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

  

    

 

Happy New Year

Happy 2014 and wow what a cold welcome!  Just got back from a fantastic week in Cabo to these extreme cold temperatures.  Not liking this.  Think I will go back to the warm climate.  What a wonderful time I had and what a fantastic resort - the Royal DeCameron in Cabo.  The food was amazing, the climate hot but not humid which made it nice for walking, the treatment at the resort plus, plus.  I will mention more and add some pics in a future post.

THIS  VS THIS  .....
 







Keep Warm!

Bathroom & Kitchen Galleries PLUS Fab Electric Fireplaces

During the very busy time just before Christmas our GTA West Chapter had a fantastic time at our last meeting of 2013.  Thanks to Alina Butromeleva's (Showroom Manager, Vaughan) along with Patrick Pienkosz and several other staff,we were welcomed by our new affiliate Bathroom & Kitchen Galleries (our new affiliate member) www.bathroomgalleries.com into their fabulous showroom in Burlington.  They have several throughout the GTA.  

This event was a two part - the first being a very enlightening presentation by another of our wonderful affiliates - Jeanne Grier from Stylish Fireplaces by Huntington Lodge. http://stylishfireplaces.ca  Jeanne offered many building, renovating and decorating tips with Electric Fireplaces. They have come a long way from the old days and are very Eco and cost effective which is very important,  not to mention they look great and offer styles from traditional to very contemporary. The electric fireplace of today is so realistic and can be moved to work in any area of the home.  Below are some pictures of both contemporary and traditional style electric fireplaces available.

 

The second part of our evening was geared to the gorgeous Bathroom & Kitchen products available and carried by B & K Galleries.  The showroom tour brought about many oohs and ahhhs from the decorators.

To top this off we were treated to a wonderful array of refreshments and incredible prizes.  Every decorator was given a bottle of wine to take home to celebrate the season.

Thanks so much to all at K & B.