Coffee & Wine
Sometimes, the trends we resist the most can spark the greatest creativity. Mocha Moose might not be my favorite color, but it led me to explore the rich beauty of Italian coffee culture and Florentine marbling. Check out my Spoonflower design and see how inspiration can transform “meh” into magic!
Turning Mocha Moose into a Work of Art
WINTER 2024
Finding Inspiration in the Unexpected
Let’s talk about the Pantone Color of the Year—Mocha Moose. If you’re not familiar, it’s a muted, earthy brown that seems to be popping up everywhere this year. And while it might be getting a lot of love in the design world, I’ll be honest: I’m not a fan. Don’t get me wrong; brown can be beautiful in the right context, but Mocha Moose? It feels overdone, uninspired, and, frankly, I’m tired of hearing about it.
That said, sometimes the things we resist most have a way of surprising us. Case in point: this month’s Spoonflower challenge. The theme? Mocha Moose. At first, I wasn’t thrilled about working with brown tones—especially given my feelings about Mocha Moose. But then, inspiration hit in the most unexpected way.
My mind wandered to Florence, Italy, a city that feels like a masterpiece in itself. I started thinking about the richness of Italian coffee culture—the velvety texture of a perfectly brewed espresso, the creamy swirls in a frothy cappuccino, and the deep, comforting warmth of mocha. From there, my thoughts turned to the art of Italian marbling, a centuries-old tradition that graces paper, book covers, and even fabrics with mesmerizing patterns.
Combining these ideas, I found myself diving into a palette of mocha browns, creamy whites, and golden accents, inspired by both the boldness of Italian coffee and the elegance of Florentine marbling. The result? A design that feels timeless, sophisticated, and completely unlike my initial feelings toward Mocha Moose.
This challenge reminded me why I love what I do. Design has a way of turning even the most uninspiring trends into opportunities for creativity and beauty. I might not be rushing out to paint my walls in Mocha Moose, but I’m proud of how I’ve reimagined the color’s potential in my latest work.
Curious to see how it turned out? Check out my entry in this month’s Spoonflower challenge [here]. And if you’re like me and feeling less-than-thrilled about the color trends this year, I hope this inspires you to find your own unique spin on them. After all, creativity is all about turning “meh” into magic.
Cheers to coffee, wine, and the unexpected joys of design!
– Amy