Organized biennially by the Design Center of the Philippines, the Good Design Award Philippines (GDA) champions a distinctly Filipino approach to design rooted in malasakit (caring). It posits that good design goes beyond balancing form, function, and innovation—it creates meaningful solutions that respond to society’s most pressing challenges. The awards also advances the United Nations […]
Mocha Mousse: JJ Acuña’s Hot Take on Pantone’s 2025 Color of the Year
Before 2024 ended, color technology company Pantone declared Mocha Mouse as their color of the year for 2025. Channeling the luscious quality of chocolate and coffee, it’s the first shade of brown to earn the Color of the Year title since 1999. Various fields of the design industry, like fashion and media, found stylish and artistic applications for it in types of fabrics and building color palettes. But how would the world of interior design embrace it? In an exclusive interview with MyHome, JJ Acuña shares his hot takes, initial reservations, and design tips in using Mocha Mousse as an interior hue.
In a State of In-Betweenness
Mocha Mousse is a warm, earthy, rich, yet mellow shade of brown, imbuing our desire for daily comfort and pleasures. Pantone Color Institute Executive Director Leatrice Eiseman described it as something “sophisticated and lush” but has the ability to be unpretentious and grounded. Its sensorial characteristic and evocative power transports us to a state of blissful contentment and simple joys.
If we’re going to cite the recent 2025 Color of the Year announcements of global paint brands, Mocha Mousse is a very sensible choice. In this line-up, a few neutral and brown shades make the cut. Following that trend, it’s safe to say that there’s enough grounds to pick a hue from that color group.
But the founder and creative director of JJ Acuña / Bespoke Studio revealed that he didn’t see this pick coming at all. As someone fond of primary and secondary hues, Acuña initially thought of Mocha Mousse as “a really ugly color,” evoking a sad and perplexing feeling with a hint of political themes. He further dubbed this unexpected 2025 Color of the Year similar to a state of in-betweenness.
The interior designer additionally explained that standing your ground at this critical time is crucial. And Mocha Mousse alone can’t fully reflect that ideal as it recedes from attention and avoids confronting life.
“I think it’s a weird time in the world—with the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine and the downfall of a regime in Syria. So, it feels like the kind of colour that I feel would be appropriate for 2025 is something that can lift up the energy of the world. But to me, Mocha Mousse is similar to not picking a side. Are we optimistic or pessimistic as a people?,” Acuña expressed.
Mocha Mousse in Every Interior Design Aspect
Even with its cautious stance, Acuña concedes to Mocha Mousse’s innate versatility. As a distinct neutral color embodying richness and depth, this color stands out among other shades of brown. The designer furthermore emphasized that it’s not about bright and flashy gestures. Instead, it inspires care, quiet, and solitude. So, it should be treated with due prudence.
“I think people will be more mindful about their choices. Hopefully, Mocha Mousse will make people slow down and be more intentional about what they collect or acquire for their home and space,” Acuña posited.
The Perfect Interior Styles
Beyond its association with the aromatic and velvety beverage, Acuña sees the 2025 Color of the Year directly related to nature, particularly to earth and sand. He guarantees that any concept celebrating natural materials would go perfectly with this hue. This mainly includes Wabi-Sabi, Scandinavian, Normcore, Rustic, Bohemian, and Coastal interior styles.
Mocha Mousse as a Base Color
Moreover, due to its earthy foundation, Pantone’s 2025 Color of the Year also works as a dominant base color, where concepts can take many forms. Acuña advises that the smartest way to begin is by integrating them in materials that usually take the most space in interiors. These are commonly woods, fabrics, and metals.
For metals, in particular, he suggests opting for bronze in case you’ll go for a tonal or monochromatic approach. But he also cautions about utilizing brass and copper as they might compete with Mocha Mousse’s shade.
Building 2025 Color of the Year Palettes
In terms of color combinations, Acuña recommends black as one of the ideal shades to establish a good contrast. Meanwhile, tans, taupes, and beiges with gray undertones might require some finessing as they may or may not generate a visually pleasing result. Creams, cherry and tomato reds, and hunter or any kind of green can complement it well.
Mocha Mousse on Patinated Finishes
Textures also enhance Mocha Mousse’s subtlety. Think of applying it on surfaces with plastering or a lime wash effect. With the finishes’ natural variations combined with the color’s inherent depth, it creates a sense of authenticity and dimension that adds character to the space.
Treatment in Small Amounts
But if you want to use this color in minimal amounts, a curtain or throw pillow accent in linen or natural cotton is a classic choice. It would also look good in anchor pieces such as couches in a brushed velvet or leather.
Designing 2025 with an Intentional Color of the Year
Crafting signature designs through frequent use of wood, Acuña is no stranger to energetically and delicately utilizing brown—including Mocha Mousse. But because it’s a complete shift from the previous bright and lively Pantone Color of the Year, people might view it as dull or understated.
If taken at surface level, it could easily be dismissed as just another shade of brown, overlooking its subtle complexities. Even so, the interior designer hopes that people will take time to appreciate its nuances and encourage a more thoughtful engagement with the color.
Read more: Interior Design Trends: Peach Fuzz as Color of the Year
Frequently Asked Questions
Mocha Mousse is a warm, rich, and earthy shade of brown that evokes the sensory qualities of chocolate and coffee. According to Pantone, it was selected to reflect a desire for comfort and simple pleasures, offering a grounded and unpretentious aesthetic that contrasts with the high-energy colors of previous years.
JJ Acuña initially described the color as a “weird” pick, noting that it felt like a state of “in-betweenness” that avoids taking a clear optimistic or pessimistic stance. He expressed reservations that such a receding hue might not provide the energy needed to uplift the world during turbulent times, though he acknowledges its immense versatility in design.
Because Mocha Mousse is deeply rooted in natural elements like earth and sand, it perfectly complements styles that celebrate raw materials and simplicity. Acuña recommends it for Wabi-Sabi, Scandinavian, Rustic, Bohemian, and Coastal interiors, where it can highlight the beauty of natural textures.
The most effective way to use it as a base is through large-scale materials like wood, fabric, and specific metals. Acuña advises using bronze for a monochromatic look, as it shares the color’s tonal depth, while cautioning against brass or copper, which may compete with or clash against the specific brown undertones of Mocha Mousse.
For striking contrast, Acuña recommends pairing it with black, while cherry reds, creams, and hunter greens serve as excellent complementary accents. Texture-wise, applying the color via patinated finishes like lime wash or plaster adds dimension and authenticity, preventing the shade from looking flat or dull.
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