It used to be that Pantone colours were only known in industries which were affected directly by 'colour' - I was in publishing so I saw Pantone colour cards all the time in the art departments of the magazines I worked on. The idea was that if a designer wanted a certain colour to appear in print, he/she would give the printer the official Pantone colour so that the final colour was achieved to perfection, whatever the colour or shade of the paper it was printed on.

But now it seems the Pantone colour of the Year is a must-know fact for anyone interested in fashion or homes or design as it has huge influence on their decisions. And loads of my friends who aren't in any of those trades love the Pantone mugs!

Each year, the Pantone colour of the year is chosen over a two-day period by the Pantone company as they consider the mood of the world and what colour would suit it best. This year the chosen colour is Marsala. Pantone describe it as a tasteful hue and say: 'Much like the fortified wine that gives Marsala its name, this tasteful hue embodies the satisfying richness of a fulfilling meal while its grounding red-brown roots emanate a sophisticated, natural earthiness.' I think Marsala is the perfect red/brown for warming up contemporary spaces and will fit snugly into more traditional ones. And we have a fabulous 'Marsala'-hued rug in our gallery of warming winter room decor ideas. So I am liking the Marsala trend while the weather is cold. Not sure how it will fit in with my mood come spring and summer though. What do you think of it?