How to do ‘ultra-violet’ in style
Colleen Hawkes looks at how to use purple to make a dramatic statement at home.
It’s going to be a purple year, or so Pantone would have us believe. The colour company recently announced ultraviolet to be the Colour of the Year for 2018, but how will this translate to our homes?
And will Pantone’s choice actually influence what we see in the stores?
Last year, the Pantone colour was a refreshing green, and the company didn’t get it wrong. Green appeared everywhere, on furnishings, walls and even clothing, and it’s still going strong. Purple may be seem to be a little more divisive, but designers say it’s all about how you use it.
Wellington designer Libby Beattie says purple is often considered an alternative to black.
‘‘Because it is dark, you can use it as you would black, as a strong accent. Resene Nero is a favourite colour with some designers because it is a black with quite a bit of purple in it.
‘‘I would prefer to use purple as an accent, in cushions, for example, and it’s always gorgeous in velvet. It has that royal association and goes well with greens and golds. I could imagine it in the dining room or a library.’’
Auckland designer Hayley Dryland of August & Co Design recently introduced two jewel-like purple chairs to a client’s home. ‘‘We chose them because we also have a green sofa, and purple and green go so well together,’’ she says.
‘‘This was never going to be a white house – even the front door is a shade of purple. The owner is a bold, brave person who loves colour, and the purple also goes well with all the gleaming brass in the house.’’
Colour expert Debbie Abercrombie of Resene believes purple has been hiding in the sidelines and will ‘‘bust out’’. ‘‘We will also see great combinations of purple, green and yellow-orange, which is a very balanced and triadic combination,’’ she says.
‘‘The Pantone Colour of the Year could see a return to Rococo Revival styling, with bright blue ottomans, fuchsia accent pillows and indigo drapes co-existing within the same funky living room. We can even expect a fair bit of neon in the near future and rich gem-like hues.’’
Amanda Neill of Designworx loves the colour, purple, but in the right shades and tones, and not too much.
‘‘The excessive use of purple can be overpowering and the wrong tone of it communicates something cheap and nasty,’’ she says.
‘‘Violet hues are used a lot in Europe. And while we are seeing them come through in fabrics and products, it is not a shade that is commonly used here at present – perhaps because of our quality of light, and our environment having more greens and blues.’’
Neill says the Pantone colour for 2018 can be interpreted as a range of violet hues.
‘‘These can range from the soft, greyed lavenders to a deep royal purple, with shades of plum, grape, wine, lilac and aubergine in between. Most often they get described as purple, yet each of these shades and hues has its own energy, and brings about different physical and psychological responses.’’
‘‘For example, purple can be highly introvertive and encourages deep contemplation, or meditation, but large proportions of some of the deeper shades might bring about too much introspection. It is said that violet hues are healing, helping to calm, reduce blood pressure, and sedate the nervous system. Yet some of the greyed-off lavender hues may suppress the nervous system and lower blood pressure too much!’’
Neill says violet also suppresses hunger and balances the body’s metabolism, which may be good for losing those extra kilos we often gain over the holiday period.
Abercrombie suggests that while purple is a fearless colour it can inspire nervousness in home decorators. ‘‘It’s a powerful colour, even in its softer forms of mauve and lilac, so many of us are wary of using it. ‘‘But purple gives a level of richness few other colours can achieve. A true violet purple is certainly strong, but if you add some deep red, you get eggplant and mulberry colours, which are easier to deal with. If you add grey to mauve purple, you end up with soft lavender tones. The key to using purple is to get just the right tone and amount.’’
Abercrombie suggests the following combinations: ❚ Purple with aged gold tones: Rich purples, such as Resene Vortex, look great with any metallic tones. If you use glass and silver or chrome, you’ll end up with a blingy lusciousness that exudes an air of nightclub glamour. If you pair purple with tarnished golds and bronzes, a room will take on an aged, regal feel, reminiscent of Renaissance Italy. (Think ornate mirrors and crushed velvets as key accessories.) Timber has similar amber tonings to gold, so it also looks good alongside purple.
❚ Deep purple and charcoal: This combination gives a room a lush, witty, urban look. Charcoal can be quite masculine and serious, but purple gives the scheme a playful, sensuous twist.
❚ Spicy shades and purple: Clear purples and aubergines are seen in Moroccan and Indian-inspired decor schemes. To follow their lead, put a few rich, spicy tones – such as orange, pink or turquoise – alongside purple for a playful, vibrant scheme that’s not too eyejangling.
❚ Provence pairings: Team soft greyed lavenders with eggshell blues and dusky creams for a dreamy, French-inspired interior.