disclosure: This post is sponsored by Sherwin-Williams®.
It is literally my favorite time of year.
When my heart beats faster and I start to think in brilliant bursts of vivid hues and my project fingers start tingling and I turn on the creativity faucet.
It’s time to announce the 2019 Sherwin-Williams® Color of the Year.
If you have read this blog for more than a hot minute you might have seen some of my other projects with them.
There was this one.
And this one.
And this one.
And this project that’s still one of my favorites that’s been featured in several publications including HGTV Magazine.
All those colors.
I’ve loved them each and every one.
But now? There’s a new color in town. One that’s current and trending and works with almost every different type of design style.
Are you ready?
Meet the 2019 Sherwin-Williams Color of the Year.
Hello Cavern Clay SW 7701.
Nice to meet you.
I’m super happy you are here because I have a challenge I need a little help with.
One that’s a little overwhelming.
One that needs a super hero to save the day.
My backyard.
Yikes.
I know. Pitiful. This is me and my backyard hanging our heads in shame.
And in the sadest news of all? This is kind of an after. This is after we moved some plants and after we cleaned up the space and after we had the water faucet moved.
All that aftering.
And it still looked like this.
But I had a vision. I had a dream. I wanted to create an area where we could gather and have picnics in the backyard and spend time together and eat outside under the stars and listen to the distant sounds of a Friday night football game. So we cleaned up the area and planted new beds and laid down outdoor flooring and painted an entire dining set with my new friend Cavern Clay.
And now?
The space looks like this.
And this.
And this.
I can’t even tell you how happy I am with this space.
It’s everything I imagined and more.
The thing that’s amazing about this color is that you can dress it up or dress it down. If you add neutrals to it, Cavern Clay becomes a little mysterious, a little rustic and takes center stage. But if you add bolder colors? It becomes a neutral.
A glorious, wonderful neutral that adds a layer of color to the space without overpowering it.
I wasn’t sure which design direction I was going to take.
Until.
Until I found this rug.
Isn’t it beautiful?
It had all the colors—including Cavern Clay.
I used it to ground the space.
We painted the chairs with a paint sprayer to give them a clean finish.
Don’t they look like they were meant to be this color?
The paint pros at Sherwin-Williams suggested using Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel because the furniture would be outdoors because it is designed for wood furniture, both indoors and out.
We laid down this outdoor flooring from IKEA to define the seating area.
Next, I chose the blue from the rug as an accent color and layered in the pillows.
And added this jute runner with an embroidered Moroccan pattern.
There’s a cozy throw for when the sun sets.
Each of the chairs has a pillow in a blue and white fabric.
I also filled a vase with Trader Joe’s flowers and placed it in the center of the table.
Each place setting has blue and white outdoor plates and monogrammed plastic glasses.
The plant beds were filled with boxwoods and I put a few plants in planters around the edge of the seating area.
It took a couple of weekends to clear the yard and plant the beds and paint the furniture.
But every single minute was worth it.
Especially because…
This.
Now looks like this.
*sigh*
I’m so all about Cavern Clay SW 7701.
It’s the kind of color that blends in when you want it to and stands out when you need it to.
It’s a color that says I’m here to inspire you to reach for the stars.
And it’s the perfect color to come to the rescue….
…when your backyard needs a superhero.
What do you think of the 2019 Color of the Year?
disclosure: This post was written in collaboration with Sherwin-Williams.
All opinions are my own.
Please see my disclosure page for more information.
Fabulous makeover I NEED that rug Source?
I got it at Lowe's! Here's the link: https://www.lowes.com/pd/allen-roth-Outdoor-Navy-Rectangular-Machine-made-Area-Rug-Common-5-X-8-Actual-8-ft-W-x-5-ft-L-x-dia/1000366401
Thank you so much for sharing the source for the rug! I had the "need" reaction when I saw it - it'll be perfect in my girls' playroom. It looks like it might be one of those outdoor rugs that are soft to the touch and could be a playroom rug - is that how it is in person too? Thank you again!!!!!
Love your makeover
I love the rug, too. In fact planning to order not one - but 2 - for my outdoor spaces. I meant to buy rugs this year but never got around to shopping. Thanks for rescuing me!
I really LOVE this color---Cavern Clay! I'd also love to see it with neutrals & also with black and white! You all did an awesome job on this project! Yard work is hard!
