samuel Heath plumbing fixtures. “They are from London and are so beautiful,” says Strickler.

Samuel Heath has been manufacturing their fixtures in Birmingham, England for almost two hundred years. Ashley Clark // sKout “We love PIRCH and could not do our job without them,” says Ashley. “They are so helpful and their showroom is just so fun to visit and take clients through to review options and make selections for their homes!” She also loves

Some of Ashley’s Rejuvenation finds:

Laura Brophy // Brophy Interiors

“It’s tough to select a single ‘favorite showroom,’ as several of my faves are at SOCO; but if I had to choose, I would have to say Famosa,” says Laura. “They carry a great selection of materials from a variety of manufacturers and the showroom is well organized and gorgeous.”

Laura’s top pick: Terrazzo. “My favorite thing at Famosa has to be their awesome selection of terrazzo – it’s such a beautiful material and it works well for flooring, backsplashes, countertops, and more.”

Terrazzo is made when chips—marble, glass, quartz, and more are set in cement. It achieved popularity in the US during the 1920s Art Deco movement and is now making a big comeback.

And, her food fave: The Cheese Shop at The Mix at SOCO for their amazing selection of cheeses and incredible charcuterie boards. “The Cheese Shop is my go-to spot for picking up delicious In solid cast brass, the Massey pull is a

snacks for client meetings and family gatherings,” reproduction of a classic vintage style

Design Within Reach. Ashley also recommends: Rejuvenation.

Bowen Runner:

Jute is one of the world’s most popular natural fibers after cotton, and 85 percent of it is cultivated in the Ganges Delta.

Berkshire Linear Pendant:

With a colonial feel but elongated modern lines, this fixture—designed Oregon— is a statement piece above a bar or island. i n

Brendon Farrell Fin Hook Rack-10 Rack in Oak:

Designed by Portland, Oregon designer and architect Brendon Farrell, this minimalist design in white oak or walnut is functional yet beautiful.

Large Massey Drawer Pull in Aged

Brass

she says. and comes in seven finishes.