Happy New Year! To kick it off in style, HighCraft interior designers Jill Sanchez, Kelly Allen and Kira Koldeway share their thoughts on current trends, including Pantone’s 2026 color of the year.
Each member of our design team contributed to the expert advice article “4 Kitchen and Bath Trends for 2026” that appeared in Colorado Homes & Lifestyles magazine. In it, Kira wrote, “Get ready for a revival of stone surfaces and mixed metals.”
In addition to seeing more stone and metal this year, the designers say to watch for capsule-shaped tiles, vertical detailing, and fluted paneling to make a bold statement in 2026.
“These elongated and ribbed elements create a sense of movement and visual rhythm, adding architectural interest to even the simplest surfaces,” Jill was quoted as saying.
To learn more about their top four kitchen and bath trends, be sure to check out the full article, which includes project photos.
2026 Color of the Year
Pantone Color Institute, the international authority on color trends, announced Cloud Dancer as its 2026 color of the year — an ethereal off-white neutral.
Pantone describes Cloud Dancer as “A whisper of tranquility and peace in a noisy world.”
Leatrice Eiseman, Pantone’s Executive Director, goes on to say, “… Cloud Dancer is a discrete white hue offering a promise of clarity. The cacophony that surrounds us has become overwhelming, making it harder to hear the voices of our inner selves. A conscious statement of simplification, Cloud Dancer enhances our focus, providing release from the distraction of external influences.”
What do our designers think of Cloud Dancer?
When asked to share thoughts about Pantone’s color of the year, Kira, Jill and Kelly appreciate its soothing tone and understated versatility. They point to an award-winning Loveland remodel as a great example of how a subtle color like Cloud Dancer can make a big impact on a home’s interior design.
“Cloud Dancer is a clean, light color that opens up a space without feeling cold or stark,” says Kira. “This helps a room feel brighter, calmer, and more spacious.
“In bedrooms and bathrooms, Cloud Dancer lends a spa-like quality. It’s a soft, airy neutral that supports interiors that feel relaxing, intentional, and restorative.”
Kelly adds, “With all the distractions we have in our day-to-day lives, Cloud Dancer brings that calming aspect so many of us crave. There is no sense of overstimulation in a soothing Cloud Dancer space.”
“It thoughtfully balances practicality and comfort,” Kira says, “allowing other materials, textures, and personal details to take center stage against a quiet, timeless backdrop.”
“I agree,” says Jill. “Cloud Dancer is a team player in a space. It has a presence, but allows other materials — such as backsplashes, light fixtures, artwork, and fireplace surrounds — to be the stars of the show.”
“I think Cloud Dancer is beautiful,” Jill adds. “When you look at it — really look at it — Cloud Dancer becomes so much more than just ‘white.’ There is depth to the color. In a certain light, it takes on a warmer hue, with undertones of faint grays as well, owning up to its name like a fluffy, summer cloud.”
“The balance of the soft and subtle yet playful undertones, makes Cloud Dancer the perfect name for this color,” agrees Kelly.
“To me, Cloud Dancer also represents looking at the new year as a fresh start and clean slate,” Jill says. “It has a pure, refreshing influence.”
“Similar to the paint color on the walls of this Loveland remodel, Cloud Dancer creates a soft, neutral background for any room of a home,” she says. “It’s inviting and soothing, and pairs nicely with a crisp white trim around doors and windows for subtle contrast.”
“It won’t compete with bold accents either,” Kelly adds. “Every client has their own unique style. Using Cloud Dancer as a neutral base allows you to build your individual style, layer by layer, on top of its beautiful blank canvas. Cloud Dancer is a selfless color, allowing your personality to shine.”
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Whether you’re developing plans for a custom home, or want to reimagine the space you have with a remodel, HighCraft’s experienced design-build team can navigate every detail of the planning and construction process for projects of any size. Contact HighCraft with questions or to schedule a free consultation.
