Every year for the last decade our friends at PANTONE® have launched a color of the year.

This years color – Radiant Orchid – is bragged about by PANTONE as “a captivating purple, one that draws you in with its beguiling charm.”

PANTONE’s Color of the Year has influenced product development and purchasing decisions in multiple industries, including fashion, home and industrial design, as well as product packaging and graphic design.  So naturally the team at EOE thinks of how this can apply in the world of events.  We were just as inspired, if not more, to include the color of the year into our event design and décor. Here’s an EOE take on this years color, Radiant Orchid.

Décor:

When it comes to incorporating color into any event it’s important to look at your design from three angles:

1. The experience on the ground – The most impactful thing you can do is infuse all your decor details with color, like this fabulous Jamali Buddha in our PANTONE color. Using complimentary colors along with the PANTONE color in floral arrangements can create a subtle contrast while still being true to the theme of your event.  Check out this gorgeous design using lavender, hydrangea and roses in different shades of purple.
2. The experience above you – something as simple as a hanging lantern can bring peoples attention off the dance floor to the beauty that is above them.  This year, something as simple as hanging orchids (in which the actual color draws its inspiration from) can create a dynamic mood.   You can also drape fabric or hang colored glass to create an experience wrapped in purple.
3. The experience all around you – Lighting is one of the most important, if not the most important piece of any event.  Having proper lighting can highlight special details that you’ve placed your time and budget into.  Whether it’s pin spotting or actual chandeliers, it’s important to ensure they make their way into your event.

Food and Beverage:

Incorporating color into your food and cocktails for the evening is one of the easiest and most dramatic event techniques in the book.  Check out some of our favorite purple inspired treats and cocktails here.

Dress Code:

We’ve all heard about P Diddy’s infamous White Parties.  Why not have a Purple Party?  We’ve got some gorgeous PANTONE looks here.

Get Inspired:

There are lots of fun and unconventional things that you can do with color.  Look at great, successful events like The Color Run.  Why not get a little quirky and host some color games?  Try something like this cool version of Twister with paint, or why not make things interesting and get some paint involved.  Face painting is not just for kids anymore.

For more ideas to inspire your 2014 Pantone check out our Pinterest board.

Special thanks to PANTONE for their details on the 2014 color of the year.