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5 ways to incorporate Radiant Orchid in your office

Katy B. Olson | January 9, 2014

Call the news what you will, “expressive, creative and embracing,” or simply a purple patch: Pantone’s official color of 2014 is Radiant Orchid, a vivid hue inspired by the unusual flower. Pantone has been selecting colors of the year since 2000 (that year’s hue: Cerulean), influencing fashion and design with each annual choice.

“A lot of people have bought the grays and the blacks and neutrals largely because of the economy and wanting to play it safe,” Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, explained to the Chicago Sun-Times. “Now? They want to pep it up a little bit. It’s a very complex color. Not only is it a color that speaks to innovation and has a magical quality to it, it also looks good when you put it on.”

Learn more about how this year’s color was chosen online here, and incorporate this year’s hue into your office decor by considering a few of our design suggestions:

1. Events: Planning a high-end gala, fundraiser, or office-wide soiree? Infuse Radiant Orchid into the decor with tablecloths and napkins, table lamps, curtains and accent fabrics, and, of course, orchid floral centerpieces that highlight the color. Try balancing Radiant Orchid’s warmth with cool metallic accents for a multidimensional contrast. Browse Pinterest for further purple-themed party-planning ideas. (One savvy spot to start: Xpert Expo’s orchid-dedicated page.)

From Pantone.

2. Throw rugs: Throw rugs add a contained burst of color without overwhelming a given space. Try these options: A muted purple, flower-themed Surya Aimee Wilder Rug is available in a selection of sizes, and its design adds office-approved whimsy to even less forward-thinking waiting rooms and conference spaces. For more conservative offices, opt for a deeper purple rug with a smart geometric print in an orchid-esque hue, such as this Prune Purple Rug.

3. Decorative touches: Rejuvenate your desk with supplies and decorations in the official Radiant Orchid color, including a flash drive and an iPhone case. Or choose stationery sets with an array of colors that’ll carry your office through the winter doldrums. An embellishing lamp, such as this one from Lamps Plus, delivers a punch of color that can brighten up a space’s existing scheme without requiring too much thought.

4. Accent wall: Refresh a tired wall in the communal kitchen, or spruce up the office’s waiting room with an accent wall painted in a bright purple inspired by this year’s hue. Just be sure to pick the perfect wall first. As news site SFGate notes, “Accent walls work best when there seems to be a logical reason why a particular wall invites special treatment, compared with other walls in the room.” Source Pantone paints online here.

From Zazzle.

5. Furniture: True purple lovers might take the plunge with a wash of color: Consider replacing your personal office seating with a brighter option, such as this eye-catching loveseat (likely most at home in creative types’ offices, shared spaces, and conference rooms). If a major change isn’t in your budget, inexpensive pillows, such as these, and brightly hued throws, like this textured option, add a dose of playfulness without breaking the bank — or offending any anti-orchid coworkers.