2017 initiated with the design world’s most anticipated announcement, Pantone’s ‘Color of the Year’. This year’s colour was awarded to an organic and wholesome hue, ‘Greenery’ (PANTONE 15-0343). This tone has been meticulously studied and applied to many great design houses’ pieces, with others following suit.
The Greenery shade has in fact been the key inspiration for Pantone and Airbnb for the design of their collaborative scheme for Clerkenwell’s ‘Outside In’ house.
The pair came together back in January this year to unveil their transformational experience that was available to guests from all around the world.
Bringing to life Pantone’s Greenery, a home in London underwent a stunning metamorphosis, transforming into an indoor-outdoor oasis so, that for the very first time, people can truly live Pantone’s colour. Promoting growth and vitality for the year ahead, this magical haven featured a woodland reception, an indoor greenhouse that doubles as a dining room, garden bedroom with its own mown lawn, topiaries and soporific plants, a tented nook for children to sleep in and a herb garden kitchen.
In November 2016, Airbnb expanded beyond the home with the launch of trips, and the ‘Outside In’ house welcomed the public and encouraged them to sample Greenery-themed, local experiences.
All experiences in the house were interactive and inspired by living nature: guests could hear the soft sounds of nature throughout, forage from its walls for vegetables and herbs, drink tea with leaves picked from a hydroponics installation, choose plants to make terrarium vases and even pick leaves to design prints.
The public could also book overnight stays in the ‘Outside In’ house, as well as a number of sample Airbnb experiences with expert hosts during the day.
As guests crossed the earthy threshold, they were fully immersed in the outside, and greeted by the house ‘groundskeeper’ with a fresh, healthy green juice, made locally and colour-matched to PANTONE 15-0343 Greenery. The house was designed to be environmentally green too; all materials were recycled where possible and spare plants have been donated to community gardens.
Commenting on the project, Laurie Pressman, VP of the Pantone Color Institute, said: “As PANTONE 15-0343 Greenery is a warm and zesty yellow-green shade that speaks to our desire to disconnect, replenish and energise, it seemed a natural extension for us to partner with Airbnb for the very first time to bring the Pantone Color of the Year 2017 to life. The holistic view of travel and community – on promoting a feeling of connection to nature and each other no matter where we go – speaks to the spirit of Greenery and has changed the way we explore, and experience cities internationally.”