A technicolor house in New York’s oldest neighborhood becomes the pretext to tell of vibrant anti-Pantone choices and to openly criticize dull white. Because today we need a space that reflects us, that boldly colors our need for courage, energy, and emotion.
I don’t know about you, but I’m not convinced by a reassuring white as a response to a complex world. In fact, I’m certain that today’s design is in dire need of color and boldness. My J’accuse against Pantone’s 2026 choice of Cloud Dancer is an invitation to rediscover the powerful emotional value of colors.
In short, who really wants to surround themselves, again, with a white that veers toward gray while promising calm, suspension, and neutrality? And besides, Cloud Dancer is anything but neutral: it’s a cultural choice that speaks of extreme minimalism, control, and visual silence. Are we sure that’s what we need?
Let’s take stock: we live in an era marked by uncertainty, constant acceleration, and a wealth of anxiety. Responding to all this with yet another shade of white feels like a renunciation, not a cure. Since the dawn of time, design has never limited itself to reassuring: it has awakened, provoked, ignited imaginations, opened up possibilities, created disruptions without ever asking permission. And it has often done so precisely through color.
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Pantone Toto – What will be the color of 2026?
Let’s think about the contemporary home, each of our dwellings: they are no longer just a refuge, but an office, a gym, a social space, a place of identity. They demand complexity, not sterility. They demand patterned wallpaper, painted walls and even ceilings, patterns that tell stories, colorful design pieces that become focal points, chromatic accents capable of changing the mood of a room (and its inhabitants).
This doesn’t mean rejecting white, but putting it back in its place: Cloud Dancer works when it softens, when it creates space between stronger elements, when it becomes a musical pause, not the only note. If I could, I would invite Pantone to reopen the discussion. But since I can’t, I’m counting on you: let’s not forget that design also has an emotional responsibility, that color can be comfort, energy, identity, that surrounding ourselves with vibrant hues is not excess, but necessity. And that perhaps, instead of continuing to ask ourselves what the shade of the year is, we should focus on the emotions we need to reawaken. And have the courage to color them.
From the living area onwards, the entire “Vibrant Heights” house in Brooklyn is characterised by bright and vibrant colours.
The young family who bought an old house in Brooklyn Heights, one of New York’s oldest neighborhoods, colored all their emotions, without exception, and had the interiors redesigned with a precise input: the bold use of color. It is no coincidence that they called it “Vibrant Heights” and I use it as an example, because here color is not looked at, it is lived.
For those who know it’s time to put white aside, there are several options:
focus on walls and floors with vibrant paint, patterned wallpaper, decorative tiles, technicolor rugs, paintings and mirrors;
color only the furnishings, leaving the walls neutral and having fun with brightly colored sofas, armchairs, wardrobes, chairs, coffee tables, chandeliers and so on;
play with one or two strong shades per room, depending on whether you want to create a calm atmosphere (in the sleeping area) or a lively one (in the living room);
Mixing multiple colors in each room, using complements and contrasts, is an option reserved only for true alchemists.
Taking inspiration from the Brooklyn Heights townhouse, I’ll give you a few tips: let yourself be inspired!
The purple walls give a suggestive touch to the room, together with yellow armchairs, a blue sofa and light blue furnishings.
IDEAS FOR THE LIVING
Kitchen, dining room, and living room in a single space: you need to be skilled at selecting colors that work together without creating distracting contrasts. Generally, however, you just need to rely on good intuition: if a color makes you feel good, then it’s the right one. Here, purple walls dominate, along with multicolored chairs and rugs.
The kitchen and dining table remain white, to give them a sense of space. To create a harmonious flow, I opted for colorful seating: the Kolibri armchair by Werns in hand-embroidered velvet and the Togo model by Ligne Roset in curry Alcantara, ergonomic and comfortable (it is available in 59 materials and 7 sizes). The Giotto three-seat modular sofa from Divani Store dominates the scene. It’s upholstered in waterproof velvet-effect microfiber in a relaxing shade of blue, and is ultra-comfortable thanks to its reclining mechanism and electric recliner option.
Ergonomic armchair in Alcantara, Togo by Ligne Roset, designed by Michel Ducaroy, 102x87x70h cm, approximately 2,640 – ligne-roset.com. Embroidered velvet armchair, Kolibri by Werns, 77x76x83h cm, €1,199 – hi-werns.com.
Giotto modular and reclining three-seater sofa by Divani Store, 296x119x78h cm, starting at €3,930 – divani.store.
If painting your walls purple seems daunting, you could opt for a bookcase: Confetti by Pellington Design is an expressive and versatile wall-mounted shelving system made in Sweden. It’s composed of three parts: a backplate, ABS plastic bricks, and acrylic plastic shelves, which can be arranged in unique, personalized combinations. Multiple panels can be placed side by side to create a larger wall art piece, choosing between the multi-color Originals version and the Monochrome version, which also offers a vibrant purple hue.
