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

Go Green!!

Happy Earth Day!  And in celebration of Earth Day (not to mention, it is finally feeling and looking like Spring is ACTUALLY here!)  why not add some touches of Green in your home decor ?  Emerald Green is one of the Hottest colours in 2013.

There are so many hues of green but this year Pantone has selected Emerald Green as one of the hot colours for 2013.  I love green it looks great with neutrals and I love the way it brings some of nature' s beauty inside.  It is calming but full of life, too!

A great and easy way to bring some green into your decor scheme is plants but if you don't have a green thumb...why not try these alternatives

1 - Glass vases.  Remember accessories should be in sets of three.  They do not have to match either - different shapes, heights and even tones are super stylish!  Look at garage sales of other home decor stores.  See below, these vases are from Pottery Barn and have a bit of a vintage look but Emerald green also looks great in a more contemporary style, too.





2 - Decor Pillows.  I Love green and white in any type of pattern - herringbone, lattice, stripe I just think it is so fresh and fun - perfect for spring!  I love this Ikat decor pillow from Etsy



3- Paintings.  I love how art can totally transform a space and really set the tone.  Any art piece using this gorgeous green will make a room feel calming and elegant at the same time.  This colour has so much range and so do art styles - you can lean toward a more traditional look or go bolder with a more modern style.  this piece by Jillian David is available at Art.com



4 - Bed Linens.  Add some colour to your bedroom this spring and bring in the green!  It will make your bedroom feel and look tranquil and soothing with a splash of fun! 



5 - Area rugs.  Another way to add some colour in your room is with area rugs.  You can add colour, pattern and texture with just one rug.  even if everything else in the space is neutral this is a great way to add some real colour pop.  One of my favourite on line stores for rugs is Homesav.com



6 - A chair or stool.  Some times you just need a cool and funky piece and preferably something with function, too.  this cartoon-like stool is really fun and would work very well in a family room.