DECORATING IN ULTRA VIOLET
Pantone’s colour of the year can be tough to get right,
Theatrical colour is not for the faint of heart, so it’s best used as an accent
Ultra violet communicates originality, ingenuity and visionary thinking that points us toward the future, says Pantone, the go-to barometer on colour trends, in announcing the provocative hue its colour of 2018. “We are living in a time that requires inventiveness and imagination,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. “From exploring new technologies and the greater galaxy, to artistic expression and spiritual reflection, intuitive ultra violet lights the way to what is yet to come.” The vibrant hue is certainly not for shrinking violets. The theatrical colour brings to mind rock-star royalty such as Prince, with purple being his signature colour. Ultra violet is a bold colour and could be a tricky tone to get right when using it in a room, as it could easily dominate a space. “Ultra violet is definitely not for the faint of heart,” says Ines Mazzotta, the principal designer at Kelly Hopter Interiors in Toronto. “I think it requires a much greater commitment to colour and is a hue that will drive a palette in a much more decisive way.” But how do you take a strong colour and make it work? Even if you love the hue, it often works best on statement or accent pieces that are easy to switch out. “I think if you have a neutral colour scheme, then bringing in a single statement chair in velvet in the ultra violet colour could look fabulous, if it makes sense with the rest of the decor. I don’t think I would upholster a sofa in this colour, as you would probably tire of it quickly. “And, of course, you could always toss in a cushion or two in this hue to liven things up,” says Milton-based interior decorator Vanessa Francis. There are also softer, paler purples that are modern and a good choice for invoking tranquility. Try lavender or lilac for a muted, more sophisticated version of ultra violet. “I definitely think that lighter shades of this hue like lilac and lavender are more livable,” Francis says. “Lavender could be a wall colour in a nursery, bedroom or powder room and if it is on the pale side, it could almost act as a neutral.” Whether you prefer a pop of colour or a fully painted wall, we’ve pulled together eight finds to help you work ultra violet into your decor.