How to Decorate

Bonus Episode: Our Thoughts on Pantone's 2026 Color of the Year


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The team is back for an emergency design session! Caroline, Taryn, and Liz hop on the mics to discuss the breaking news of the 2026 Pantone Color of the Year: Cloud Dancer.

While the hosts usually love dissecting color trends (and loved last year's Mocha Mousse), this year's selection of a "soft, airy white" has left them confused, bored, and a little suspicious. In this short bonus episode, the ladies debate whether this choice is a symbol of clarity or just a "builder-grade" cop-out. They compare it to the rich, earthy predictions from other paint brands, discuss the concept of "rage bait" marketing, and ask the ultimate question: Does a white color of the year actually influence interior design, or is it just the default setting?

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:

  • 00:00 Welcome & Introductions

  • 01:30 The Reveal: Pantone 2026 is "Cloud Dancer" (11-4201)

  • 03:00 Taryn’s reaction: "It’s like not decorating"

  • 04:30 Liz’s reaction: Why it fails to capture the moment

  • 07:00 Caroline’s theory: Is this just marketing rage bait?

  • 10:00 Why white feels "artificial" vs. "organic"

  • 14:00 Comparing Cloud Dancer to Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams' earthy picks

  • 17:00 Does the Pantone Color of the Year actually change how we design?

    Also Mentioned:

    • Pantone Color of the Year 2026: Cloud Dancer

    • Shop Ballard Designs

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      Happy Decorating!

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