Best Ways to Use Exclusive Plum, Sherwin-Williams’ Color of 2014
As 2013 winds down, our attention is shifting to the new year and what’s in store for 2014. I always look forward to the various Color of the Year pronouncements made around this time. Last week we looked at Pantone’s selection, Radiant Orchid — a hybrid of hot pink and purple. Some of you love it, but many seem less than impressed by the perky hue. In a poll conducted by Houzz, the color is only slightly more popular than Pantone’s 2013 selection, Emerald. And almost as many of you dislike both colors as like either one of them.
But Pantone is not the only color forecaster in town. This week the spotlight turns to paint and coating manufacturer Sherwin-Williams and its selection of Exclusive Plum as Color of the Year for 2014. While Exclusive Plum and Radiant Orchid are both in the purple family, they couldn’t be more different. Radiant Orchid is a red-purple and is quite vibrant. Exclusive Plum veers more toward blue and has a good amount of black in it, which makes it darker, more grayish and very much more muted.
You can count me as a fan of this deep, cool hue. It’s elegant and dramatic, yet because the color is so toned down — very close to gray — it’s not as bold and loud as Radiant Orchid. But don’t take my word for it; check out the color for yourself. Here are some examples of Exclusive Plum used in various spaces.
According to Jackie Jordan, Sherwin-Williams’ director of color marketing, “This dusky, filtered violet is refined without being stuffy, elegant yet easy, and layered with romantic potential.”
I’m a big proponent of redefining what we consider neutral hues, and colors in this family are among my favorite new neutrals. This is a color that’s difficult to define, and it changes depending on the time of day and the quality of the light. It could read as dark gray or blue or purple, or any combination of those, at different times of the day and year.
If you like purple-gray but are wary of using a large dose of it, consider employing it as a small accent color. Just keep in mind that if this is the only strong hue in the room, the eye will be drawn to whatever is clad in it. Make sure you are calling attention to something you want to stand out.
While the previous example was decidedly modern, this space shows how a similar dusty purple can work in a room that is more traditional or transitional. The hue is superelegant paired with rich tobacco browns.
This example shows how Exclusive Plum can work as a neutral base. It pairs well with shocking greens, bold oranges, bright reds and, yes, even Radiant Orchid. Just use the vibrant hues sparingly and mix in some light neutrals — shades of white, gray or tan — to keep the space feeling light and open.
I think this color works best in bedrooms. It’s a rather heavy hue, which is good for a room in which you want to relax and rest.
To keep the hue from feeling too heavy and somber, try pairing it with plenty of warm whites or creams. A wood floor also adds warmth and contrast.
Here’s another nice example of how to work with Exclusive Plum or a similar purple-gray. It’s striking in this room against the warm gray and taupe as well as the bits of greenish gold.
Linen Cotton Duvet Cover and Shams, Amethyst If you like Exclusive Plum, but perhaps not on your bedroom walls, look for bedding in it. Cool purples are thought to reduce stress, so they are perfect for bedroom textiles.
Vera Wang Violet Collection Here’s another nice set of cool grayish-purple bed linens. This hue works well as a base color to which you can add accents of almost any other color. I can visualize splashes of blue, gold, chartreuse, pink or red added here.
Hand-Knotted Wool and Silk Purple Rug, Jan Kath Style Rugs are another way to bring fun new colors into a room. This beauty would look fantastic in a bedroom or living room.
Tell us: What do you think of Exclusive Plum? If you like it, how would you use it in your home?
