For the uninitiated, Pantone may as well be some sci-fi character, or a chemical or a car model. But for those who follow the “world-renowned” color authority, January brought a momentous occasion: the announcement of 2010′s Color of the Year. That would be turquoise, and a very lovely incarnation, I might add. This particular shade reminds me simultaneously of Fiestaware and a tight Guess dress I wore to a fraternity date party once (I called it the “Barbie” dress). Strange associations, but what can I say? I did kind of covet that dress.

I remember attending Pantone lectures while on the home decor trade show circuit. I geeked out over trend forecasts and color theory then, and once again, the establishment has figured into a work-based task (that is, finding pictures of the shade for a client presentation). Now that spring’s trenches and dresses are being rolled out on racks it will be interesting to see if the color makes a strong showing. Though I’m a bit sad to bid adieu to layers and leggings and wool, Rachel Roy’s breezy ensemble above makes it a bit easier.

The best part of acquainting myself with this color was the rediscovery of this photo from Copenhagen’s Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, designed by the incomparable Arne Jacobsen. The room, preserved with the original decor from 1960, is filled with Egg and Swan chairs in the hue deemed this year’s color to beat.

And so from searching to colors to seeing this photo (and subsequently seeing Ant chairs seemingly everywhere I turned at the Milwaukee Museum of Art), now I’m back to my Scandinavian design guide book pipe dream….

But I digress. That turquoise sure is lovely…