Plum Crazy

Pantone’s Colour of the Year for 2018 is Ultra Violet, a punchy, vibrant purple. I’m always intrigued when the new colour is released each year and think of ways it could be used in interiors, not so that they fit with the latest trends, but so that they create an interesting and timeless look. As with all colours, there are endless hues and tones to be found in the purple spectrum, and so even if ultra-violet is not your go-to choice, there are an abundance purple pieces to lust over, that might be more your look. From big to small ideas, I’ve found some utterly gorgeous ways to include purple into your home, so take a look!

Lotus Wallpaper in Brinjal and Off-Black from Farrow & Ball

Farrow & Ball have recently released some reimagined wallpapers, using some favourite designs in new colours. A standout design is the Lotus in Brinjal with an Off-Black background. The two colours together creates a dreamy, romantic and dramatic look, perfect of spicing up a snug or dining room. It’s also a great way to use purple if you favour dark interiors and are looking to reinvent a room.

Curiousa & Curiousa have an outstanding collection of lighting, their beautiful glass pieces are sure to make a pinnacle feature in any room. This pendant is the perfect retro shade of aubergine, fitting in with its sixties lava lamp curves and shape. Great for making a combination of a cosy atmosphere and statement piece in a bedroom, or as an attention-grabbing light for the entrance hall.

Stemmed Orb Diffuser from Curiousa & Curiousa

Not all your purple additions need to be dark and dramatic, purple can also take a sweet and delicate tone. This bedding from Anthropologie is a dusty, faded shade of purple, the slightly darker toned trim is a sweet touch and could bring an inviting feel to a guest bedroom.

Caridee Bed Linen from Anthropologie

A touch of purple when it comes to your curtains could give a room that balance between calming and fresh; these pompom curtains from Urban Outfitters will help give a room a little lift. The Pompom detailing is oh-so-cute, giving the room some textural feel.

Blackout Pompom Curtains from Urban Outfitters

If you’re unsure about purple, adding it to your interiors in very small doses is a good way to see whether the colour is for you, and your home. A simple, elegant room with a small touch of purple here and there can make for an interesting look. This purple glass mirror from Amara is an unexpected find. A quick splash of colour in a downstairs loo, or mixed into a larger mirror display, this mirror could fit in perfectly.

Lust Mirror by Normann Copenhagen from Amara

Pair together this arrangement of purple headed thistle and this jellyfish paperweight for a lovely display on your desk or on a hall console table. The small additions of purple are fun but classic feeling.

Faux Purple Thistle Spray from Graham & Green

Purple Jellyfish Paperweight from Graham & Green

Adding purple to a garden or patio area isn’t something I would have automatically put together, but these chairs from Heals and the vivid green leaves make a great combination. An interesting way to give a rustic looking area a burst of contemporary colour.

Thayla Chair from Heals

There’s been a huge influx of purple furniture pieces and homeware this season, so it’s a great time to take a look at the colour and see if it’s to your liking; the great thing about searching through interior styles is that you never know if you’re about to fall in love with something new, and just maybe there’s a place for a little something purple amongst your favourites.

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Don’t be scared by orange this Halloween

It’s nearly Halloween, but don’t be frightened, we’re here to help guide you through this aesthetically challenging holiday. If cobwebs, pumpkins and bats aren’t your thing (they’re not ours either) we show you how to add a seasonal shot of orange to your home without scaring yourself silly.

The simple trick with orange, as with all things, is moderation. This vase by Designers Guild shows you how to add the perfect little burst of seasonal colour; mixed in with the blues and pinks of the other accessories it’s bold but not too intimidating.

Better still, introduce it slowly as part of a pattern. This floral wallpaper uses a small percentage of orange mixed in with with all the other shades which adds a lovely fresh, contemporary feel to the design.

If you’re feeling brave, hot pink is a natural partner to orange, and combining really strong shades of each can create a lovely ‘Indian Summer’ feel to a room scheme. Go easy on how much you add though, you want to evoke a late summer glow with your accessories, rather than bonfire night.

Ok, so this isn’t strictly orange, but this beautiful copper light shade by Tom Dixon has a lovely warm glow when lit and due to its pumpkin shape it’s made it onto my halloween list –  it’s the perfect way to introduce a coppery orange tone to a minimal scheme.

And finally Zimmer and Rohde show how a little can go a long way when it comes to orange. This single orange silk cushion packs a powerful punch and more than holds its own in the image above; as an accent colour it’s perfect for cutting through dark shades and adding a zingy little burst of sunshine.

Happy Halloween!

Images: Designers Guild, Osborne and Little, Dreams of Home, Zimmer and Rohde

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