Pantone’s Colour of The Year Is Not for Shrinking Violets

By Marlene Wessels
17th Dec 2017

Pantone’s Colour of The Year Is Not for Shrinking Violets

There’s something about purple in interiors that brings us right back to the Celtic Tiger – and not in a good way. We’re immediately put in mind of the Louis XV chairs, upholstered in purple velvet, that haunted hotel hallways and bedrooms the land over. So, Pantone’s announcement of 18-3838 Ultra Violet as their ‘Colour of the Year’ came as something of a shock.

Our reactions ranged from “yuck” to “gross”, to “ghastly” and “hideous” and others not suitable for publication. However, since we like to be current, we decided to see if and how we can make it work. So we’ve pondering, and we’ve decided the only way to make Ultra Violet work for us, is to bend the rules a bit. By muting purple with blue undertones and by combining it with murkier colours, we’ve compiled four combinations to consider.

1. Mix with muted tones to soften brash and bold purple.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Accent cushion, Muuto. The Rox sofa in soft velvet, Bloomingville. Pantone Colour of the Year 2018 Ultra Violet 18-3838. Calvin Klein’s Maya Orchid rug, Houseology.

2. Mix casual linens with subtle pattern and evocative art.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Linen Casual in violet (32211887), Casamance. The Hill Glass Art, BoConcept. Gamla Stan cushion cover, Linum. Serego wallpaper, Designers Guild. Linen in violet (32211988), Casamance.

3. Mix texture and opposing secondary colours.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Edge notebook, COS X HAY. Enostudio My Terrazza wallpaper, Smallable. Forsyth fabrics, Designers Guild. Blue throw, Ferm Living. Washed cotton pillowcase, H&M.

4. Don’t take it too seriously. And this one is key.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Cuban Lady canvas, BoConcept. Washed linen duvet cover set, H&M. North Bowl, BoConcept. Linen Casual in violet (32212291), Casamance. Quilted-blanket, Smallable.