In recent years, the general trend we see in everyday life is a growing need for natural tones, which offer a sense of calm and serenity in our world. This trend is also seen in the choices being made when homeowners look to refresh the colors around their house.

The color team at C2 Paint is seeing similar sentiments. This has led the team to select C2 Epernay 639 as its 2026 Color of the Year. Tia Clarida, marketing director at C2 Paint, says that C2 Epernay is an incredibly versatile and transitional shade that embodies timeless elegance, both inside and outside of your home.

“Its soft, sophisticated tone works beautifully in both interior and exterior spaces, pairing effortlessly with a wide range of palettes,” Clarida observes. “We especially love it on cabinetry, where its warmth really comes to life in natural light, creating a refined yet inviting presence.”

C2 Epernay is named after the French village that is regarded for its rolling vineyards and limestone architecture. As a soft yellow, C2 Epernay brings with it a range of feelings.

“Yellow, in particular, is a color of contrasts,” Clarida notes. “It symbolizes joy, warmth, and creativity, yet historically has also been tied to betrayal or fragility. That duality feels very much of this moment, reflecting both optimism and complexity in today’s world.”

Clarida notes that C2’s color journey always begins with inspiration—whether from art, travel, history, or the natural world, with Philippa Radon, interior designer + C2 color specialist, providing the spark.

“Philippa often returns from Europe with images that capture a cultural moment, sparking ideas that merge personal meaning with broader design and fashion trends,” Clarida says. “This year, we found ourselves drawn to classic hues that have endured throughout history, carrying an inherent elegance that feels both age-old and modern.

“C2 Epernay reflects this duality: honoring tradition while offering a fresh perspective for today’s interiors,” she adds. “It reminds us that the classics are not relics of the past, but living inspirations that can be reimagined in contemporary spaces. It also connects to the beauty of life’s essential luxuries—the hand-carved detail of millwork, the patina of a handmade bowl, the grounding presence of nature—those subtle, tactile elements that give a home its soul.

“For us, the process runs deeper than trend forecasting—it’s about creating beauty that resonates on an emotional level,” Clarida reports. “Paint is one of the simplest yet most powerful tools for transforming a space, and it’s a privilege to help people bring more meaning, comfort, and inspiration into their everyday lives.

“C2 Epernay has long been tied to European influences and is now emerging in contemporary design for its classic, versatile ambiance,” adds Radon. “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.”

Clarida observes that nature remains C2 Paint’s guiding muse.

“Epernay embodies the warmth and light we seek to bring into homes,” says Clarida. “At C2, we focus on the details that make a space truly special—those that reflect personal stories and create a sense of belonging. Last year’s Color of the Year, C2 Raku, drew inspiration from the Japanese tea ceremony, celebrating beauty in simplicity. Epernay continues this narrative with a softer, more luminous palette, balancing timeless sophistication with a modern sensibility.

“While Raku celebrated depth, ritual, and soulful richness, Epernay offers a counterbalance—light, warmth, and timeless elegance,” she adds. “Together, they illustrate the yin and yang of design: boldness and restraint, depth and luminosity, tradition and modernity.”

To pair with C2 Epernay, C2 Paint has created the En Terre palette for 2026. In addition. to Epernay 639, the featured colors are Parador 922, which provides olive and mushroom undertones; Spearmint 700, a soft green that lies between mint and sage; Potato Leek 914, which has a touch of green and a velvety beige.

In addition, C2 Paint is offering Snowsky (BD15), a porcelain white, and Blueberry (BD26), described as an inky blue. These two hues are part of interior designer Barry Dixon’s “The Naturals” collection for C2 Paint.

“These colors draw from the deepest wells of memory and materials—earth, wind, fire, and water. They’re the shades of lived experience and layered interiors. I believe color, when chosen with soul, becomes the most honest form of storytelling,” says Dixon.

“Color helps us tell our stories without words. As a brand built on quality and craftsmanship, we sense a collective craving to rediscover beauty in everyday moments and surround ourselves with meaningful color that brings depth to our homes and lives. We are thrilled to have designer Barry Dixon as part of our 2026 En Terre palette; his penchant for color, attention to detail, and appreciation of the natural world authentically align with our brand,” adds Clarida.