Purple pleasures
Interior design trends often follow those of the catwalk, and this season it is all about shades of purple
Amethyst is the hot, new colour for the season in the interiors world – from a soft violet tint, light lilac and gentle lavender radiating a soft, feminine vibe, to the lushness of deep purple, creating almost black shades, reflecting mysticism and depth. Trends in interiors often follow the same direction as clothing, and this has been a major colour parading down the catwalks this year. Violet and orchid are starting to outshine and replace pink.
“Purple has a lot of influence on the palette for 2007, a lot of violet blues in both dark and paler versions,” says Christine Chow, director of membership for The Color Association of the United States. “You can mix it with browns, or metallics. It’s great in a pale, pale lilac – so boudoir.”
Chow predicts: “Indigo is the new black, giving way to deeper blues. Deeper purples and purple-tinted browns are more sophisticated and intense. Referring to the Christian Dior geisha-themed haute couture collection earlier this year she says: “A Japanese theme is reflective of sober, refined plums, purples and olive greens.”
A fusion of the stimulating richness of red and the calmness of blue, a purple mix is often associated with royalty and rich flamboyance. Derived from the mixing of a strong warm and strong cool colour, it emanates the properties of both.
Purple is uplifting, and is said to be calming to the mind and nerves, and to encourage creativity. It is associated with sexy, powerful and sophisticated personalities. Those who are attracted to this royal colour are typically eccentric, intuitive, inspirational in beauty and art, protective and creative. Teenage girls are often swayed by spiritual purple. Purple is indulgent and is the colour of luxury. Why do you think so many chocolate wrappers are purple?
In the Cyprus market, I’ve spotted sultry and seductive purple everywhere – from key pieces such as upholstered contemporary dining chairs at Bo Concept, funky textured and floral designer wallpapers at Salt & Pepper, and crockery or glassware in Zara Home to add excitement to a dressed table. Violet infusions can be used as a dominant colour with gushing, voluptuous curtains, richly-coloured furniture, or as accents to a warm and enveloping design scheme.
The onset of autumn prompts us to reach out for deeper, richer colours, which may seem heavy in the summer, but are perfect for the home once winter draws in. Purple is perfect for injecting some drama and decadence in your decor this autumn, with a palette of sultry and seductive shades.
If you love this year’s new colours, you do not need to buy an entire new set of furniture. A few accents go a long way to give your room a fresh look. Cushions, throws and vases can be replaced easily when the next hot new colour comes along.
To create a glamorous but light and contemporary bedroom, start with a backdrop of pale greyish-lilac walls. Combine with matt silver-coloured metallics such as light fittings, bedstead, picture frames and mirrors. Add layers of interest with textures such as shimmering voile over the bed or at the windows, crushed velvet on the bed and/or fake fur. Combine with the simplicity of tactile, pure white cotton. This scheme will be sophisticated and luxurious, but inviting.
Purple has proven staying power and is not just a passing trend, says Leslie J Harrington, principal of LH Color, of Old Greenwich, Connecticut. “It’s a usable colour that has served us well and is hard to let go.” She also predicts deeper colours evolving like rich orchid and blue-purple.
Extensive research has shown that the most powerful colour trends are more subdued shades, evoking images of a walk in the countryside and the more gentle colours of nature. It is all about the environment, which is driven by a number of influences. The growing concern about global warming, and freak weather conditions including tsunamis have influenced the colours chosen by many of us today. The trend is to bring the colours of the outdoors into our homes. If you want to bring nature’s delights into your room use the palest of greens or lilacs on the walls, add bluebell mauves and contrast these with accents of grass green. Keep the overall look light and airy. You will find that the green sharpens the sweetness of lilac.
Our reaction to colour is almost instantaneous, and varies between different cultures, but has a profound impact on the choices we make every day.
Three Steps to Going Perfectly Purple
? Paint walls in purple tones: the Dulux Colour Scheming System can match almost any shade you desire. Do use purple to turn a sleeping or living area into a sophisticated, feel-good, luxurious pleasure zone. Don’t be afraid to combine different shades – from soft lilac and powdery mauve to the deeper, more intense plum, aubergine, mulberry, damson and blackcurrant; these delicious shades look amazing when layered together.
? Embrace the trend for oversized printed wallpaper on one feature wall. See Salt & Pepper’s selection of designer wallpapers, with floral, textured, geometric or botanical prints.
? Embellish your purple palace by adding accents, both colourful and textural, with contrasting cushions, artwork, and other accessories such as amethyst or mulberry-coloured glassware. Try Zara Home glassware, M&S silk cushions, Zara cushion with metal button detail, IKEA bedding and artwork, Dimco’s metal and deep purple droplets chandelier.
Where to find it
Mulberry coloured corner sofa by Salt & Pepper, 48 Griva Digeni Street, Nicosia, Tel: 22 661717
Contemporary floral designer wallpaper by Eijffinger at Salt & Pepper
Wallpaper insert (Pearl textured wallpaper by Ulf Moritz at Salt & Pepper)
Amethyst coloured glassware by Zara Home
Cushion with metal buttons detail by Zara Home
Plum coloured bedding and contemporary purple-inspired artwork by IKEA
Embossed shiny metal light fitting with deep purple glass droplets by Dimco
Glamorous chiffon appliqu?d onto pure silk lilac cushion by Marks & Spencer Home
