Purple

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Your Colors: 3 Ways to Work With Purple

Scared of purple? Think of it as plum, amethyst or eggplant, and use with the right companion colors

Jason Ball September 21, 2011

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Purple. Few colors cause such visceral reactions. Either you love purple and must surround yourself with it or you detest it. And I would say that most people, whether they like purple or not, are scared of using this color.

If done correctly, though, purple can imbue a space with much-needed color and a level of richness few other colors can achieve. It can be a good balance against brighter, warmer colors and, in the right shade, can even play the role of a neutral.

The key is to use purple in just the right tone and amount, and with other colors that play off the its natural depth. In this ideabook, we'll focus on the deeper tones of purple, such as plum, amethyst and eggplant. (By the way, did you know that purple die was originally created using the mucus of a particular sea snail? I had no idea.)

Here are 3 particular combinations that really work. Which one can you see using in your own home?

John Lum Architecture, Inc. AIA

1. Deep purple with natural wood tones. Purple adds depth and playfulness to a room with warm wood tones. In this clean and contemporary kitchen, the formality of the marble counters and backsplash contrast the softness of the wood. The plum wall surrounding the refrigerator plays between the marble and wood, keeping this whole space from getting too serious.

A color like Benjamin Moore's Kalamata AF-630 pairs perfectly with natural wood tones.

User

Deep brown wood tones are paired with soft creams and a happy version of deep purple in this cozy seating nook. When pairing purple with the deeper wood tones, consider a shade that is a little lighter and warmer.

Amoroso Design

Purple drapery carries a dark tone around this ultra-sophisticated living room, and is a beautiful accent against the stone-colored sectional and light gray walls.

The Brooklyn Studio

2. Fiery orange and cool purple. In what is otherwise a neutral room, bright splashes of purple and orange play off each other for a classically playful theme. The patterns and colors in the ottoman and area rug also play to the African masks expertly displayed on the far wall.

Harrell Design + Build

I simply love the idea of painting this wall at the end of a hallway a dark purple to make it recede even further. It feels as if it's a mile away. Throw on a flame-orange painting, and you have a real destination spot in your home.

Try Pratt & Lambert Black Plum (31-18) for a really dramatic accent wall.

Jerry Jacobs Design, Inc.

While this room is formal in structure, the color combination keeps it from taking itself too seriously. Traditionally shaped furniture is upholstered in playful purple and orange. The darker orange rug anchors the space.

Chris Snook

The purple spotted rug in the center of this orange room keeps this room on the more playful side. While combination is certainly daring, it's not out of reach for someone willing to take a risk.

Fine Art & Portraits by Laurel

3. Deep purple and silver. Back to the more elegant side of purple we go. This traditional sitting room centers around the wall treatment: a perfect combination of soft purple tones and metallic silver. The black-and-plum upholstered chair and deep purple drapery throw have enough dark tones to balance it all out and create a truly sophisticated room.

Angela Todd Studios | Portland, OR

This room by a fellow Portland designer showcases what purple can really be when paired with the right silver tones and dark wood tones. A beautiful heathered purple and silver-striped wall covering creates the drama. Throw a little splash of spring green in the mix, and this master bedroom is one sophisticated room.

Try Sherwin Williams Blackberry (SW7577) for a similar purple tone.

Amoroso Design

Even deep purple can be used to create a truly glamorous space. This Hollywood-inspired salon, complete with tufted chaise, acrylic bar and ornate moldings, is ready for its time in the spotlight. Glitz from the polished chrome accents and large standing mirror takes this room to the top.

For a deep purple that's not too serious, try Pratt & Lambert Ombre (31-20).

Do you dare to use purple? Show us your photos below!

More ways with purple:
Your Colors: Reconsider Princely Purple
Inspired by Nature: Purple and Green
Picking the Color Purple

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Comments (30)

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Thomteam

My bedroom has a deep purple accent wall and bedspread. On the bedspread, there is a taupe and brown. So instead of having the furniture be gray, I had the furniture be a dark brown with a gel stain I bought. I accent the room with gold, white and black.

Like October 27, 2013 at 7:30AM

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Maryse

This soft purple accent wall made the rest of my living room pop.

Like October 25, 2014 at 7:54AM

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dorrienelle

Purple actually resolves the tension that a room full of natural woods or orange tints can have. It's like having a cool rain blow thru on an overheated day.

Like October 26, 2014 at 11:29AM