Purple: 2014 Color of the Year

Ideas for Decorating Your Home with Purple

Purple is a majestic hue, the color of royalty. Being my favorite color, I am in love with the chosen 2014 Colors of the Year from Sherwin-Williams and Pantone.

"Pantone, one of the world's foremost color authorities, just announced its 2014 Color of the Year today: Radiant Orchid, what Pantone calls a "captivating, magical, enigmatic purple."...That echoes Sherwin-Williams' recent choice for Color of the Year 2014: Exclusive Plum. The paint company's director of color marketing, Jackie Jordan, told Yahoo Homes that she chose Exclusive Plum for its "mystical" and "experimental" qualities." (read the full article at Yahoo! Homes)

Are you looking for some fun, sophisticated ways to add pops of purple to your home in the coming year? Consider these great ideas.

For the Bathroom

A purple and gray shower curtain will make a sophisticated addition to the bathroom. Complement this color scheme with a purple bath mat, white towels, and gray painted walls.

For the Bedroom

A purple lampshade will provide the perfect pop of color next to the bed. You can pair this sophisticated hue with neutrals, such as gray or beige, or with a rich earthy tone, like olive green.

For the Kitchen

A purple stand mixer is a fun accent piece in any home. It would work well with either a cool or warm kitchen color scheme.

How do you plan to incorporate the 2014 Color of the Year into your interior decor? Whether you choose to decorate your home with lots of purple or just a few accent pieces, it is sure to be a hit in the coming year!

**Disclosure: Although this post contains affiliate links, all opinions are my own.

Banish the Winter Blues with Natural Light

Improving your home to improve your mood

It's that time of year again: Are you starting to feel sad as the long winter sets in? SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) is a common occurrence during the winter season, even for those of us who are normally happy.

By letting in the natural light - or, as much as you can get during the shorter days - you might begin to feel happier. At least, you might feel less sad. To let in more natural light:

• Take advantage of south-facing windows by opening curtains to let in natural light while you are home.
• Hang sheer curtains to let in more natural light, while maintaining some of your privacy.
• Install skylights and sun tunnels to bring light into the home through the ceiling. Plus, you will save money on electricity and heating costs.

These are just a few of the ways you can banish the winter blues with natural light. Read this article on ways to bring natural light into the home for more ideas.

Copyright: Muffet / http://www.flickr.com/photos/calliope/

Other ways to banish the winter blues with home improvement:

• Rearrange furniture for a fresh perspective in your home.
• Buy something new, even if it is inexpensive: artwork, a vase, flowers, a rug, or even a candle. 
• Add a splash of color to the living area, from a vibrant set of curtains to a new wall paint color.

What do you do to lift your spirits in the dead of winter, when SAD begins to set in?