Best Ways to Use Radiant Orchid | North Salem Real Estate

I must confess, I was not a huge fan of Pantone’s 2013 Color of the Year, Emerald, as I tend to prefer greens that have more yellow in them (chartreuse) or blue (turquoise). So I was pleased to see Pantone’s new Color of the Year for 2014, Radiant Orchid — mostly because it represents a complete 180-degree shift from Emerald, as the colors are opposite each other on the color wheel. Let’s take a look at this head-turning — and sometimes head-shaking — color.

Jennifer Ott Interior Design

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Wondering exactly what color Radiant Orchid is?

Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, says, “An enchanting harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones, [it] inspires confidence and emanates great joy, love and health. It is a captivating purple, one that draws you in with its beguiling charm.”

Sounds good, but I was curious to find out people’s reaction to the color.

Barbara Pintozzi

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I conducted an informal and completely unscientific poll among my friends on social media, and Radiant Orchid got mixed reviews. One of my friends commented that she likes this color for orchids, and that’s about it. Another friend finds it insipid and too similar to mauve — a color she associates with dental offices from the ’80s. Ouch!

But another friend thought the color would work well for one of her quilting projects, perhaps used with shades of gray or soft green.

A poll conducted by Houzz showed similar mixed feelings, so I decided to find examples of successful uses of the color to see if I could change some minds.

Marcus Gleysteen Architects

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Here’s a nice example of how to use Radiant Orchid in a room, via an area rug. Because it’s rather bold, the color packs a nice punch when used as an accent through furnishings and accessories.

FLOR

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House Pet Carpet Tile, Hummingbird

And not that I advocate changing out the colors in your home every year with each passing color trend, but an area rug is a smart way to use a bold color in your home; if you grow tired of the sassy hue, it’s easy to replace it.

Chris Snook

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While I would advise against painting all four walls of a room in orchid, it does make a terrific accent wall color. Pair it with plenty of neutrals, such as white, gray and tan, to let it take center stage and keep it from clashing with other bold colors.

 

 

 

 

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