working with :: radiant orchid

Last week, Pantone announced "Radiant Orchid" as the 2014 Color of the Year. The company, who is the world-wide authority on color, describes this year's selection as "an enchanting harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones" that "inspires confident and emanates great joy, love and health."

This is a strong color and translates easily in the fashion and beauty industries. We're all comfortable seeing pink and purple tones in cocktail dresses and eye shadows...but how do you utilize this shade in your home? Just like any other color, I like to take inspiration from nature. Here are three directions to take:

:: from the sea ::

sea urchins
image courtesy of Steve Jurvetson

The orchid color is found in these sea urchin shells and is complemented with lighter pink, sandy tones and shades of white. Here are some Benjamin Moore colors that would be beautiful and I envision a lovely, restful sitting room with a moderately feminine feel:

Pink Raspberry is a slightly lighter shade and an excellent jumping off point. I'd pepper it throughout the room in the artwork, trims and accents.

Newborn Pink would be beautiful in luxurious silk pillows or maybe on a pair of slipper chairs.

Used on the walls, April Pink is a pale shade that has brown undertones and would read as a neutral. Underfoot, I found a great pink ikat rug that blends the pink and orchid tones and introduces a modern pattern to the space.

Phoenix Wool Dhurrie 8X10 $384 (on sale!!) :: West Elm 

I loved the curvy, inviting shape of this sofa from Crate & Barrel and the linen color is the perfect for moderating all of the other pink tones.

Pennie Sofa in Linen color $899 :: Crate & Barrel

:: from the garden ::

orchids
image courtesy of ImagesBackgrounds

Acid green is the perfect counterpoint to this rich hue and balanced with heavy doses of white, I'm inspired to create a clean, modern dining room.

Go all in and saturate the walls with Pre-dawn Sky. I might even take it a little further and have it applied in a high-gloss lacquer like finish. Definitely dramatic, but why not??

The clear, bright tone of Hibiscus hits the mark as a great contrast to the orchid. This parsons dining table is a classic design that will forever be on my list of favorite furniture. The sleek white lacquered finish works well to give the eye a rest and helps make your table setting the star.

White Lacquered Parsons Dining Table $399 :: West Elm

Speaking of table settings, I think this green china from Martha Stewart for Wedgewood is a great accent and adds a little traditional design to this otherwise modern space.

Martha Stewart Moss Garland :: Martha Stewart Weddings

:: from the sky ::

stunning sunset
image courtesy of FineArt America

Breathtaking sunset like these with their saturated color combinations are often a source of inspiration. I'm taking this color story into the bedroom and using the orchid as an accent instead of the main event.

I love a restful color in a bedroom and Patriotic White provides a hint of blue that is calm and airy.

We all know how nicely rich browns, like Clinton Brown, and light blues work together, but you may not think to combine brown and fuchsia. However, the trio is really beautiful when used in the right proportions. I would use this deep brown in velvet on a settee, on the bedding and in a pattern on the drapes.

Crushed Berries is another excellent option when interpreting the "radiant orchid" trend. I would use it in fabric accents and maybe lacquer a side table to really bring out the richness. I'd love to see how you're planning to include this shade in your home...

Redesign :: Brooklyn on a Budget

One of my favorite design shows is Sabrina Soto's "The High Low Project" on HGTV. After completing the previous post where I designed the interior for a Brooklyn row house with beautiful but high end items, I challenged myself to come up with a "low" design for those on a tighter budget. Here goes:

Carmen Sofa in Toasted Pecan $799 :: Pier1

This is a comfortable sofa with a similar shape and nailhead trim like the Lee option. The "toasted pecan" upholstery lends the room a nice warmth.

Sedgewick Leather Recliner $1299 :: West Elm

This is an example that the expensive option isn't always best one. I found this leather chair from West Elm. It's a great substitute for the Lee leather club chair, but I think its a better choice because it reclines!

Melba Chair in Dansbo Dark Gray $249 :: Ikea

This was actually the chair that inspired this challenge. Leave it to Ikea to produce high design for so little money. Although it doesn't have the bronze legs, it does have a nice heathered charcoal gray upholstery and is a dead ringer for the Goodland chair -- and exactly $3K less per chair!! I really loved the warmth of the bronze metal, so I'd probably spray these legs out with Rustoleum Designer Metallic Spray in Aged Brass.

Bessarabian Kilim Rug $1200 :: Bradfords Rug Gallery

 The rug is where you could definitely shop around (either online or at your local rug stores) and save quite a bit. This kilim is a great option and brings in the rich colors I chose for the original design. It is quite a bit smaller than the original choice and its not an antique hand-knotted wool... but it could still work nicely and kilims are very durable for the kiddos.

Egg Chair in Orange $712.86 :: Amazon.com

While this chair isn't an authentic Jacobsen Egg chair, its a fairly good replica and the orange upholstery is a nice alternative to the Persimmon Ducale wool in the original chair. And again the savings are outstanding -- this chair is a tenth of the original.

As for the coffee table and trio of side tables, my original selections are pretty well priced so those are staying...

Milo Teak Coffee Table - Jayson Home :: $1,395

Sig Side Tables - Jayson Home :: Starting at $195 each

Twisted Metal Drum Table $129 :: Wisteria.com

 I found a nice alternative to the Platner table that I chose to place between the gray armchairs. It has a nice dark finish and mimics the general shape of the original. Plus the solid top might be a nice choice if there are children around.

Wood Stool $220 :: Shed Eclectic

Good design always inspires replicas and the Eames turned wood stools are no exception. This piece from Shed Eclectic is a beautiful interpretation and is offered at a very attractive price point.

Verona Trestle Table $549 :: World Market

There are trestle tables all over so finding a alternative to the Ethan Allen design isn't difficult. This piece from World Market is a viable option and is almost a quarter of the price -- definitely a good starter item.

Lydia Dining Chair in Pacific Velvet $319.98/pair :: World Market

While we're at World Market, we might as well pick up a pair of these dining chairs which are a pretty attractive substitute for the custom upholstered chairs from the original post. The indigo velvet is still my first choice, but this teal works nicely. What about the super fantastic Chiang Mai fabric?!? For me its a crucial element, so... I'd have a pair of small lumbar pillows sewn. There are several talented folks on Etsy that sew pillow covers in this iconic fabric.

Bowen Wishbone Chair $139 :: World Market

World Market delivers again with their interpretation of the Hans Wegner iconic wishbone chair. Their weathered finish is nice and on trend, but for this project, I would probably paint the chairs (or have a pro spray them for an even more durable finish). A soft black like Benjamin Moore's Gravel Gray (2127-30) would be a nice complement to the other elements in the room and relates nicely to the charcoal armchairs in the living room.

Satellite Chandelier $1126.25 :: Design Within Reach

This chandelier is a fabulous option and won't feel like a compromise at all. It's an iconic design on its own, but is roughly half the price of the Cosmo light.

I've gotta say...this "High/Low" challenge was fun! I may just have to make it a regular thing...