This play of colorful bricks is echoed in the Patchwork rug by Carpet Avenue, which has a romantic feel because it breathes new life into old hand-knotted Turkish and Persian rugs. Now irreparable, they are cut into smaller pieces, arranged in a harmonious and creative combination where each patch tells its own unique story. The patches are then sewn together by hand and a fabric backing is added to ensure support for the finished rug.
Confetti Shelf System C15 modular shelf by Pellington Design, designed by Per Bäckström, 43x77h cm, €340 – pellingtondesign.com.
Hand-knotted wool rug made from vintage Turkish carpets, Patchwork by Carpet Avenue, 200×300 cm, €979- carpetavenue.it.
The same interplay of colorful squares also appears in the Qbert low sideboard by La Quercia 21, a company specializing in handmade solid wood and reclaimed wood furniture. It features natural oak with practical drawers and doors, and a top with a colored microcement insert.
The Detroit coffee table by Reflections Copenhagen is an excellent choice in my opinion, for at least two reasons: it’s dramatic with its three colorful and playful legs, and, being made of finely hand-cut crystal, no other table captures and diffuses light like a prism.
The Romeo (more elongated) and Giulietta (more rounded) pendant lamps by Zafferano Italia serve the same purpose. They have a hand-blown glass diffuser with a “balloton” relief finish, available in various colors.
Qbert handcrafted sideboard by La rovere 21, 170×40×65h cm, €2,200- laquercia21.it.
Detroit glass table by Reflections Copenhagen, ø 75×45.5h cm- reflections-copenhagen.com.
Mouth-blown glass pendant lamps, Romeo (ø25×40) and Giulietta (ø32×27 cm) by Zafferano Italia, designed by Federico de Majo, approximately €300 each – zafferanoitalia.com.
La camera padronale è come un cielo terso, azzurra, fresca, ordinata, rilassante.
IDEAS FOR THE SLEEPING AREA
The master bedroom is fresh and light. Light blue walls, blue-toned textiles, and matching wall lights. It features cool, light tones that, while making the rooms appear larger, brighter, and tidier, also help reduce stress and restore calm.
That’s why I chose the same shade for both the accessories (like the Houdini Rainbow trunk by Vesta in clear, molded acrylic crystal) and the light fixtures, which deserve special mention. The historic vase designed in 1930 by Napoleone Martinuzzi has been updated and transformed into a table lamp in opaline blown Murano glass in various colors (here in the aquamarine version). This lamp, called Deco Luce by Venini, has a concentric design reminiscent of times gone by but is battery-powered with dimmable LED technology.
Touches of blue also appear on the reversible Gudri bedspread by Lisa Corti, handcrafted in silk using the ancient Indian Khanta quilting technique, and on the Sid rug by Benuta in wool and Lyocell with a geometric design that embraces everything in the room.
Acrylic crystal trunk with graphics printed inside and out, Houdini Rainbow by Vesta, 80x40x40h cm, €2,400 – vestasrl.it.
Deco Luce blown glass lamp by Venini, ø26×19 cm, starting at €640- venini.com.
Handmade reversible silk bedspread, Gudri by Lisa Corti, 220×250 cm, €655 – lisacorti.com.
Hand-tufted wool and lyocell rug, Sid by Benuta, 160×230 cm €1,199 and 200×300 cm €1,999- benuta.it.
Colori soft ed elementi giocosi: la stanza dei più piccoli deve ispirare storie fantastiche ed tanto buonumore.
IDEAS FOR CHILDREN’S BEDROOM
In the nursery, wallpaper covers only one wall, the one next to the crib. It’s best to choose playful but soft colors and paint the other walls in delicate shades, such as light green, straw yellow, or salmon pink. I find the Circus Corner wallpaper by Rebel Walls perfect, featuring cute and funny little animals juggling in a fantastical circus: it will certainly inspire magical stories.
The white crib is also too sterile: in this case, non-toxic colors like those used by Ettomio are always preferable. The bed he suggests, Ettino Casetta, has three protective fences and a drawer that can be used as a second pull-out bed. It’s made in Italy by small artisans, using high-quality, eco-friendly materials. Plus, it’s modular: elements can be added or removed based on the child’s growth stage.
Also selected for their cheerful appearance and playful spirit were the Egmont Toys mushroom-shaped lamp, made of hand-painted PVC for the safety of little ones, capable of creating a fairytale atmosphere day and night, and the Rice by Rice raffia Casetta. It’s not only a great addition to play, but also the perfect container for toys, books, and blankets. Each house is handmade in Madagascar and features a super-cat on the walls, ready to witness countless adventures.
Circus Corner wallpaper by Rebel Walls, designed by Karolina Kroon, 10m x 0.5m rolls, €107.73 per roll – rebelwalls.com.
Handcrafted house bed, Ettino Casetta by Ettomio, Junior (90×160 cm) with pull-out bed €2,870, Single (90×200 cm) with pull-out bed €3,100 – ettomio.com.
