2020 Pantone Color of the Year – Classic Blue

Drum roll please – Pantone has chosen Classic Blue as their color of the year. Over the past couple years, bold colors on walls have become common place in designer magazines and new model homes. Bucking the old guidance of using bland, light hues to make rooms look larger. Deep greens, rich reds and even soft blacks are used in even the smallest spaces. This year, Pantone has chosen a fresh Classic Blue to inspire homeowners and designers in 2020.

Classic Blue is just what it sounds like – a classic. Think of your favorite sneaker or school binder and you’ll be right on track. Described as a calming, familiar azure, Classic Blue is an uncomplicated, straightforward tone intended to provide a “neutral” backdrop for modern color palates and urban chic styling.

Modern interior design has been trending towards more unassuming color schemes for furniture, flooring and accents. Kitchens sport sleek white cabinets and subway tile counters and backsplashes. Tone on tone design with urban elements of steel and soft wood tones lend themselves to this fresh blue hue. Pantone suggests that the simple color palate of blue and white is a comforting return to more traditional styling and expects that Classic Blue is the perfect wall color to compliment the Mid-Century and 60s décor that have emerged with a modern twist.

A great weekend project for a room or rooms, Classic Blue would add a fresh look to any space.

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Quartz – the Countertop Buyers Love

Quartz countertops have been around for decades, yet they are one of the hottest design materials this spring. Available in a variety of colors, this natural stone is not only durable but beautiful, and more and more homebuyers are putting quartz countertops on their must-have list. Quartz is a natural material best known for the beautiful crystals it forms.

Quartz countertops are not pure quartz, however, and contain no crystals. Instead, the countertop is engineered using quartz, resins, and pigment. As a result, there is a quartz color palette for any design aesthetic. Home shows featuring the newest home trends for 2020 showcased quartz countertops of white, gray, slate and blue.

Quartz is one of the best choices for durability as well. Unlike granite or tile, which can crack and chip, the resin included in quartz countertops is almost indestructible. While other surfaces can scar and burn if subjected to hot cookware, quartz will stand up to the heat of cooking, making it a top choice for homebuyers of all culinary skill levels.

Quartz is also low maintenance compared to its more porous counterparts. Whereas natural stone and granite can absorb liquids, causing stains, quartz does not have this issue. No longer do homeowners need to fear dripping red wine or spaghetti sauce on the kitchen island. Along with this, quartz is antimicrobial— meaning that bacteria can be easily wiped away—making your kitchen countertop truly one of the healthiest surfaces in your home.

Quartz countertops are just one of the many improvements that homebuyers crave. Quartz is beautiful, durable, healthy, and sustainable; it’s no wonder homebuyers have made these countertops important items in their home search.

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How to Get Over Losing Out On Your Dream Home

“I’m so sorry, they went with another offer.” It’s a shocking thing to hear; you’ve already moved into that dream home in your mind. It’s common to start second guessing yourself, even condemning yourself for not offering more money or better terms, but the truth is sometimes it just doesn’t work out. The next step is to figure out how to move on.

• Go Ahead and Mourn – It’s perfectly reasonable to mourn the loss of the “perfect” home.

• Take a Break – This might not be as easy as it sounds if you need to move, but even a short weekend off to regroup and refresh will allow you to continue the search.

• Understand What Went Wrong – It may be that you did nothing wrong and the seller got an all-cash offer 20% over asking, but it’s still a good idea to talk with your agent about your offer, make sure you truly offered a fair price with reasonable terms and if not, make adjustments next time.

• List What You Liked About the Home – Make a list of the features you liked about the home – open floor plan, big yard, expansive view, etc. This will allow you to watch for these features as you continue the search. Losing out on your dream home is sad, but it doesn’t mean you won’t find another home you love just as much. Take some time to think through the experience and keep going – there are so many homes to choose from, you’ll find another home to love.

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