A red purple, a blue purple, a slightly purple sunset, the purple of the mountains on the horizon, the purple sheen caused by intense cold: all of these examples evoke something dark and cold. But is there any other colour in decoration that is richer and more sumptuous than purple?
A mixture of blue and red, purple is the ultimate luxury colour. A room with an omnipresent purple adds splendour to a room, making it brighter. Crimson is its only rival in terms of royalty.
Have you ever seen a padded purple wall or furniture? It’s luxurious, imposing, almost royal. In a bedroom with a four-poster bed and chandeliers, any purple fabric is even better.
Combined with black, purple provides an unsuspected wealth, as long as a river of natural light can enter the room. If not, multiple recessed floodlights provide minimum lighting to avoid a dark and heavy atmosphere.
Grey enhances purple by softening it. The juxtaposition of the two colours provides an effect that you won’t get bored of quickly. Concrete grey or charcoal grey, the effect is irresistible.
Don’t be afraid to use touches of purple in an assorted decor. The result is refreshing. Here’s an idea: a purple fabric, wood or metal frame on a bright lime green wall.
Purple highlights antique furniture and rough surfaces. Lavish and venerable blend well in decoration. They complement each other quite well. Scandinavians are knowledgeable in this area, as they enjoy throwing purple, pink and red in a pile of bricks and worn out wood.
We have seen decors tinged with purple throughout our experience in decoration. Here are a few examples:
A wall that is entirely purple, including the fireplace mantel and chimney, and the ceiling. The parquet flooring was dark. However, the light from a small window on each side of the wall brightened the atmosphere. The curtains consisted of a simple veil to avoid excess light. A long clear carpet acted as a path linking the chimney to the entrance door. Two rows of fixtures on the ceiling completed the lighting effect.
In a kitchen overflowing with whiteness over a dark parquet flooring, the dining room table and island were connected by a granite surface. The sides of the island were made of purple poured concrete. Purple also showed up in the ceiling fixtures and on the white carpet in front of the kitchen sink.
Elsewhere, an immense purple carpet unfurled under a white ceiling and under a paper wall painted white and black, covered with discreet patterns. Velour curtains and green apple chairs completed the dining room decor.
During an exhibit in New York, an artist set up a partition of purple wires mixed with suspended metal rings. The partition was backlit by a bright light. The bursting effect was magical.
Seen in a kitchen: massive rustic planks of a parquet flooring with streaks of purple. Both chic and rustic, this decorator’s whim also overran a concrete wall. The rest of the room was bathed in white and grey.
For those who don’t like violet, the word’s etymology has nothing to do with the word violence. It refers to the violet, the finest of flowers.
Photos: iStock
