From Royal to Ruffles: Decorating with Purple
I'm a design and food-obsessed freelance writer and market research analyst, and a stay-at-home mom.
I'm a design and food-obsessed freelance writer and market research analyst,... More »
A few years back, I went through a serious aubergine phase. Well, it was more like a "want for aubergine" phase, as my then-boyfriend (now husband) flat-out rejected all of my suggestions regarding the color.
But it left me wanting. I've accepted that I'll never live in a purple room myself, but that doesn't mean I can't look. So look I've done, and I've found these great spaces:
But it left me wanting. I've accepted that I'll never live in a purple room myself, but that doesn't mean I can't look. So look I've done, and I've found these great spaces:
Talk about regal. I love this bold use of color, but I also love the way the white furniture and accessories give the room a modern edge. It's a great marriage of traditional and current.
This is another great example of the purple-and-white combination, but this time it's just one simple accent wall that's painted. I always think of purple in the dining room or in a formal sitting area, but it's great in the kitchen, too, giving a functional area sophisticated flair.
by Ligne Roset
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And here is just one more example of the purple-and-white palette, this time in the living room. I love this bright shade of the color - it's full of youthful energy - and I think the bold color is a perfect match for the rounded lines of the furniture.
by The Rug Company
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This rug gives me hope for purple in my own house. I love the pattern, and I think this is just the right amount of purple to inject in an otherwise neutral room to keep things interesting.
Purple, more than many other colors, has a lot of different personalities. If the above shades are bold and strong, this wall, with it's near-cornflower hue, is much softer. The room - and wall - are no shrinking violets, though. This room might look more appropriate for tea than cocktails, but that would be one great cup of tea.
This room, like the room above, uses blue-purple to great advantage in a traditional living room. It's the perfect color here, really, as it gives the space a feminine air without getting prissy.
Purple is a fantastic choice for a little girl's bedroom. It's just as feminine as pink, but not quite as over-the-top. I love the way the small accents here give the whole room personality.
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| This is another great example of using purple - this time, a lighter lavender shade - with white in a girl's room. It's a perfect match for flowery accessories, but the white furniture keeps the whole room down to earth and provides a functional base for when the little girl wants to grow up. A teenager might change out these linens for a more sophisticated pattern in blues or greens and voila - a grown-up room without much work. |
Purple is a fantastic accent color in the garden, thanks to its great contrast with green. I love this wild space - it looks uncontrolled, but not unmanageable.
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I was surprised to find no photos of French country houses set amidst lavender fields on houzz, so if anyone knows any French architects or designers, encourage them to upload!
and for a flavor of Provence...
http://kimberleyseldonhome.com/blog/2008/05/14/dreaming-of-lavender-fields/
http://k53.pbase.com/o6/25/351425/1/81544450.b5fPUzBh.DSC_1067.jpg