When Pantone announced Honeysuckle as the color of the year for 2011, I was underwhelmed. It seemed like a bridesmaid dress color and nothing else. It’s a flattering pink shade that made its way across the bridal scene quickly. Revisiting it now, I realized I like it as a “light red” concept. Combine it with the right greens, blues, and tans — it takes on a vintage, art deco look.
A COLOR FOR ALL SEASONS: COURAGEOUS. CONFIDENT. VITAL. A BRAVE NEW COLOR, FOR A BRAVE NEW WORLD. LET THE BOLD SPIRIT OF HONEYSUCKLE INFUSE YOU, LIFT YOU AND CARRY YOU THROUGH THE YEAR. IT’S A COLOR FOR EVERY DAY – WITH NOTHING “EVERYDAY” ABOUT IT. – Pantone
It’s pretty without looking as precious as millennial pink. And that has staying power.
Honeysuckle Pantone Color of the Year 2011
In color theory, pink is often aligned with femininity. It’s a youthful color, especially in vibrant shades. While there are outliers, like the Taco Bell logo, the color isn’t common for big brands. Niches for women use pink most often — as seen in the toy aisle.
“In times of stress, we need something to lift our spirits. Honeysuckle is a captivating, stimulating color that gets the adrenaline going – perfect to ward off the blues,” explains Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “Honeysuckle derives its positive qualities from a powerful bond to its mother color red, the most physical, viscerally alive hue in the spectrum.” – Pantone
Honeysuckle skews feminine and you rarely see it outside pretty applications (think beauty, fashion, and women’s home design). It’s also a color inspired by nature, which refocuses its use from purely decorative to practical. It has the most visual edge when paired with a second pink shade.
Color Inspo for Pink on Pink
Color Combinations with Honeysuckle Pink
When I created these color combinations, Art Deco style inspired me. It often features pink alongside blue, green, and cream. So, I imagined these as more saturated versions of those colors.
Additional Reading
- https://www.pantone.com/articles/color-of-the-year/color-of-the-year-2011
- https://www.houzz.com/magazine/honeysuckle-inspired-by-pantone-s-color-of-the-year-stsetivw-vs~159820
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About Danielle Verderame
I am a writer first. I specialize in content-heavy websites, bringing together my 15 years of marketing background with my imaginative aesthetic. Most of the time, I optimize small business websites for search and social media. Through Verderame, LLC. I offer my services to small businesses who need assistance with their websites, content, and search engine optimization.
In 2023, I launched a boutique Virginia Advertising Agency under Verderame, LLC. And it’s all focused on retail. Our small team specializes in marketing services for makers, eStores, and retailers. We’re ready to maintain, manage, and promote your store on any platform including WordPress, Squarespace, Shopify, Square Online (Weebly), Comment Sold, Pinterest Shops, and Meta (Facebook/Instagram) Shops. If you’re looking for marketing help, email me at danielle@theshopshop.co.
