PANTONE
The colour experts at PANTONE have named RADIANT ORCHID the colour of the year for 2014, which means you will be seeing this colour in both fashion and interiors throughout the year. This striking shade is bold and bright, so you may think to yourself ‘how can I bring this into my home?’ Using this gorgeous shade is easier than you think in interiors, and can actually work really well in traditional, period properties, as well as modern homes and new builds.
Colour Combo's
Radiant orchid is a strong purple colour, which means it works brilliantly when combined with oranges and reds, as it creates an exotic, warm, Moroccan feel. This works especially well in bedrooms and living rooms. If you’re feeling brave, then try a white crisp sofa adorned with embroidered textiles in the form of throws and cushions in radiant orchid colours, with a feature wall that matches this luxurious purple shade. If you are going to try this, then make sure the rest of the room works with it, for example using bronzes and distressed metals, perhaps with lanterns or mirrors.
Country Homes
If you want to try introducing this colour into a country home, then there are plenty of ways to do this. If it’s a more contemporary rural house, then a bold floral print looks brilliant on curtains and blinds. Try picking out the accent colours in accessories such as vases or crockery. For a traditional home, stick with smaller prints that add just a touch of this colour and mix with mahogany and white. Top tip – stags, thistles and the highland theme are absolutely everywhere at the moment so if you want to be really on trend, then use a printed or embroidered fabric with these designs in the radiant orchid colour.
Dining Room
One of my favourite places to introduce this colour is in a dining room. It adds a luxurious, almost regal element that will create a focal point in your home when entertaining. This works best when choosing a velvet fabric and upholstering dining chairs that sit around a mahogany or dark wood table. A chandelier in this colour makes a fantastic feature when hung low above the table. If velvet just wouldn’t work in your home, then pick modern pieces in this colour. For an almost 50s style room, try acrylic purple dining chairs with a glass table and funky bold wallpaper to finish it off.
