Working with Radiant Orchid, 2014 Pantone Color of the Year

If you weren’t already in the know, the new Pantone color of the year is Radiant Orchid. I see it being used in a lot of home accessories, women’s beauty and fashion and even bridal palette inspiration. Purple happens to be one of my favorite hues, I mean, hello, it’s widely associated with royalty! If that’s not a good choice indicator, I don’t know what is. 

But how do you invite this new hue into your living space without sending the man in your life fleeing from the palace? Back in our own neck of the serfdom, incorporating this color at home can be a tricky balancing act, particularly if you live with a manly man who shakes in his work boots at the mere mention of “Radiant Orchid”. So please don’t go waging a color war in your own home- there are bigger better hills to die on like a spa weekend with the girls. For reals. You have to find a happy medium, and here's how you do it...

I just finished this project for a couple who wanted to incorporate purple tones within their space and here is how to achieve the right balance. 

Grounding the space in rich browns and neutrals makes the space feel sophisticated and masculine while the purple tones work to add the right pop of color adding the just enough softness and femininity. The combination makes the space feel both glamorous and luxe.

For those of you out there bold enough to use Radiant Orchid for the walls and background of your space, by all means DO IT! This powder room I recently finished is a perfect place to go bold with these gorgeous tones. 

And for those who are more faint at heart, try a light warm neutral gray background palette to let your orchid accents shine. Pair it with a warm pale grays, crisp bold whites, and metallic silver and gold. Balance the delicate and the fem with heavy aged brass, chunky or rough textures, and structural geometrics. Add a touch of the unexpected and you've got a room fit for a king!

Here's to a New Year of love and color!

xo,

Emily (aka)

"The Design Duchess" ;)