At first glance, I wasn't a fan of the color, but it is FABULOUS on your furniture. I'm rethinking my like/dislike for it now.
WOW! A definite superhero make-over! A great place to relax. What a wonderful use of the new color. Great job!
Love!!!!
Wonderful job!
Love the make over! Whee did you find the jute rug?
Oh Karianne, You nailed the transformation of that backyard. The rug looks like a Vera Bradley blanket I have! I didn't see a rug to go with it!? The corner of your yeard is so cozy and inviting.
What a beautiful makeover and so fast! You did a month’s worth of work in a couple of weekends? Amazing!
Oooooooh, I love this!
Initial reaction on a rainy day was no way. But after seeing what you did with it, pure genius! I was just thinking of you this morning and felt like I hadn't seen a post in awhile and there you were brightening my day. Beautiful, stunning! Just like everything you do,
I absolutely love this color and your new backyard makeover too. Both are fabulous. So bright and cheerful without screaming at you.
Beautiful makeover! Where oh, where did you come by that pretty white vase on the table?
Connie, Here you go and it's on sale right now: https://www.hobbylobby.com/Floral-Wedding/Containers-Fillers/Containers/11-1-2-White-Ceramic-Flower-Print-Textured-Vase/p/114479 Happy day! karianne
I love when a neutral gets color of the year! Go, neutral!!!! I actually have a winter coat in that color! LOL! Love the look, love all the colors together, Love, love, LOVE the rug, but my question is the foundation. I love the outdoor flooring, and have looked at it online and wondered if it would work in my back yard. I need INFO, girl! How did you prepare the space before you laid the flooring? What are the measurements of the space now? Will it weather? Inquiring minds want to know! PS, I got your devotional in the mail yesterday! Whoo-hooooo!!!!!!! You go, girl!
Love it!!!! So warm and inviting! Love the way you mixed all the colors together!!!
Just awesome. On my way to sip tea and just listen to you!
Well wow, another awesome makeover from y'all. You are seriously hard workers! It looks fabulous, as all of your projects do. While I am not a lover of orange tones, it still looks wonderful and pulled together and cheerful and fun and I can really imagine teenagers hanging there while you run back and forth with pizzas and snacks. I think you may be a candidate to be in an energizer bunny commercial. Please come live with me for awhile.
I have to admit that when I saw it on the paintbrush I thought, 'hmmm".. but after seeing it on the chairs /table.. VaVaVoom! It's gorgeous, Karianne! Great choice.
KariAnne,your patio/backyard transformation is wonderful! The Cavern Clay paint color is perfect for the table and chairs. Sit back and relax, great job!
Wowza, that's quite the transformation! It looks so inviting and ready for a party! I'll be right over. Let me go put on something fancier.
Mmm...I like this color and I'm not one for earth tones...this looks like warm caramel on crisp Fall apples. Beautiful. The transformation is striking. And I love the wood flooring from IKEA...that's worth a second look. Thanks. :)
I love the warmth of this color...and it is beautiful on your wood furniture! Reminds me of terra cotta pots! The rug and all of the accents are perfect for your cozy gathering spot! Great job, KariAnne!
I love this color. I would love to see it in a kitchen and family room. Wha would it look like in a big timber built home with high ceilings?
Love it!! I used that paint for the first time a few weeks ago and it is so durable! 🙌🏼
where did you use it? woullovo se on walls.
KariAnne, you have worked your magic again! Your outdoor furniture color is great and compliments the space perfectly! Paula
You were the perfect pick for Sherwin-Williams. I would have never come up with your choices that really make the color look good.
Wow!!!!!!!!!! Karianne your yard is beautiful, fabulous, fantastic, bright, bold and colorful!!!!!!!! It's pleasant and restful too!!!! This colorway is my all time favorite. Well done!!!! Enjoy it with your family!
Oh my! I could sit there forever!! Cavern Clay is definitely a color suited for the outdoors!!! Love, love xoxoxo
Cavern Clay is a great neutral. Kinda similar to my walls in my family room. Love it!!! Your new hang out space is gorgeous.....I recognize the rug!! One of the new bold patterns that came in for this Summer. The colors are fun :) I noticed one of your plants is Ixora. That’s the one with the beautiful orange flowers. It’s tropical, so be careful if you get any freezes this Winter. Enjoy🌺
Love the new color of the year! I was actually looking at that color this morning thinking about painting my den that color!!! I have the rug in both sizes, one on my front porch and one in my gazebo in the back yard.
