Perfect Ways to Use Exclusive Plum, Sherwin-Williams ' Color of 2014

Described as spiritual, mystical, romantic, and dramatic, Exclusive Plum is Sherwin-Williams 2014 Color of the Year! Unlike the newly declared Pantone color of the year, Radiant Orchid, Exclusive Plum is a color that a majority of us will look at and seriously consider its applicable use in our homes. Jackie Jordan, Sherwin-Williams’ director of color marketing, describes the color beautifully: “This dusky, filtered violet is refined without being stuffy, elegant yet easy, and layered with romantic potential.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Rugs are another way to bring fun new colors into a room. This beauty would look fantastic in a bedroom or living room.

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.

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.