An Orchid Year

I've never grown orchids. While gorgeous, and enjoyable in bouquets, they have always seemed a fussy flower to me. 

According to the press release, the 2014 color of the year is,  "An enchanting harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones, Radiant Orchid inspires confidence and emanates great joy, love and health. It is a captivating purple, one that draws you in with its beguiling charm.” (Read full release here)

And yet in all of 2014 I never warmed to "Radiant Orchid". Perhaps it's my climate - in places like Florida, orchids easily grow in trees. I'd expected to like this Pantone choice more - after all one of my favorite flavors comes from an orchid (vanilla) and I do love my food! Plus, it's an old flower "family" and quite diverse. (Old flower lines always offer unexpected options.) But yet, NO. Radiant Orchid was a no from the get-go for me. 

The 2015 color of the year, as defined by Pantone, was just announced. Marsala. (I'm a touch confused as I thought that was a chicken dish.) In the best incarnation I've seen, the color is wine. In the worst, it is a dull, brick red like dried blood.

The Pantone site says, "Much like the fortified wine that gives Marsala its name, this tasteful hue embodies the satisfying richness of a fulfilling meal while its grounding red-brown roots emanate a sophisticated, natural earthiness."

I think it's a somber color. (Especially after the glorious depth of color of the last few years.) Safe. Stable. Boring.

Take-away - Life is always less what's others say and more what you make it. And I'm about done being boring, how about you?

Other color posts of potential interest:

• Emerald - 2013
• Orange (okay, Tangerine Tango - 2012)