Kristiane, I would love to know the blue-grey colour of your fence!!!! bwahhaha, through you for a loop with that one! regards, Lindy
I was not impressed when I saw the color in my email from Sherwin-Williams. I'm afraid around here that we would just call it Oklahoma Red Dirt, but I want to like it after I saw what you did with it in your backyard because your backyard looks super cute. That is a LOT of aftering.
The color reminds me of Georgia clay . Not a fan but oh that rug!!!!!!
Color reminds me of caramel! The chairs look great. I picked up a couple of Cat palms from Walmart for my patio that look like yours. Great minds... ;)
When I looked at the first picture of the new paint I said, "yuck", that's a terrible color. But then I saw your dining set and it's actually all the things you said it is. I love it used as a neutral. The entire makeover is top notch!
I love your cozy backyard eating area and the color combinations you did with Cavern Clay look great. One thing, when can I come over and join you?
Masterful. Hated the color at first sight. ] "What could they have been thinking of making this the color of the year?! "] Fast forward... Love what you did with it, and could see using it now, if I were as talented as you are. My mind just did not go to "adobe" or "clay pot," but now I see it. Your descriptions have taught me something. Sherwin Williams is lucky to have you! Wow!
KariAnne, Your backyard is stunning! RockStar ✯ worthy... Using the paint sprayer instead of brushing the paint gave your furniture a finish that looks factory applied. As you can tell, I like it! Now, let's talk about the very first image of the color of the year as shown on the paintbrush with a swash of the paint. When I first saw that image, it made me think of ... well... something unpleasant. I'm glad I kept reading and saw the paint on the furniture. 😘 Happy Fall in your newly redone backyard, Judith
At first I thought that color was going to look very drab, but you really made it sing!! It looks beautiful! Great job!
WOW.... Incredible .... Gorgeous.... Beautiful !!!!!!! That color is perfect ..... :) ... and btw.. can I admit I was shaking my head .... that is not your backyard... no way ... you printed that "before" picture from another source .... no way are you admitting to this ..... BUT THEN...... you worked your magic... why would I ever doubt you ?????? lololololol... Congrats!!!! I would love to share a glass of sweet tea with you out in that amazing space !!!!
What a beautiful space! love it all especially the outdoor carpet. Can you please let me know the name of it? I checked with Ikea but was unable to find it. Thanks! ps I am in Canada.
I wasn’t a Cavern Clay fan until I saw that backyard! Wowza!! It couldn’t be any better. You knocked it right out of the park—-or backyard. 😊 I love it. It’s sort of like us...you have to look past the paint chip to see all the fabulous depth and beauty to be brought out. ❤️Once again, you are my inspiration, friend.
Wow!!your back yard looks great!!! With all the flowers and outdoor furniture. The new color looks great on the furniture!! On the computer the new color looks like it leans toward a copper hue.😁
What a transformation, that rug is so fun and I love the IKEA flooring idea. You’ve created a beautiful outdoor space there! Pat
Love that color! What a friendly and inviting spot! I’ll be right over! 😜
Where did you buy the blue and white pillows. Love everything about the space.
LOL Looks like melted Fudgsicle! Have to think about this one. Not too fond of browns. But your pictures do make it look yummy! 😉
I absolutely love this!! We’ve been thinking of buying a paint sprayer. After seeing the job on your outdoor furniture, I know I have to have one! Do you mind telling me the kind you have. It seems there are many on the market at different prices. Do you have to have a super- duper expensive sprayer? Thanks!!!
That looks so inviting. You always get it right. Did you lay the flooring directly on the ground, or is there a barrier of some sort under it? Thanks!
Karianne = rock-star visionary pro! You turned an unpleasant glob of color on the brush into a perfect neutral base color ready for accents. What is the size and shape of this area? I have purchased similar interlocking patio tiles in black plastic from both Costco and Ikea to use in small areas in my backyard. They weren't meant to be a long-term solution, but then again have solved the problem for three years and counting, for less than a hundred bucks.
Love everything you select. My living room is painted this color. Looks great with Saltillo tile. Companion woodwork color is SW steamed milk. Thanks for your devotional "You Got This".
At first glance, didn’t like the color because it looks just like the Virginia red clay soil that surrounds me every day (so it reminds me of dirt), but after I saw how you used it, I think I could embrace it—in small amounts. Well done, Karianne!!! (Note the additional exclamation points!)