Mushroom-shaped LED lamp, Mushroom medium by Egmont Toys, ø26×20 cm, €89.45 – egmonttoys.com.
Rice by Rice Raffia House Trunk, 42x27x35h cm, €101.95- ricebyrice.com.
Ogni casa ha un angolo speciale, capace di emozionare soprattutto attraverso i colori.
IDEAS FOR SPECIAL CORNERS
There are special corners in the Brooklyn house. Every home has at least one. It’s a place where you retreat or welcome others, a space of the house, usually small, where good things always happen. Where you feel good. In the house I’m featuring, there are two special corners: one is in the bedroom, facing the entrance and protected by the wall and a majestic curtain.
It’s the dressing table, where perfume bottles, small makeup cases, creams, and brushes are lined up. It’s the place of routine, of time for yourself: you look in the mirror and smile sincerely. I love that Devon&Devon named its elegant vanity Zelda, paying homage to the unconventional femininity and irresistible charisma of the wife and muse of the author of “The Great Gatsby.” Glossy pink in color, it features sinuous lines and rounded shapes, culminating in the wide circumference of the diamond-cut mirror.
It has lacquered wood doors and drawers, brass legs, and a marble top. Between the two drawers is a pull-out tray covered in velvet, like the matching ottoman. By the way, the regal curtain in lustrous turquoise cotton and viscose velvet by Anthropologie also has a feminine name: Adelina. And it’s beautiful.
On the left, Zelda dressing table by Devon&Devon with pouf and mirror (mirror ø105.8×99.5h cm; vanity table 155x45x83.1h cm; pouf ø46×45 cm), €14,313.22 – devon-devon.com; on the right, velvet curtain, Adelina by Anthropologie, 127×213/274h cm, starting from €90 for each single curtain- anthropologie.com.
The other special corner is the entrance, the welcoming area. In the Brooklyn home, there’s a beautiful console table topped by a large mirror and illuminated by vases and jars, perhaps for flowers. The Isotta console table by Arti e Mestieri struck me because I found it different from all the others, and it’s clear that it embodies a passion for craftsmanship.
It is inspired by antique-style furniture, but has been redesigned with a minimalist touch, retaining only the most distinctive features of period furniture, making it suitable for both classic and contemporary decor. It is made of 100% recyclable iron covered in gold leaf, eye-catching in color, simple in design. Above it, an oval mirror, also created by skilled artisans, lingers, because a special corner deserves to be furnished with equally unique elements.
This oval mirror by Flicker Glass features an inlay of stained tulipwood veneer, colored either red or yellow. It can be hung horizontally or vertically. Above the console table, the Formy blown glass vase by Polspotten finds its perfect place, a real eye-catcher. I like it because, more than a vase, it’s a sculptural piece that easily amazes (and is just as easy to clean!). It doesn’t matter where you place it; the important thing is to play with it, mix and match, and personalize it. Anche, semplicemente, con un fiore.
Console table in iron covered in gold leaf, Isotta di Arti e Mestieri, 110x35x80h cm, €695 – artiemestieri.it. Flicker Glass Toulipier Oval Mirror, 60×96 cm, starting at €619 – flickerglass.com.
Formy recycled glass vase by Polspotten, designed by Daphna Laurens, ø20x29h cm, €120 – polspotten.com.
Why not add color and make the bathroom surprising too?
IDEAS FOR THE BATHROOM
The bathroom is the only room the New York family has kept white and gray, using two different types of tiles for the floor and walls. But daring to use color in this area of the home can yield surprising results. For example, with the Moroccan-inspired Fayrouz patchwork tiles by Deine Fliesen. They can be used for the floor, walls, and even the shower tray, since they are made of high-quality porcelain with a non-slip surface, making them perfect for both indoor and outdoor use.
Personally, I find the idea of using them on the floor and covering the walls with solid-colored tiles sophisticated. The bathtub, which at this point is best left white, can be illuminated from above by an elegant ceiling light that you wouldn’t expect in a bathroom. Seventy by Cristalleria Murano is composed of over 30 precious, slanted glass quadrihedrons, creating extraordinary reflections.
Why did it appeal to me? The vintage ’70s design blends seamlessly into any space, and you can customize the color of both the frame and the glass, which in this version are smoked and multicolored. In short, in this context, even the simple and anonymous Cloud Dancer tub becomes a star.
Left, Fayrouz patchwork tiles by Deine Fliesen, 20×20 cm, approximately €75 per m² – deinefliesen.com; on the right, Seventy ceiling light with quadrihedrons by Cristalleria Murano, ø45x50h cm, €800 – cristalleriamurano.com.
Project by Weiss Turkus Projects – Interior Designers
Photo © Dana Meilijson
On the cover, the spacious, technicolor living area of the Vibrant Heights apartment in Brooklyn reminds us that it’s no longer the time of Cloud Dancer: we need color!
