Mad about Marsala

BY Sam Page

Marsala is a sweet wine from Italy, which is usually served chilled with Parmesan cheese, fruits or pastries, and the sweeter varieties are often offered as a dessert wine, but this year the deep, reddish colour of the tipple takes centre-stage as Pantone’s Colour Of The Year for 2015.

While some regard the entire process of choosing an annual colour as a flamboyant gimmick, the African continent is no stranger to Pantone 18-1438, as it’s known in design circles.

You only have to look at the jewelled pomegranate pearls in your salad, visit the spice markets in Marrakesh or peruse the Sunny Rose SS’15 collection at Lagos Fashion and Design Week, held in October last year, to see how prevalent it already is.

But what does marsala do for interior design? According to a Pantone expert, “Marsala provides a unifying element for interior spaces. Add elegance to any room by incorporating this rich and welcoming hue in accent pieces, accessories and paint.”

They add that Marsala’s plush characteristics are enhanced when the colour is applied to textured surfaces, making it an ideal choice for rugs and upholstered living room furniture.

Nurturing and fulfilling, Marsala is a natural fit for the kitchen and dining room – ideal for a tabletop, small appliances and linens throughout the home.

Pantone predicts that the hue will be especially prominent in striping and floral patterns found in printed place mats, dinnerware, bedding and throws.

Chic African’s verdict? Marsala is perfectly paired with black, white, beige and grey and, in moderation, brings elegance, sophistication and confidence to your favourite spaces.