Emerald, meet Orchid

Emerald, meet Orchid

by Kirstin Endemann Apr 8, 2014 in Homes

Pantone’s 2014 colour of the year, radiant orchid, a sort of fuchsia-cum-purple-via-powder-pink, has elicited mixed reactions from decorators who embraced the emerald of 2013

(Above, left) Designer Jason Bellaire picked “Ribbons” by Michael Black, a mixed-media painting from Koyman Galleries ($1,000). (Right) Designer Kristi Blok picked Birds leaf trail wallpaper from Seabrook Wallcoverings.

 

Hovering somewhere between pastel and rich, the hue may be a bit too feminine to be widely accepted in interiors, despite its proliferation in men’s fashion.

Whatever your initial reactions, Pantone’s colour of the year will soon invade your consciousness and in six months, you will be considering recovering the sofa in it. The good news, for those who bought into the ubiquitous emerald, is that radiant orchid is its perfect complement and, better still, it can freshen up the classic formality of last year’s colour without veering into the über-girly. And it’s just in time for spring.

sallywheatinteriors.com, photo by Laurie Perez

Kristi Blok of Kiki Interiors and Jason Bellaire of StyleHaus agree that radiant orchid is best as a gentle accent in a room with neutral staples. “Though it is great for the walls of a girl’s room because it will grow with her, it is a challenging colour in large amounts,” says Blok. “But it also brings a bit of softness.”

She suggests making judicious choices about Pantone’s colours: “Veer a little to the rose or violet, hunter or sage,” Blok says. “It will still read as a fresh combination.”

Both recommend finding a unifying piece featuring emerald and radiant orchid, be it a rug, linens or wallpaper.

Or go with colour-blocking. An emerald green sofa and radiant orchid pillows, or a bold, standalone radiant orchid armchair paired with a dark green throw would work for the adventurous decorator. But Bellaire recommends adding yellow accents, “to create a little delight in the room.”

Still stuck as to how to inject a little of the colour into your space? Buy an orchid. “Radiant orchid and emerald contrast so much, but they are complementary,” Bellaire says. “The proof is nature ­—  structure and beauty in one.”

Connect with Kirstin Endemann |Google+|@keendemann|kendemann@ottawacitizen.com

- See more at: http://www.ottawacitizenstyle.com/category/homes/emerald-meet-orchid/#sthash.7dspHb1i.dpuf

Pantone’s 2014 colour of the year, radiant orchid, a sort of fuchsia-cum-purple-via-powder-pink, has elicited mixed reactions from decorators who embraced the emerald of 2013 - See more at: http://www.ottawacitizenstyle.com/category/homes/emerald-meet-orchid/#sthash.7dspHb1i.dpuf

 

 

 

 

 

Emerald, meet Orchid

by Kirstin Endemann Apr 8, 2014 in Homes

Pantone’s 2014 colour of the year, radiant orchid, a sort of fuchsia-cum-purple-via-powder-pink, has elicited mixed reactions from decorators who embraced the emerald of 2013

(Above, left) Designer Jason Bellaire picked “Ribbons” by Michael Black, a mixed-media painting from Koyman Galleries ($1,000). (Right) Designer Kristi Blok picked Birds leaf trail wallpaper from Seabrook Wallcoverings.

Hovering somewhere between pastel and rich, the hue may be a bit too feminine to be widely accepted in interiors, despite its proliferation in men’s fashion.
Whatever your initial reactions, Pantone’s colour of the year will soon invade your consciousness and in six months, you will be considering recovering the sofa in it. The good news, for those who bought into the ubiquitous emerald, is that radiant orchid is its perfect complement and, better still, it can freshen up the classic formality of last year’s colour without veering into the über-girly. And it’s just in time for spring.

sallywheatinteriors.com, photo by Laurie Perez

Kristi Blok of Kiki Interiors and Jason Bellaire of StyleHaus agree that radiant orchid is best as a gentle accent in a room with neutral staples. “Though it is great for the walls of a girl’s room because it will grow with her, it is a challenging colour in large amounts,” says Blok. “But it also brings a bit of softness.”
She suggests making judicious choices about Pantone’s colours: “Veer a little to the rose or violet, hunter or sage,” Blok says. “It will still read as a fresh combination.”
Both recommend finding a unifying piece featuring emerald and radiant orchid, be it a rug, linens or wallpaper.
Or go with colour-blocking. An emerald green sofa and radiant orchid pillows, or a bold, standalone radiant orchid armchair paired with a dark green throw would work for the adventurous decorator. But Bellaire recommends adding yellow accents, “to create a little delight in the room.”
Still stuck as to how to inject a little of the colour into your space? Buy an orchid. “Radiant orchid and emerald contrast so much, but they are complementary,” Bellaire says. “The proof is nature ­—  structure and beauty in one.”

Connect with Kirstin Endemann |Google+|@keendemann|kendemann@ottawacitizen.com

- See more at: http://www.ottawacitizenstyle.com/category/homes/emerald-meet-orchid/#sthash.7dspHb1i.dpuf