A peek at PURPLE

I don't usually find myself drawn to purple. I never buy purple clothes. And I certainly wouldn't buy purple furniture! But I recently came across a picture of a very cool kitchen with bright purple, metal chairs, and my curiosity was piqued. 

-via dustjacketattic.blogspot.com / So unexpected and fun.

-via dustjacketattic.blogspot.com / So unexpected and fun.

Well, metal chairs are one thing - they look pretty darn awesome in that otherwise neutral room. But what about other furniture?  Could I find purple items that I would actually decorate a home with?

-via Daily Dream Decor / I can't stop staring at this room.

-via Daily Dream Decor / I can't stop staring at this room.

Uh, YEAH!  There are some beautiful images of rooms with various shades of purple that literally "had me at hello" (that's right, I said it). 

-via boligmagasinet.dk / Who da thunk?

-via boligmagasinet.dk / Who da thunk?

-via South Shore Decorating Blog / Elegant.

-via South Shore Decorating Blog / Elegant.

-via South Shore Decorating Blog / How beautiful is this chair?!

-via South Shore Decorating Blog / How beautiful is this chair?!

-via yellowtrace.com.au / Funky fun.

-via yellowtrace.com.au / Funky fun.

And it's not just furniture.  People are actually using purple paint in chic and interesting ways:

-via bhg.com

-via bhg.com

-via Domaine Home / I LOVE that deep purple accent wall! It totally makes the room.

-via Domaine Home / I LOVE that deep purple accent wall! It totally makes the room.

-photo by Mark Lund / via HGTV Magazine (You know, not my first choice, but I obviously had to share)

-photo by Mark Lund / via HGTV Magazine (You know, not my first choice, but I obviously had to share)

-via jannepeters.de / I dig the dark purple mixed with the ethnic textiles.

-via jannepeters.de / I dig the dark purple mixed with the ethnic textiles.

-via Hometalk / .

-via Hometalk / .

-via The Neo-Trad / This is just about the loveliest front door in the world.

-via The Neo-Trad / This is just about the loveliest front door in the world.

And let's not forget about purple's cousin, Magenta...

-via Better Homes and Gardens

-via Better Homes and Gardens

-via domainehome.com / I really dig this unexpected choice.  There's nothing ho-hum about glossy, magenta bookshelves.

-via domainehome.com / I really dig this unexpected choice.  There's nothing ho-hum about glossy, magenta bookshelves.

But the realistic side of me knows that I'm probably more likely to use purple as an accent in a room.  

-via stylemepretty.com / What a killer room!  Love the rug, the black wall and especially those fab pillows!

-via stylemepretty.com / What a killer room!  Love the rug, the black wall and especially those fab pillows!

-via Apartment Therapy / Again, tres chic!

-via Apartment Therapy / Again, tres chic!

-via homebunch.com / A lovely, traditional kitchen/great room that mixes grays and purples for a nice, warm feel.

-via homebunch.com / A lovely, traditional kitchen/great room that mixes grays and purples for a nice, warm feel.

-via sarahklassen.com 

-via sarahklassen.com 

-via Mehraban / Rug love (more here).

-via Mehraban / Rug love (more here).

-via dailyherald.com / "A mojito, please."

-via dailyherald.com / "A mojito, please."

-via flickr / David Collins / The artwork looks like a massive agate.  So beautiful. 

-via flickr / David Collins / The artwork looks like a massive agate.  So beautiful. 

Lesson learned.  Shades of purple can be beautiful in a home.  The combination of red and blue works in both warm and cool-toned rooms, and it can be just the thing that makes the room special.  

Let's start with some flowers....

-via preppiebettie.tumblr.com

-via preppiebettie.tumblr.com