A Purple Color Scheme That Purple Haters Love!

February 12, 2023
33 Comments
Posted in: color schemes, interior design

Dear Laurel,

I’ve noticed that there are certain colors you gravitate towards, namely blue, teal, green, yellow-green, and white. However, you rarely share images with indigo, violet, red, burgundy, and eggplant. What I mean is a purple color scheme.

Is it that those colors are no good? Or, is it a personal preference? Well, I guess it doesn’t matter. I like all of your color schemes; however, maybe you could do one for us folks that prefer the cooler side of blue, into violet, pink, red, and eggplant families.

Sincerely,

Violetta Scarlett.

***

What a pretty name, Violetta! Well, it’s true, Valentine’s Day is coming up, and you asked so nicely; how can I refuse?

I did notice, however, that the warmest colors, yellow and orange, were left out. Well, that’s okay; we paid homage to that palette in the fall with the mood board that sparked a million questions. Well, actually, it was just a few. It’s interesting, however, that the three least favorite colors tend to be yellow, orange, and purple, followed by red.

However, all of the colors can make beautiful color schemes.

In the Laurel Home Paint & Palette Collection, all of the paint color groups are included, including several in the purple family. However, it’s true, I do gravitate to the blues and greens.

You know, when I was a little girl, my favorite color was purple. And I was so tickled because my birthstone is an amethyst, also purple.

However, by the time I was well into adulthood, my color preference had shifted to the opposite color on the color wheel. Chartreuse. Although, I prefer it in small doses.

OH MY! WE HAVE A BREAKING NEWS BULLETIN!

Classical architect, Gil Schafer has just announced an exciting merger of his firm GP Schafer & Assoc. with the interior design firm Buccellato Architecture and Design. The launch of the merged firms is expected to happen in September 2023. They will work out of Gil’s NY office and a satellite office in South Bend, Indiana!

What’s incredibly cool is that Aimee and Kevin Buccellato worked with Gil some 20 years ago but moved to Indiana to raise a family and teach.

Here is the press release that came out on my birthday!
I’m sure they planned it that way, but they inadvertently forgot to tell me. lol

Now, the reason I saw this is not because I’m continuously stalking Gil’s incredibly gorgeous website.

Please understand that I do take stalking breaks from time to time. ;]

No, really, I went on his site to share an image with you. This is a sore subject. Image sharing. I mentioned it last week. I am not in the habit of gratuitous sharing. If I share, it’s usually because it’s the best way I can convey my point.

I’m not talking about the pics you guys have so graciously shared with me. I’m talking about A-list designers who deserve the publicity and have done spectacular interior design work. Apparently, they don’t usually own the images. The photographer who took the photos of the designer’s rooms owns them.

Why don’t you just ask for permission, Laurel?

Yes, I am starting to get braver about that. However, if they say “no,” that’s it. Or, sometimes, they tell me to contact their agent about licensing. Licensing fees are way beyond anything I can afford. One image is usually about $800 to license.

So, I’m going to do what I did the other day and share with you the smallest portion possible of one image so that you can see what’s going on.

And, then, if interested, below the image, as always, I’ll link to its source. There, you can see the entire image and others from the same project to see the beautiful flow.

Gorgeous 5th Avenue apartment in New York City by Gil Schafer.

I’m not sure who the photographer or who else worked on this with Gil.

However, talking about the image, I think there’s enough to see the classical architecture and rich color scheme of many shades in the red family, from deep aubergine to soft red, coral, and gold.

The room on the other side of the doors you can’t see is essentially cream, gold, and orange. Again, here’s the link to see more of this project.

So, for today’s purple color scheme, you will soon see a board inspired by another image below, from Gil’s website.

This is new Georgian-style home is absolutely gorgeous. However, except for a handful of pieces and the wallpaper, it is unfurnished. I will look forward to seeing how Gil and his partners complete the rooms. Regarding the wallpaper; I’m 99% sure it’s been discontinued.

I love the wood tones so much for this room; I made all of the wood trim stained wood for my room. I think it’s gorgeous with the purple wallpaper. This is such a rich, sophisticated shade of purple. It, too, is more eggplant. It is a purple with a lot of brown in it.

Below is a pure purple.

Ouch!

You would go insane if you painted your walls this color. Believe it or not, there are far brighter purples, but I’m trying to be kind(er) to your rods and cones.

When you first started looking at the wallpaper image, it looked pretty durned purple, didn’t it? By the way, did you notice that round area that looks like a botched photoshop attempt to fill in a hole from a three-hole punch? (It’s in the bottom left of the image, above.)

Well, please scroll down and look again.

All fixed!

Okay, Are you ready for the board with the purple color scheme?

First, I’m going to quickly go through my process. I hope that will be helpful.

So, what did I do? I added some art over the mantel with a gold frame.

Then came the beautiful Serena & Lily Grady sofa with a box-pleated skirt. And, two velvet chairs from George Smith.

Next, I added simple coffee tables and two Chinoiserie lamps. I tried several rugs, but I like this one the best. The rug isn’t the star of the show, but it has to have enough oomph to stand on its own.

What’s the star, Laurel?

The purple wallpaper!

One important thing when using this color is balancing it with a bit of chartreuse and gold.

Even though this is a vastly toned-down purple, it’s still a pretty intense color for most people.

So, I stained the floors a deep walnut color. And, I added a pale modern oushak rug.

And, now, for the finished board with a purple color scheme.

I added more accessories, mostly porcelains, some sconces, velvet drapes with either an edging or a double drape made from a coordinating fabric. That way, the heavy velvet can be stationary, but for light control and privacy, the inner curtain can be pulled across.