Photo courtesy of Pantone.com
Congratulations to “Radiant Orchid.” From a field of millions, she’s been chosen by Pantone to be the 2014 color of the year.
You’ll soon see this color popping up in clothing, makeup, toys, fabrics … even websites. To my untrained eye, my 2013 / 2014 website color theme even uses shades of this color.
And don’t be surprised if you see it in a few fundraising auction themes, either.
(For dozens of ideas and photos easily organized to help you with auction themes, centerpieces, and decor, check out this resource. It’s a big time-saver and a nice resource for decor chairs … a bit like what Pinterest could be, if Pinterest were well-structured. 🙂 )
This tablecloth is in the trendy color genre.
It’s not an exact match, but these battery-operated lights emit a closely-related hue.
Where could you use this color? Here are some of the usual suspects when it comes to gala auctions:
- Lighting
- Invitations
- Accent colors
- Auction centerpieces perhaps using — DUH! — an orchid.
- Gift bags
- Metallic bead necklaces
- Tableclothes
- Napkins
The photos on this page are my attempt to find a few “Radiant Orchid” auctions that fall into the correct color scheme. Use it for your inspiration.
If you find the subject of color intriguing, you might also enjoy these other articles.
This casual-styled gala for a hospital vibes in “Radiant Orchid.”
2013 blog post: Making other colors green with envy, Emerald is chosen as 2013′s official color
- 2011 blog post: Hello Honeysuckle! 2011′s official color packs punch in benefit auction themes
- Pantone’s press release on the 2014 color: Pantone Reveals Color of the Year for 2014
PANTONE 18-3224 Radiant Orchid
Sharon Tracy says
January 9, 2014 at 10:14 AMSherry,
My auction is for golfers. It has been very difficult over the past 8 years trying to interest them with auction items, though we do okay. Many come as guests of their bosses and don’t see that they too are expected to participate in the fundraising activities. We’ve tried putting in a bunch of lower priced items and that has helped a little. Last year we tried a ticket auction along with our live and silent auctions. I think we got more activity with that than the other two combined. And mostly the women present participated in the ticket auction. This all is being said to ask if given our circumstances, a color theme is likely to make a difference. While the lovely orchid color is nice, we would have to supply the tablecloths, napkins and any other colored decorations. I would wonder if the cost of all that would make enough of a participation difference to make the effort and cost worthwhile. Your thoughts?
Sherry Truhlar says
January 9, 2014 at 10:53 AMGood question, Sharon! For a golf auction, I just wouldn’t bother. Let me couch this in another way …
Sometimes people hire me as their auctioneer because they want to raise more money.
Sometimes they hire me because they want to have a more professional, elegant event.
Sometimes they hire me because they want their event to be different than everyone else’s gala in town (a competitive advantage).
Sometimes they hire me because I’m less expensive than another auctioneer.
Sometimes they hire me because their friends saw me at a different gala and thought I was hilarious.
There are many, many reasons someone will hire me. It’s not always about money.
You might want to use a color at your event to make it LOOK NICER… or to give it a more POLISHED FEEL… or to KEEP UP WITH THE COMPETITION (other golf tournaments in the area that present better) … etc. But if you’re thinking it will raise you more money, it won’t. So if your goal is to raise money, the answer is “no.” If the goal is to “maintain an edge,” the answer might be “use it.”
eric huizer says
January 22, 2014 at 9:41 AMThank you for this very interesting article about colours and themes..
You have a inspiring way or writing which i like very much.
I am of writing some more on my blog…. maybe you will find it interesting, let me know what you think…
Gr eric huizer
Sherry Truhlar says
January 22, 2014 at 10:01 AMYou’re working in a different area of the auction industry than I, Eric. Good luck!