The new year is a time of new beginnings – and new colours, as highlighted by the announcement of Pantone’s Colour of the Year. This year, Radiant Orchid, “an enchanting harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones”, has taken the top honour.
Looking at the seemingly countless colours all around us, one can’t help but ask how Pantone comes to its annual selection. According to the company, the choice is motivated by a variety of influences such as the entertainment industry, travelling art collections, new textures, nature, technology, popular travel destinations and prevailing socio-economic conditions. Evidently, Radiant Orchid best represents the current status quo.
Described by Pantone as “an invitation to innovation”, Radiant Orchid “encourages expanded creativity and originality which is increasingly valued in today’s society”. Pantone adds that Radiant Orchid “inspires confidence and emanates great joy, love and health”.
While Pantone draws its colour choice from society and its various facets, so too does society draw inspiration from the colour. Over the years, purveyors of fashion, beauty products and interior design alike have taken their cues from Pantone’s Colour of the Year. 2014 is proving no different as Tile Africa’s retail and display co-ordinator Liza Watermeyer explains.
According to Watermeyer, Radiant Orchid is particularly well-suited to the bathroom space as it creates a calming, yet happy, atmosphere. There are myriad different applications where Radiant Orchid can be used in this context: These include:
Accent walls: Radiant Orchid can be used to create an energising accent wall. By definition, an accent wall takes the form of a single wall within a room that stands out due to a bold colour palette, a daring texture, tile or design.
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Borders: Radiant Orchid can be injected into a bathroom through the use of wide or narrow tile borders. The tiles can take the form of colourful mosaics, beautiful listelli, or solid coloured tiles cut into narrow strips. Square tiles can be cut in half or thirds to create brick-like patterns and vertical borders to give the illusion of height.
Accessories: local home accessory stores stock bathroom paraphernalia such as towels, bath mats and soap dispensers in just about every shade – including purple. Best of all, such accessories are typically fairly inexpensive and can be swapped out after a year or two.
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Go organic: Radiant Orchid is in part, inspired by nature. As such, Watermeyer says that the inclusion of a purple-hued orchid or plant such as an African Violet would work well in the bathroom. Fresh sprigs of lavender or agapanthus in a vase can also create sought-after organic “pops” of purple.
Accent mosaics: Purple-hued mosaics can be used to add a burst of colour behind the basin or in the shower. Nowadays mosaics come in a variety of finishes such as shimmering glass, metal, and stone, all of which add texture and interest to a space. At present, brick-like mosaics are right on trend .
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Metro tiles: Influenced by subway-style rectangular tiles, metro tiles can also be used as accents behind basins and baths. For a dramatic effect, Watermeyer advocates purple hued metro tiles. For a more subtle look, opt for white metro tiles and add a row of purple. “Metro tiles combine a traditional look with a modern edge and their brick-like pattern is timeless,” she notes.
But homeowners need not feel obliged to adhere to Radiant Orchid as per Pantone’s definition as there are numerous variations of the colour, ranging from violet, lilac, lavender, fuchsia and amethyst to aubergine, beetroot, raspberry and magenta – all of which can uplift your bathroom and interior spaces.
Radiant Orchid also complements deep, hunter greens and is gorgeous when paired with turquoise, teal and even light yellows. It also livens up neutrals such as grey, beige and taupe. In a nutshell, Radiant Orchid is a fantastic, dynamic colour as it can liven up a space without overpowering it.