WHAT’S YOUR COLOR OF THE YEAR?
“Man needs color to live; it's just as necessary an element as fire and water." – Hans Hofmann
If you’ve known RB Collaborative founder Rachel for long, you know that she’s a diehard black and white aesthetic girl. Maybe it’s from her days in journalism and her love of newspapers, but she’s always loved the clean, yet dramatic look of pure black and white. Honestly, we’re proud of her when she changes things up and just wears a shirt that’s not black.
But over the years, even she has come to embrace the power of color. And for good reason! Color makes you feel. It makes you think. It makes you take action. It can calm you and invigorate you, make you happy and make you cry.
Colors have special meaning to each individual. We’re not influenced by trends or a certain brand’s color of the year. We’re talking to you Pantone — white? Of all the colors to choose from…
So we’ve picked our own colors for 2026:
Rachels’ Pick— Midnight Purple
Moody, expansive, and quietly powerful, midnight purple is the perfect color to represent Rachel. It’s a shade that doesn’t shout for attention; it invites you in.
Deep and rich, with cool blue undertones, it feels contemplative and natural. There’s something almost painterly about it, reminiscent of Dutch master backdrops with their dark, velvety grounds that allow florals, light, and detail to just glow with intensity.
In website design, this is a color that encourages presence. It suggests depth and discovery, an experience where you’re meant to spend time, explore, and think. Midnight purple has some questions: “What comes next?” “What might I uncover here?” [Of course, we still believe in clarity and usability, so don’t hide the important stuff if you want business!]
This shade is especially compelling for creative firms that prioritize originality and emotional connection. It provides a great backdrop on which to showcase the thoughtful copy and strong visuals that build a sense of intrigue and meaning. It also works well for luxury and modern décor brands. Think: modern interiors, refined materials, and a sense of quiet drama.
Color Pairing— Midnight Purple + Ice Blue
Together, midnight purple and icy blue recall the experience of looking up at the Milky Way — that soft, hazy glow stretching across a dark sky. Rachel recalls that when she was younger, the stars felt closer and clearer; you could step outside at night and let moonlight and stars guide you. Now, with so much light pollution, that kind of sky is rare. This color combination invites reflection, slowing you down just enough to remember, to wonder, and to look a little harder for what still shines.
Together, these colors strike a balance between dreaming and grounding. The purple invites wonder, imagination, and introspection while the icy blue brings clarity and stability.
Try it out:
Purple #1D0B3E
Blue #D8F1F5
Rebecca’s Pick— Phthalo Green
Simultaneously natural and luxurious, phthalo green represents everything Rebecca’s looking for in 2026 — more nature, more serenity, and more whimsy.
This deep, saturated green has a slightly blue undertone, creating a cool and mysterious shade that evokes lush jungles and deep oceans. It brings a sense of calm, vitality, and sophisticated mystery when used in art, design, or décor. It’s grounding yet mystical.
Phthalo green is more than just a color; it’s a symbol of innovation and creativity. While we think of it as a particular color, it’s also a breakthrough pigment used by painters.
Quick history lesson: Before the 1930s, artists looking for a vibrant, stable green often had to rely on emerald green [an unstable, highly toxic pigment that contained arsenic] or viridian [which, while stable, contained copper which was also toxic]. The advent of phthalo green effectively rendered the others obsolete, offering artists a non-toxic, lightfast alternative with superior mixing power. The color’s name is an homage to both the hue and to innovation.
Color Pairing— Phthalo Green + Pale Pink
We’re taking a cue from our houseplants and pairing phthalo green with pale pink.
Green and pink is a classic color combo. Pink is inherently warm, and green tends to lean heavily on its cool parent color, blue. When paired together they create an immediate contrast that still feels harmonious and relatively soft. Pink's red notes mingle with green's cool blues creating that striking visual dynamic we know and love.
This combination is not just “pretty.” If you’re looking to use it on your website or branding, it’s also good for accessibility!
Try it out:
Green #123633 Green
Pink #E7D0D3
So as we move into 2026, what color has meaning for you? What color symbolizes your goals or your view toward the new year? Share yours here.
