Marsala: Pantone's 2015 Color of the Year

Pantone has announced Marsala as the 2015 Color of the Year! Pantone has been inspiring the world as the standard for color communication and inspiration since 1963. Every year, their Color of the Year is highly anticipated, with Radiant Orchid reigning supreme in 2014! 

We've created this fun infographic to show the chosen colors since Pantone began this tradition in 2000. Many of these shades helped to inspire our color palette, and we've listed some of these colors at the bottom of the chart. Which Color of the Year is your favorite?

Pantone describes Marsala as a "naturally robust and earthy wine red."  Marsala has been met with a wide range of responses (both adoration, and criticism) as it comes across as earthy and muted compared to the vibrant, more optimistic shades in years past. We think that the shift to a more muted tone was bold and refreshing.

Inspired by Marsala, we're so pleased to share that our newest color offering is "Cranberry Marsala". Our Cranberry Marsala is a little bit less chalky than Pantone's Marsala, with raspberry undertones. We think it's so lovely with Champagne Pink, Tangerine, or Platinum Grey! 

Above, we've created a mood board with csme of our favorite color pairings for Marsala (above). 

Enjoy!

Wedding Inspiration: 10 Radiant Orchid Ideas

Everywhere you look, Pantone's color of the year for 2014 can be found! Radiant Orchid is a stunning pinkish purple that pairs beautifully with gold (also a big color this season) and champagne pink. We've scoured Pinterest to bring together some our favorite purple wedding ideas or for your bridal shower or big day! 

Pantone describes Radiant Orchid as an "expressive, creative and embracing purple"... that "emanates great joy, love and health." We couldn't agree more, which is why we find this shade of orchid the perfect purple wedding color!

Here is some inspiration in the form of ten "must-haves" for a Radiant Orchid wedding or bridal shower this spring: 

1. Kick the party off with gorgeous berry-infused cocktails. 

2. Set the scene with this tassel garland for a perfect sweet table or photo booth backdrop!

3. Don't be afraid to bring your palette inspiration into your cake! 

We're swooning over this gorgeous ombré cake in our stunning purple orchid color by cake artist Maggie Austin.

4. The little details matter! Tie off favor boxes with a coordinating orchid or purple bow, and top them with in-season or artificial flowers for a sweet finishing touch!

5. Dress to impress! These stunning gowns are just a few of the many available dresses for bridesmaids or guests of honor. We love the Catherine Deane dress on the left ($1,298), but the more affordable Nordstrom gown ($145) is lovely, and would be much more considerate of your bridesmaids' pocketbooks. ;-) 

6. Don't be afraid to add texture and variety with flowers in various shades of pink. We think that pairing them with succulents adds a fun twist!

7. Set the table for a party! An orchid-dipped ombré table covering is a gorgeous way to draw attention to the head table or a sweet table, and a single bloom at each place setting could be a more affordable alternative to an elaborate floral centerpiece. Paper straw flags also add a bit of whimsy.

8. Purple wedding inspiration doesn't just apply to your big day! Your bridal shower and can be perfectly coordinated with our Radiant Orchid wedding collection of paper goods. Don't forget the printable decorations for all the little picture-perfect details.

9. Give a gift that says, "I love hue!" Essie's nail polish, "The Girls Are Out" would be a cute bridal shower favor! As for the Kate Spade Carousel Bangle... well, one can dream!

10. Last but not least, go for the gold! Mix in some gold metallic for a luxe twist on your Radiant Orchid wedding theme. You can't go wrong!

1. Berry-infused cocktails by Paul Rich Studio

2. Ombré radiant orchid cake by cake artist Maggie Austin

3. Tassel garland by StudioMucci on Etsy

4. Favor boxes by SweetPP on Etsy

5. Dresses by Catherine Deane (left) and Nordstrom (right)

6. Succulent bouquet by Sophisticated Floral

7. Placesetting bloom by Style Unveiled; Wedding Wishes cards by Intimate Weddings;

Chevron pattern paper straws by The Pretty Party Shoppe on Etsy

8. Bridal shower games by Inklings Paperie

9. Nailpolish by Essie; Kate Spade Carousel Bangle

Ice Cream Scoup photo by Stylesight

Cupcakes by Culinary Covers.

