Since 2000, the Pantone Color Institute, a global leader in trend forecasting, has selected a color (or two) that will dominate fashion, art and design for the year to come. For 2021, the experts the Institute surveyed selected two shades that pair beautifully together, but also stand on their own: Ultimate Gray is described as “steadfast, practical and foundational,” while Illuminating has been dubbed “a sunny yellow shade that lends optimism, warmth and cheer.” Here are a few ways to work each hue into your kitchen and bath design schemes separately and together.

How to incorporate Ultimate Gray and Illuminating in the kitchen:

1. Consider an area rug. Kitchens tend to be where people gather — and (shoeless) feet feel coziest on carpeting. Black, white, and black and white kitchens get a touch of warmth when an Ultimate Gray-toned area rug is layered on top of tile flooring. Pottery and other table toppers in gray are also easy ways to feature Ultimate Gray in the kitchen.
2. Try an accent wall. Either to give an eat-in kitchen nook its own identity or to enliven one side of the room, a splash of sunny yellow paint serves as an instant mood and design booster.
3. Couple gray with metallic fixtures. To complement gray countertops or tile flooring in a modern way, pick a stainless, chrome or matte black faucet. Metallic drawer pulls can also elevate an all-gray kitchen. 

How to incorporate Ultimate Gray and Illuminating in the bathroom:

1. For a spa-like, serene atmosphere, experts recommend neutral colors, like gray, in the bathroom. Though yellow can be beautiful as an accent to gray, avoid using the shade to paint the whole bathroom; light bounces off it and can do funny things to a person’s skin tone (giving it a greenish cast) when confined to a small, enclosed space.
2. Opt for fresh (or silk) yellow flowers, like daffodils or crocuses, to add a naturally cheerful element to a gray bathroom. 

How to incorporate Ultimate Gray and Illuminating together in your kitchen or bathroom:

1. Finding throw pillows and blankets for banquette seating in the kitchen in both shades is a great way to dip your toe into the gray-and-yellow trend in a soft, natural, yet not necessarily permanent way.
2. Fold yellow hand towels over gray bath towels in a basket or over a rack to give an all-white bathroom a little kick of color.

A few Peerless Faucets that Fit the Bill:

1. The Xander Single Handle Pulldown Kitchen, which is available in chrome, matte black or stainless finishes, blends seamlessly with gray countertops or even a gray accent wall.
2. Consider the Claymore Two Handle Kitchen Faucet in an oil rubbed bronze finish, which has both yellow and gray undertones and matches any 2021 Pantone Color of the Year-inspired kitchen.
3. The Parkwood Two-Handle Widespread Lavatory Faucet, which comes in chrome and brushed nickel finishes, is not only highly utilitarian, but complements a cozy bathroom with Illuminating walls or touches.

To give a smaller space a bigger feel, go for the sleek, statement making Precept Single Handle Centerset Bathroom Faucet, which comes in chrome, brushed nickel and matte black finishes and plays nicely off Ultimate Gray and Illuminating flourishes.