Live Breathe Decor

Every now and then I go through a phase where I want to paint every room in the house a different colour. I saw a picture in House Beautiful of a pale pink living room (I’ll have to post it!) and obsessed about it for a week, but wasn’t allowed to replicate it at home (hello darling husband!). So then I thought, why not try purple?

Domino

I know it’s widely loved, but this purple room (above) from Domino is among my favourite images of all time! To me it speaks perfection; the chandelier, the deep purple panelled walls, the gorgeous painting, simple linen curtains and tablecloth, painted furniture and parquetry floors, it’s my dream space.

apartment therapy

design cocktail

But if I used it at home in our main living area it would have to be a much subtler version of purple. I’m thinking a pale lilac that could be confused for grey. In fact, grey and purple are one of my fave colour combinations, so that could really work. Think pale grey-lilac walls with purples in fabrics and/or accessories to bring the colour out..

Nate Berkus

room by sarah richardson

decorpad

A little something like this (above). The room scheme is grey and white but the browny-purple lamp shades make it feel purple.So, you don’t need to paint the whole room, as a little purple can go a long way. Maybe just the ceiling:

design ties

or maybe just a painting:

via saucyhelp

Doesn’t purple go well with green? This image is slightly over-styled for my taste but the two tones of green (fresh green in vases, throw and posie + kahki green in cushion and artwork) really look great against the blue-purple of the painting. But the best thing about the above room? The gorgeous timber wall panelling and cornices. Love the table too (want one!).

Or even just some flowers!

via saucyhelp

apartment therapy

Purple mixed with orange is a colour combination for those who love bold colour! Another purple match made in heaven is when it’s paired with turquoise:

lifestyle

Purple, turquoise and white (above), love it!

housetohome via design cocktail

Domino

Domino

Other lovely purples:

Canadian House and Home

house beautiful

This tiny one-bedroom apartment’s (above) purple walls made it seem larger, not smaller.

apartment therapy

hotel chatter

room by kishani perera via brittany stiles

image via desire to decorate

I am fairly certain that this is Gwyneth Paltrow’s bedroom (above) at her house in the Hamptons. What a beautiful balance of classic and modern as well as textural interest. Glossy table, crystal-like lamp, metallic shimmer wallpaper, soft fabric bedhead, plush flokati rug; it’s a great combination.

via jbanks35main

This sofa with the zebra cushion so reminds me of an image in a previous post I did on fabric. This image is just ‘so me’. The blue/purple shades on the sofa upholstery and cushions is just so beautiful and kept fresh with the more modern artwork.

elle decor

The living room above blends a range of jewel tones: purple, lilac, pink, blue. It’s prevented from becoming too feminine through the use of black (bookshelves, side table and lamp shade), and the 60′s-style armchairs. I remember reading in the magazine at the time that the sofa was found for next-to-nothing on ebay! Those absolutely gorgeous pink peonies make the room for me.

But back to my living room, for now it remains in shades of grey, but the next time a purple mood hits me I may just open a tin of paint..