10. Table place settings by My True Blue

Pantone's 2012 Color of the Year = A perfect fall wedding

Pantone has just released their Fall 2012 Fashion Color report, and we were excited to see a number of colors that are shared by our Inklings palette make an appearance on the top colors for the season! I will disclaim this entry by saying that we're not suggesting any affiliation to Pantone in any way... we are just inspired by their colors, and are excited when we see that our products are on trend.

Here's what's going to be hot in weddings and fashion this fall, according to Pantone:

http://www.pantone.com/pages/fcr.aspx?pg=20948&ca=4#

Like Pantone's Pink Flambé? (Pantone 18-2133)
Try our Fuchsia Bachelorette Scratch-offs!

Like Pantone's Honey Gold? (Pantone 15-1142)
Then you'll love our bridal scratch-offs in Honey Yellow (coming soon!)

Like Pantone's Tangerine Tango? (Pantone 17-1463)
Then you'll love our bridal scratch-offs in Tangerine!

Like Pantone's Ultramarine Green? (Pantone 18-5388)
Then you'll love our bridal scratch-offs in Jeweler Blue!*
*This shade is a bit lighter and brighter than Ultramarine Green

Like Pantone's Titanium? (Pantone 17-4014)
Then you'll love our bridal scratch-offs in Platinum Grey!

Like Pantone's Rhapsody? (Pantone 16-3817)
Then you'll love our bridal scratch-offs in Rich Purple!*
*This shade is richer and deeper than Rhapsody, but is a great compliment.

Like Pantone's Rose Smoke? (Pantone 16-3817)
Then try our bridal scratch-offs in Blush Pink or these sweet baby stork scratch-offs in blush pink.
*Our blush pink is a bit more pure and not quite as "smoky" as Rose Smoke.

And while we're talking color, below are some of our favorite combinations from our bridal collection. The great thing about these designs is that they are all coordinated, so you can mix and match to create a palette that's a perfect expression of your style.

My favorite these days? It's a toss-up between Yellow + Platinum  and Tangerine + Platinum.

What about you? Whats your favorite color pairing?

    

        

Tangerine Tango: 2012 color of the year!

One of our favorite colors has just been announced as Pantone's 2012 color of the year! Tangerine Tango is energizing, yet sophisticated... the perfect marriage of orange and red.

“Sophisticated but at the same time dramatic and seductive, Tangerine Tango is an orange with a lot of depth to it,” says Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. Pantone is the world-renowned authority on color and color standards, from fashion and home to print and web. To see Pantone's official announcement, click here.

If you're looking for color pairings for Tangerine Tango, we love a pale blue-green (as shown below).

Above photo from Lonnymag.

Cream is also a great neutral to pair with it:

Above photo montage by the Washingtonian.


Enjoy your tangerine!

a Pantone thanksgiving

I have a confession. I've discovered another love. It's called Pinterest. And all the time that I could have spent writing posts on this blog, I have instead been ogling over awesome DIY ideas, gorgeous design inspiration, and pinning all kinds of great things on my boards. If you haven't heard of Pinterest, it's a virtual pinboard and community where you can find all sorts of great ideas and inspiration. And if you HAVE heard of it, what are you doing here, silly?

Kidding. But thanks for stopping in nevertheless. Peruse the archives, check out my Pinterest page, and do visit back. I'll try not to wait another three months to post. Gulp.

And in anticipation of Thanksgiving, I want to share these fabulous Pantone-inspired placecards by Annemarie Buckley of the blog Frolic! Click here for the how-to on these awesome little paper goodies. I love the rusty fall colors and watercolor variations. Most of my family would probably look a them and remark on what nice, plain cards they are. So you may only go to the effort if you are inviting a slew of designers over to eat.

And if you're a Pantone fan, check out these great DIY Pantone magnets or Pantone cookies.

Have a colorful fall, and a fabulous Thanksgiving!

Warmly,

pantone cookies!

I wish I could say that I baked these, but alas I cannot. Kudos to Kim Neill on this genius gift that she gave to her clients; brightly colored cookies in a coordinating Pantone 196 C Tin! She even provides directions and a recipe so you can make them yourself.

The Pantone Matching System sets standards for color-matching in the printing industry. It's not only an essential tool for any designer who is serious about what they do, but it's become an icon in the industry as well. Oh, how we love our Pantone chips! I've shared a few of my favorites below.

Have a colorful day!