Here is an example that is very similar to your friend's apartment.

Here I am again, suggesting a nice soft gray. It is such a nice neutral and I LOVE it with that color of furniture. If you want to pop the alcove, go a few shades darker on the card you choose the gray from. Notice I said SOFT, so nothing scary about it at all!

Post back when the room gets painted and we will help you arrange her wonderful art collection on the walls, too.

Thanks! shades of gray was the first thing I thought of.. but she want's purples and blue

She's got the purple with her sofa and lots of the blue in the art. A good dose of white with the purple and blue might look good.

Ohhhh.........well how about a light silvery blue? I have no exact shades to suggest, though. Maybe she will have to take a cushion to the paint store and have them find a SHADE of it, but lots lighter. I just worry that it will look pink then???? I agree with the way deco is thinking and that a purple couch is enough purple....not too much, but no more on the walls. Blue can be a nice nice accent color with purple and gray.

Pittsburg Paint "Stained Glass" blue 447-6 is a deep grey blue with enough strong color to balance the sofa and set off the art.
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There is a beautiful blue from C2..it's called shade. I've used it again and again. It's soft and depending on the light or surroundings, it can go a little grey or a touch green. It's a gorgeous colour that would look great if she insists on sticking with that color for the sofa.

Remove all items from walls. Add a very large tall 4-5 ft art with colors of sofa,and grays and black. Next to TV. You do t need something on every wall.

If your friend LOVES purple, I say a shade of purple on the tv niche wall.

I would not recommend any more purple. I would go with a mid--gray range and maybe 2 shades darker. There is enough purple in the furniture. I would thin out some of the art, switch them (or paint) the frames to silver. Use white and silver as accents with a few pops of purple. Maybe a floating white shelf... make the art more collection like and not just filling the walls. On the shelf, add clear vase, with white branches or flowers taking the eye up. The alcove is the focal point, from what I can tell. Play off that... add some white and gray pillows to the furniture. I would just be careful with the purple... it is an overpowering color when abused.

If she loves purples and blues, then use both! With some tape and some time, she could take a cue from her couch cushion and do a subtle stripe on the walls to give them some depth and interest. Or, she could make big framed panels to set off her smaller framed art. She could paint the walls a soft gray blue and use her favorite shade of purple on the moulding for a younger, funkier, eclectic effect. Check out HGTV"s website for some great color ideas and especially David Bromstaad's show site, Color Splash. I know most people are screaming for neutrals, but color is fun and invigorating so don't be afraid of it. Just be sure to love it, not just like it, before you do it. Otherwise, a redo is certain to be called for in the near future.

Center Stage is right about not over-doing the purple. I was thinking a different shade, much lighter, or even a shade of teal for the tv wall. I think gray is being overdone,

To really make her Pinot sofa pop, I'd choose a really deep, murky putty/gray-green like Benjamin Moores HC108 sandy hook gray, and then do an accent wall or nook in a murky eggplant like Benjamin Moores 1252 mink violet. This room lacks drama, but has a great start. I'd also like to see the lighting addressed with some spots if possible, or, if not possible, some sexy glass lamps(look at Marshall's/home goods) that will offer pools of moody intimate lighting in the evenings. Color choices are so personal- there are no ugly colors, just unfortunate combinations! Oh, and some wooly cream fur pillows would be great- I think Target has some currently. Please post results- it's gonna be great! Best wishes, Nancy Anderson, ASID prof member