For the first time, the Pantone colour institute has chosen a blended mix for their 2016 colour forecast.

Rose quartz and Serenity are the chosen colours for next year, a blend of pale pink and blue, it is almost a throwback to the late 1970s palette of bridesmaids dresses.

This morning the trees were covered with snow and the sky was a dusty shade of pink as the sun rose and it immediately reminded me of this palette.

Although I can appreciate the soft, delicate shades it does provide a challenge to me personally in design as I still lean towards the bold colours and dramatic reds and oranges.

Benjamin Moore announced their colour of the New Year is called Simply White which adds to the ethereal lightness of this new combination.

So what can be done with pink, blue and white?

I bought a house years ago with pink, blue and white tiles on the floor with matching pink and blue puffy valances made out of flannel sheets and I could not get that stuff out of the house fast enough!

It looked like the entire house was a nursery or an Easter egg hunt gone terribly wrong but as in all things related to fashion and design, things have come full circle in relation to colour.

I’m not saying that you need to run out and paint your house pink, please don’t do that!

Pantone sets the pace for colour trends which influence textiles and home décor items but I will think that it doesn’t need to be taken literally.

It is still just a suggestion or a guideline. You can utilize these whimsical colours in your smaller accessories and the fun stuff you indulge in like bath accessories and table settings. Some of the prettiest Christmas trees I’ve seen are decorated in pink and silver, they are absolutely magical.

The good news about this colour grouping is that it blends well with neutral browns and greys so even if you have a modern grey coloured home, you can still accent in a soft shade of pink or blue.

I’m envisioning a modern sleek bathroom with grey cabinets and tile, chrome accents and soft, delicate pink accessories including towels, candles and a wide array of frivolous bath products. This should be your bathroom ladies as I’m not sure that your husbands would appreciate the pink motif!

To bring the serenity blue into your home, think in the direction of glass pieces and tiles which will give you the nuances of blue without actually slapping you in the face with this retro colour.

There is a wide variety of sea glass and sculpture options which look amazing when placed in an area washed in natural light. The sunshine is allowed to pass through the glass and makes the most of the blue/green shades in the item. It is a beautiful accent colour for any type of interior.

White, pink and blue – the colour direction of 2016. Have fun with it!

Think whimsical and cotton candy sweetness as you incorporate a little bit of pretty into your home. I know that when you next find yourself in a home décor store your eye will be drawn to these delicate shades and it will make you stop and consider the possibilities.

Kim Wyse is a local freelance designer. Find her on facebook at ‘Ask a Designer’.