A lot of work goes in to selecting it based on trends that the color marketing group sees and on political and social events. This year the color is radiant orchid, a soft purple with some pink undertones. We are coming out of the color green, which represents healing and prosperity. The color Purple is also a healing color. While green was more psychologically healing, purple is associated with spiritual healing. It is a color of femininity, especially with the undertones of pink. And it’s a color of power—of royalty. In this soft shade it really is embracing its feminine side and the power of love and intuition. It’s a color of creativity, sparking new ideas and originality which we are seeing take an increased importance in society and business. It’s a “happy” color, inspiring joy, love and light. It is also a color of new beginnings. Green is the color of change, so it stands to reason that there would be a lot of beginnings this year as a result of the green influence last year.
Many people love purple but are unsure how to use it in their homes. Radiant orchid is bright and light and can be done in a monochromatic scheme for simplicity and elegance. If you want a more dynamic room, you can pair it with some yellow to create an energizing and dynamic environment. Or you can add other colors like turquoise, teal or hunter green for a more blended look that still has a lot of variety in it. Grey is still a dominant neutral, and radiant orchid can be a nice accent color to add a “pop” of color. It will also add some life to neutrals like beige and taupe. We are already seeing the color on the fashion runways, and I have noticed more purples used in home design recently, so you can expect to be seeing more. If you love purple, this is definitely the year to update your décor. You will have a wide variety of options from paint and fabrics to furniture and accessories, available to you.
Jacquie was a widow who had recently moved from her family home to create a new life for herself. This truly was a fresh start, a time when she was recreating herself. She had been “wife” for so long, and had to remember who she was on her own, to rediscover herself. The first words she said to me were, “I want a lavender bedroom.” It was clear how important this was to her. The color Purple inspired her, calmed her. It soothed her soul. Her bedroom before had been very masculine and filled with her husband’s favorite colors. This was her chance to embrace her feminine side and let that shine. She called this her “coming out of her cocoon period.” The color gave her the strength she needed to make a new beginning, to find her power, and to open up on many levels. As we redid her place, I watched her bloom, becoming more comfortable with her situation, more adventurous and social. She truly transformed herself into a beautiful butterfly.
Jeanette Chasworth, The COLOR Whisperer, 740 W. Olive Ave., Monrovia, (626) 485-6354 or visit www.thecolorwhisperer.com.
