Quiet White Power

One of Japanese writer Haruki Murakami’s novels is titled Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage. It tells the story of a man whose very name means colourless, set against four friends named after colours—blue, red, white and black—who abruptly cut him out of their lives. What follows is a searching journey for meaning and truth.

Ironically, the announcement of Pantone’s Colour of the Year 2026, Cloud Dancer, sparked similar unease. Dismissed by some as flat or “colourless”, it was quickly written off. Yet, when used with intention, designers insist Cloud Dancer can be quietly transformative.

Minnie Bhatt, founder of Minnie Bhatt Designs, Mumbai, describes it as “a warm, understated white that sits between classic neutral and emotional colour. Unlike stark whites, it has a softness that responds beautifully to light, shifting gently through the day to create calm, grounded interiors.”

Perks of Being Subtle
Cloud Dancer works best as a foundational tone—on walls, ceilings, cabinetry and architectural surfaces— acting as a canvas that lets materiality and craftsmanship take canter stage. “In kitchens and dining areas, warmth is key,” Bhatt explains. “Pair it with tactile materials and layered lighting. Think sand, taupe, mushroom greys and soft browns. Muted greens, clay tones and subtle terracottas add depth, while brushed brass or aged bronze elevate details and hardware.”

In kitchens especially, Cloud Dancer allows spaces to feel open and breathable, highlighting carpentry and surfaces without visual noise. Matte or softly textured finishes suit it best, while ceilings painted in the shade enhance light and height.

Beyond function, it sets an emotional register. “It creates calm,” Bhatt notes, “so furniture, art and personal objects feel intentional.” Layering is essential—woven rugs, linen or bouclé upholstery, soft drapery and wood with visible grain. Minimalist or maximalist, Cloud Dancer acts as a visual pause, balancing bolder elements without dulling them.

Slow but solid
While Indian homes have long embraced white for marble kitchen countertops and cabinetry, the softness of Cloud Dancer introduces a sense of slowness to the space. Amid simmering curries, colourful pickle jars, and baskets of vegetables and fruit, it lends an almost sacred calm. Even meals at the dining table seem to inherit that quiet, grounding serenity.

According to architect Priyank Mehta of PM Studio, Mumbai, Cloud Dancer— or any similar soft white—pairs best with earthy flooring rather than glossy, marble-like surfaces. “Add some mellow yellow lighting and you have the perfect container to introduce different design styles. The backdrop colour holds the space, allowing furniture, art and fabrics to take center stage,” says Mehta.

Loud in Its Quiet
For Umashan Naidoo, Head of Customer & Beauty at Trent Ltd, Westside, Cloud Dancer is an invitation to rethink white altogether. “It’s about slightly tinted whites, layering textures, or even letting Cloud Dancer work with itself. A kitchen done this way could elevate how one cooks—and even how one plates food.”

Mixing vintage pieces with the colour of the year, then adding a single pop— red, yellow or lime green—keeps things playful. “Think of Cloud Dancer as the pause between sentences,” Naidoo says. “It lets everything else in the room speak clearly.”

Soft Touch Accents

• Malachite Inlaid Cutlery Set with White Marble Handles — ₹2,990
  Bring a touch of refined indulgence to the table. Malachite-inlaid white marble handles elevate everyday dining, turning even the simplest meal into a quietly luxurious ritual.

• Amodini Yellow Solid Round Sabai Grass Table Mats (Set of 2) — ₹1,090
  Handwoven from natural sabai grass, these table mats draw on West Bengal’s artisanal legacy, adding warmth, texture and an understated sophistication to everyday dining and a nice contrast to Cloud Dancer shade crockery.

• Studio Pottery Ceramic Quarter Plate — ₹2,687
  Crafted by Auroville artisans, this ceramic quarter plate blends natural materials with contemporary design, lending modern charm while celebrating thoughtful, sustainable craftsmanship.

• Razza Ivory Tulip Buta Linen Kashmir Chain Stitch Cushion Cover — ₹5,999
  Made from fine linen and adorned with delicate Kashmiri chain-stitch embroidery, this floral cushion cover brings softness, warmth and timeless elegance to living spaces.