It's happened!  The new colour for 2015 has been announced.  EVERY year since 1990, the Pantone Colour Institute has nominated a Colour of the Year, forecasting which specific hue designers and consumers will all supposedly be using, wearing, and buying for the following 12 months. Last week, Pantone announced that the 2015 Colour of the Year is Marsala.

In a company press release, Pantone described the colour as “a naturally robust and earthy wine red.” While last year’s Colour of the Year, Radiant Orchid, “encouraged creativity and innovation, Marsala enriches our mind, body and soul, exuding confidence and stability,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Colour Institute.

A rich colour, it's red-brown roots emanate a sophisticated, natural earthiness. This hearty, yet stylish tone is universally appealing and translates easily to fashion, beauty, industrial design, home furnishings and interiors,” Pantone proclaimed.

Below are some pictures where this new colour can be found.

Retail Therapy

Spring came and went and somehow I missed it.  It seemed to be summer popped in for a very minimal time and it seemed to be raining way too much for my taste, and poof, it was gone as well and we headed into fall and now winter.   With all the business of the fall preparing for holidays we shop but we do not always treat it as a fun and enjoyable process when we have so much to do.  We are so busy we have so much to take care of that we tend to be happy to have it completed.  Well, now that we are heading into the Holiday season it is a great time to get a little 'retail therapy.'

I love to shop and all decorators and designers are very much into this pasttime.  This is where work can also be fun!  We call it 'sourcing' when looking for items for clients but when it is just for ourselves, it is really just good old fashioned shopping.
The old saying that the shoemakers children have no shoes tends to hold up with designers and decorators in that we are so busy working on clients projects and attending many showroom events to see the latest and greatest out there, we don't seem to have time for our own abodes.  Well now is a great time to take a little time and as Nike says DO IT! 

I really am in need of a little 'retail therapy' for myself and decided to check out some great spots, just to name a few and get your home ready for upcoming entertaining.

Bouclair
Pottery Barn
EQ 3
Structube
Crate & Barrel
Urban Barn
Cocoon
Wicker Emporium

Most are already dressed up for the Christmas season and can really put you in the mood. Watch for a future post dedicated to the wonderful displays at Sheridan Nurseries

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.....

I have been checking out just a few of my favourite shopping spots and and they are all decked out in their finest for the upcoming holidays...

Sheridan Nurseries

 Pottery Barn

 Homesense

 Wicker Emporium

 Urban Barn

Bouclair

 Interior Design House

Bowring

 Watch for a future post dedicated to the wonderful displays at Sheridan Nurseries

Back in the fall after the highpoint market I listed the trends seen this year and have been selecting some to highlight.  Lacquered Furniture was very popular as well as bright colours.  This treatment on traditional pieces gives an entirely new and exciting look.
Adding a bright pop of colour to a traditional piece makes it unique and exciting!
Here are a few examples of some lacquered pieces, both contemporary and antique

 

 

Pantone Colour for 2014 -

Well, it's here - another new year and another new Pantone Colour.  This year's choice is #18-3224 Radiant Orchid, a captivating, magical, enigmatic purple which brings a bright spot to the current dull days we are experiencing.  Radiant Orchid seems to be a mix of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones which gives it a nice joyful  & uplifting look.  To me it brings a feeling of spring since I think of the lovely spring flowers in that hue.  In looking back over the past few years it is quite noticeable that Pantone has been selecting bright colours as their 'Colour of the Year'.   There have been many studies on the Psychology of Colour and how it impacts our moods, feelings, behaviours and the image it tends to portray.  There is also historical significance in colour.  When you actually think of it you will have a certain feeling about a colour and whether or not you like or dislike it and this could be from a past situation etc.  I always think spring when I see colours like Radiant Orchid, Violets, Mauve's, Pinks, etc.

Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®.  says “Radiant Orchid encourages expanded creativity and originality, which is increasingly valued in today’s society.” It also inspires confidence and joy.  

Being in the Purple family, this lively colour relates to imagination & good judgment and has an uplifting spirit. It is the color of people seeking spiritual fulfillment. It is said if you surround yourself with purple you will have peace of mind. Purple is a good color to use in meditation.  It has been used to symbolize magic and mystery and historically was the colour used by Royalty.  It is a combination of Red and Blue, warm and cool so many think of it as an ideal colour

We will be seeing this hue in Fashion, Beauty products, Interior Decor and many other places this year.  

Wearing and using this colour will enhance the skin and create a healthy fresh look.

When looking to home decor we can see how this colour can be used in many ways, including accent pieces and accessories which will liven up and offset all the neutrals we have seen over the past decade which is a great way to add colour and re energizes almost any color palette by providing a unifying element for diverse spaces. 

Just writing this post has given me a happy feeling by thinking about spring and sun, warmth and good days ahead and a few minutes where I forgot the cold and snow we are dealing with today.

      
A few rooms in this pretty colour

 
Spots where it is used as an accent

       A dramatic Dining Room

Accessories

   

Dishware

 Jewellery

  

 

    

 Clothing