Knowledge is Strength: Pantone's Color of the Year 2014, Radiant Orchid

It seems Pantone, the world-renowned authority on color, has surprised many in the industry with the selection of Radiant Orchid, 18-3224 as the upcoming Color of the Year. The PANTONE® name is known worldwide as the standard language for color communication from designer to manufacturer to retailer to customer. Need a color to match exactly from one end of the globe to the other? Pick a Pantone color!

Last year's color Emerald served as a symbol of growth, renewal and prosperity. This year's color Radiant Orchid is an invitation to innovation, expanded creativity and originality. Cheers to that!

Radiant Orchid is quite a unique color. At first I thought "Wow, where would I use that"? Perhaps a powder room, child or teen's room, as a small accent color...which surprises me because the last thing I ever want to feel is limited by color. I like to believe I can use color anywhere, at any time, depending on adjacent colors, what proportions have been used, and the values (lightness and darkness) or chroma (intensity of a color) used. So I started doing a little research and looking around for inspiration. Best thing to do whenever a road block starts creeping in!

I ran across this lovely view of famous designer Kelly Wearstler's office on Instagram today. Lo and behold, I see Radiant Orchid!

Gorgeous artwork! Pinterest/Jeannie Mills – Aboriginal Art Centre – Anaty 1105 “Bush Potato”

And of course, nature will always give you the most exquisite color findings.
Pinterest

 Pinterest

 I love this this room, the purple and orange combo, the ethnic vibe. It's fresh yet warm at the same time. Pinterest

 Ditto with this dining room! Pinterest

A little retro mod to balance out the selections. Pinterest

 How's this for a funky barn?! Pinterest

And of course, all I had to do was look above at my blog header to see a more saturated version of Radiant Orchid in this foyer I designed. In fact, I found two other rooms where I used versions of this year's Pantone color!

Not quite as unique and unusual an application as I had initially thought. How many other areas in your life can you bring in this type of questioning and conclusion? Challenge yourself. Knowledge is strength.

Later gators, Susan 

Inviting Office Spaces

I recently read how bringing nature into your office space creates a more attractive and relaxed environment for your visitors by invoking familiar memories of their childhood days exploring nature (ok well at least MY generation!)  I am currently working on a commercial space where the company is very eco, green, earthy, multicultural and hip.  I am soooo excited about this project and I'm having so much fun creating an environment unlike the typical commercial environment.  With that said, enjoy these commercial surroundings that I think are unique solutions.

The reclaimed wood really warms up this otherwise white space.

Need a boost of energy?  Complementary colors are always your best bet!

TBWA Hakuhodo Japanese advertising company.  I've always loved bringing the outside in!

Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Slovenia -- YES, that's right...a government office!

Google Zurich -- This wasn't the only office space I saw with a slide.  Love that!

Really like all the stripes directing your eye to the middle of the room.  It draws you in.  AND the beverage cooler.  While you're waiting, help yourself to a cold one!

Vertical greens juxtaposed with horizontal reds.  Contrast and complement!

Ideapaint -- Brainstorm time!

Think Outside the Box -- Always!!

Susan

"Fetch Doggy!" magazine rack

I couldn't pass up sharing this adorable magazine rack called the Companion Rack!  If I were a doggy fan (we are cat people over here, although all animals are always welcome), I would scoop one up right away.  This would look fabulous in an office, media room, bedroom, bathroom, kids room, family room, or living room if its a casual or retro style.  Just about anywhere!  It's designed by Gavin Coyle from the UK.  On their website, it says "We aspire to create products which make strong emotional connections expressed through unpretentious forms providing a quiet, enduring presence in the home."  I love that!

Heel, Sit, Rollover...  Good Doggy!!

Susan