Habitat plus - the power of purple

Unlike its close cousins, red and blue, purple 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.

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.

Resene Wicked kitchen; designed by Sian Gillanders.

Purple with aged gold tones:

Rich purples, like 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, whether you use it on the floor or through furniture.

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, like Resene Daisy Bush and Resene Fandango, are seen in Moroccan and Indian-inspired décor schemes. To follow their lead, put a few rich, spicy tones – like orange, pink or turquoise – alongside purple for a playful, vibrant scheme that’s not too eye-jangling.

Provençe pairings:

Team soft greyed lavenders, like Resene Amethyst Smoke, with eggshell blues and dusky creams for a dreamy, French-inspired interior.

Growing up:

Purple has become a go-to colour for older girls who don’t want to be surrounded by pink. Purple bedrooms are popping up everywhere and will take girls safely from toddler-hood through their teen years.

Resene Sugar And Spice girls bedroom.

Left: Resene Covert, Resene I Do, Resene Bona Fide, Resene Kookaburra and Resene Poet.
Right: Resene Finn wall; designed by Designworx.

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