Over the last 14 years, Sherwin-Williams has annually designated a Color of the Year. Today, the brand reversed the trend and launched its Loneliest Color, which spotlights the most-overlooked, least-tinted, and least popular color in its collection.
Kingdom Gold SW 6698, a vibrant and luminous gold hue, is the brand's least-tinted hue, or the shade with the fewest gallons of color created since the inaugural Color of the Year was unveiled in 2011. Less than 11,000 gallons of Kingdom Gold have been tinted in the last 14 years.
“After years of forecasting color trends of what will be popular for the year, or even years to come, we decided to take a step back and not only rethink how we celebrate color, but how we can be better stewards of building the confidence consumers need when choosing a color,” says Brett White, senior vice president of sales and marketing at Sherwin-Williams. “The Loneliest Color allows us to shed light on a hue that is unexpected and out of the ordinary for some.”
The bold gold is uniquely set apart by its earthy undertones and high saturation. According to design visionary Dapper Dan, who has been tapped as The Loneliest Color’s creative director, Kingdom Gold not only provides a radiant energy but also “celebrates the overlooked” and “will help people find the confidence to show the world their true colors.”
“The concept of celebrating The Loneliest Color is an artistic interpretation of what color is at its core. The full color spectrum would not be what it is without each individual shade—meshing and blending to bring meaning to every aspect of our lives,” says Sue Wadden, Sherwin-Williams director of color marketing. “There are challenges posed in home design when selecting a shade with intensity, but with the right palette and design support, Kingdom Gold can provide a magical balance that’s both grounding and stimulating.”
According to Wadden, the addition of Kingdom Gold invites vibrancy, energy, and creativity into a home or space. Small pops of it will create a stunning visual impact.
She suggests to balance the gold with trending deep blues and purples for contrast, analogous warm oranges or yellow for harmony, and neutral tones for balance.
“I recommend homeowners incorporate Kingdom Gold in small doses through throw pillows, artwork, or decorative items that will add warmth without overwhelming,” adds Wadden. “Feature and accent walls are a great place to add a bold shade that will create a focal point in a larger, well-lit room that balances with neutral colors elsewhere.”
