Color Trends, Pantone and my Research addiction

Image - Pantone's 2014 Color of the Year - Radiant Orchid - Pantone.com

I've long been known as the "Research Queen" by my creative friends and co-workers.  I'm not sure whether it's a love of learning or a procrastination tool (to avoid beginning a new project) but I do love searching out color trends.

Pantone's 2014 Color of the Year, Radiant Orchid, was announced today and it is a lovely mix of "fushia, purple and pink undertones". They describe Radiant Orchid as a color that "inspires confidence and emanates great joy, love and health." All qualities that I need to work on in the new year.

Of course I love the picture too.  I've been a bit fascinated with orchid flowers lately and this is a lovely variety.

Do you see this as a color you would wear or use in your home decor next year?  I'd love to know what you think. Please share your thoughts in the comments section.

Be truly glad.  There is wonderful joy ahead! 1 Peter 1:6

Decisions, Decisions - Having fun selecting fabrics!

Fabric Swatches from JoAnns  - Cindy Rippe 2013

Making the decision to move my office space home was easy.  Deciding to paint the room blue and put down a new wood floor was easy for me since Lee did most of the work.  (His choice to do that - my choice of materials - Thanks Sweetie) Today I took a trip to Joann's to select a piece of fabric for simple curtains. ....Not so easy....but kind of fun!

As a person who loves a neutral background in my home, lately I've had this little voice in my head whispering, "you really do like color and pattern" and "don't you love all these bright, pretty colors?".
What the heck?!?  I live in a very tiny house and when we finally went with a neutral or monotone color schemes the rooms seemed bigger.  We've been happy with things this way for a while.

So I sit here this evening trying to decide which fabric color and print I'll choose.  The fabric on the bottom left is actually brighter with a light cream background. (camera phone pic) The one on the top left is the first one I selected. Once I brought the swatch home realized it was the old me trying to sneak back in so that one is off the list.  All of the fabrics are a bargain price so that doesn't factor in. The one thing I know for sure us that at least this is a fun choice to make.

Which one do you think I'll chose?

Searching is half the fun: life is much more manageable when thought of as a scavenger hunt as opposed to a surprise party.  Jimmy Buffett

Pantone 2013 Color of the Year - Emerald in the Garden

photo source - Pantone.com

Pantone announced their 2013 color of the year today.  I'm always counting down until the day they say what it is.  I look for color clues on the internet and at trade shows. I guess you could say I'm a little obsessed with trend colors.  I always hope for a color that's strong in nature. Something that will inspire me to paint flowers in that hue.

This one is a green that leans toward the blue family.  Very spa like and is being shown in combination with blue on many products.  I like those two colors together and have been telling myself to design something with them lately. 

The closest I've been to completing that plan is through my photos.  Enjoy!  

My profession is to always find God in nature.  Henry David Thoreau 



 NOTE: for more information about Pantone's 2013 Color of the Year - Emerald please visit Pantone.com