You can't help but love all the pretty, pretty colors of 2012. But bear in mind, there is nothing arbitrary or accidental about those colors.

The direction fashion takes is determined by many factors, including current events: what's happening all over the world, politics, economics, the general mood of the people.

Fashion is a reflection of societal changes. You can pretty much know history by looking at the fashion of the times.

Does art imitate life? It certainly does. Take a look at each decade. Each decade has a personality and something very descriptive that identifies it and separates it from the decade before or the decade after.

Can you recognize the style and color of the 20's, the 30's, the 40's, and so on? What colors were prevalent during those decades? What was happening in the lives of people that was reflected in the color of the time? What were the colors of the 60's?

The 60's represented an optimistic time in our history. Even though we lost a president to assassination, (an awful awakening), public values were healthy, as was our economy. You might say we were still innocent. There were flower children everywhere, and people passionately protested the war in Vietnam. Colors and patterns were bright and bold. There was no sign of reticence in our color preferences.

Hair, the American tribal love-rock musical, appeared on Broadway in 1968. Hair, an irreverent protest against the Vietnam War, chronicled the time in its "pull out all stops" attitude. The colors and shapes were bold. The message was bold.

What about 2012? What is the color of 2012? And how does it describe today?

Orange has been growing in popularity with designers and consumers alike. It's a playful color that was popular in the 1960's. Remember the French designer Andre Courreges? He used orange often in his collections.

Today's orange is a little different, and is named "Tangerine Tango". It was chosen by the Pantone Color Institute as the Color of the Year. Tangerine Tango, our 2012 star color is redder than the orange of the 60's, is spirited and energetic, and is intended to refuel our enthusiasm and catapult us into a better economic time. What is required to recover from this sluggish economy is boldness and verve. Our sapped energy requires the intensity of rich saturated bright color in order to rekindle that old spirit. Tangerine Tango will uplift our spirits while infusing sunshine into our life styles. You will see Tangerine Tango pop up in clothing, home furnishings accessories, and appliances. Last year's color of the year, Honeysuckle, is still strong, and there are variations of that color that are exquisite and flowery, with the color becoming even more vibrant.

2012 highlights a broad and beautiful color spectrum, that will appeal to every taste. Subtle nuances separate colors. Subtle differences make a red au current, or a particular purple a now color.

In 2012, bright colors are saturated and luminous. The new neutrals are tinged with grey. Grays are subtle, soft, cool, and clean. Charcoal is also very popular. And gray is the new beige. Green is everywhere. The cooler blue greens are popular and refreshing, and turquoise is also still dominating. Khaki is popular. Colors of the earth take center stage, as does everything that is natural, such as wood grains, feather textures, and animal skin patterns. The “brights” are often used to punctuate a neutral color setting. Many people are boldly using the brights on walls throughout the entire room, not just as an accent. The purple tones are still strong. The most popular purple has a gray cast. It's a very rich and comfortable color to live with. Yellow is being used as a neutral. However you intend to use it, yellow is an important color in 2012. The blue family is classically popular. Look for redder blues and cobalt. Also look for bubble gun pink, which was popular in the 60's. It's back as an accent, and it makes a wonderful pop of color.

We all know that Pantone is extremely influential in the direction color takes, but have you ever wondered how Pantone determines the color of the year? They find indicators in everything, the entire gamut of fashion and technology, to decide what the next big color trend will be. They watch closely to see what colors are building steam and gaining momentum.

If you are planning on painting your interiors this season, check out Benjamin Moore. BM colors are gorgeous. I have no vested interest in saying that. I just love the company, and use them myself. They make good paint.

The top Benjamin Moore colors are as follows:

1. Big Blues: Wythe Blue (gray tones), Montpelier (timeless), and Amethyst Shadow (purple)

2. Great Grays: Stardust, Sharkskin, Nimbus Gray, and Revere Pewter

3. Soft Neutrals: Ballet White, White Dove, Refined, and Pashmina (whites and neutrals)

4. Color Kick: Gypsy Love, Persimmon

5. Mother Earth (cozy and safe): Masada, Farm Fresh, Dunmore Cream, and Fresh Olive.

You may or may not like Tangerine Tango. Color is very personal. Always choose the color you love, regardless of trends. If you want to be trendy, but don't want to devote an entire room to a trend, then add a color accent in the form of an accessory. A pillow can provide just the right pop of color, or a lacquered coffee table, or a bowl, or just one piece of furniture can transform a room. If you are feeling bold, go for it! Pick a paint color that makes a bold statement. Be sure to try a patch on your wall first though. Not suggesting that you cop out of making a bold commitment, but if you just want to spark up a room, your bedroom, for instance, choose shams, or a duvet cover in an adventurous color or print. It will do the trick without having to paint the walls.

What is THE color of 2012? While THE color is the celebrated Tangerine Tango, there are still many other equally glorious colors that will be prevalent in accessories and appliances for 2012. The year provides some beautiful choices. Check them out and by all means, have fun.