Looking ahead to 2026, paint brand C2 Pains is marking a return to design that nourishes the soul — rich with depth, purpose and beauty. Their Color of the Year, C2 Epernay #639, embodies this ethos.
Named after the French village known for its rolling vineyards and limestone architecture, C2 Epernay channels the warmth of sunlit stone, the muted richness of vintage textiles, and the opulence of champagne — reflecting the essence of refined French charm.
Historically, this pale, sophisticated yellow was prominent in European interiors during the Beaux-Arts and Neoclassical periods and was admired for its versatility, warmth, and connection to the natural world. Today, it reemerges in contemporary design, bringing age-old elegance into modern spaces. Its classic hue recalls life’s essential luxuries: the tactile surface of a handmade bowl, the hand-carved lines of ornamental millwork, and the grounding presence of nature — those often-overlooked details that give a home its soul.
“C2 Epernay has long been tied to European influences and is now emerging in contemporary design for its classic, versatile ambiance,” says Philippa Radon, interior designer and C2 color specialist. “This historic hue helps us retell the wondrous stories woven through history via the inseparable threads of color, art, furnishings, and nature. It reminds us to appreciate the personal touches that make a home uniquely ours—and to live with reverence for the stories we’re creating every day.”
The En Terre palette for 2026 celebrates nature as mentor and muse, reinterpreting timeless elements through a modern lens and reflecting a growing desire to reconnect with design details that are rooted and meaningful. The colors echo the lived-in tones of generational gardens, weathered facades, and natural fibers warmed by sunlight. Together, this palette honors a deeper movement toward heritage, craftsmanship, and mindful design — an aesthetic that speaks to the stories embedded in everyday spaces. It’s an appreciation of those familiar-yet-forgotten moments that connect and ground us in a world that moves so fast.
Included in this year’s En Terre palette, beside Epernay 639, Parador 922, Spearmint 700 and Potato Leek 914, are two standout shades from interior designer Barry Dixon’s “The Naturals” collection for C2 Paint:
Blueberry BD26 — A cultivated, inky blue with blackcurrant depth; it reads velvet-rich under lamplight and brings tailored drama to paneling, doors, and bookcases.
Snowsky BD15 — A porcelain off-white with a whisper of sky; it’s an elegant field color for walls and ceilings and a calming companion for trim.
“These colors draw from the deepest wells of memory and materials — earth, wind, fire, and water,” says Dixon. “They’re the shades of lived experience and layered interiors. I believe color, when chosen with soul, becomes the most honest form of storytelling.”
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