Dare to make a bold statement with this luscious color family.

Once the domain of power, royalty and wealth, purple has also been associated with wisdom, bravery and spirituality. “It takes a lot of confidence to use this color,” observes interior designer Esther Boivin. “I would definitely encourage clients to embrace it, but carefully. It can be used as a strong accent for a big splash or more sparingly as an accent within a room.”

Here, we explore the spectrum, from soft lavender to brash violet, and share some ideas for bringing this color family to your decor. 

BRILLIANT BRUSHSTROKE

Produced in collaboration with artist-photographer Ashley Woodson Bailey, the Dutchmaster Midnight Floral round vessel bathroom sink brings lush, painterly panache to a powder room or master bath. 11.6875″ in diameter by 4″D. $953.
us.kohler.com

ICONIC SEATING 

Created by architect and interior designer Warren Platner in 1966, the lounge chair that bears his name is created by welding hundreds of steel rods to circular frames, blending modernism with classical design. 30.25″H by 36.5″W by 25.5″D. $6,778
dwr.com

COLORFUL CUBISM 

Designed by Phoenix Home & Garden Masters of the Southwest award-winning interior designer Julia Buckingham, these pieces draw the eye to sinuous, colorful forms captured in geometric glass. Small: 6.75″H by 2.5″L by 2.5″W; large: 8.75″H by 2.5″L by 2.5″W. $1,449-$1,749.
feathersdesign.com

“When I created this room, I was setting the stage for strength—but at the same time, kindness, passion and thoughtfulness,” says Boivin, who chose a bold, blue iridescent window treatment to contrast the orchid sectionals. The surprising accent of a yellow throw pillow provides a subtle dissonance, while a patterned oversized lumbar pillow imparts a soothing effect.

ALFRESCO Chic 

Jazz up your outdoor kitchen with a jolt of unexpected color. Hestan Outdoor Living Suites get you cooking with grills, rotisseries, refrigeration and beverage dispensers, each designed with intuitive features and smart technology. Inquire for pricing.
centralazreserve.com

BEWITCHED, BOTHERED AND BEJEWELED 

With its iridescent lavender swirls, charoite is believed to be a powerful healing stone that converts negative emotions into positive outcomes. Accented with faceted amethyst gemstones, this statement necklace personifies its color: daring and unforgettable. $489
rareearthgallerycc.com

THROUGH WINE-COLORED GLASSES 

Like jewelry for your table, the Saint-Louis Bubbles hock glass in amethyst, Tommy hock glass in purple and Les Endiables Bubbles glass sparkle, glimmer and surprise. $325.00-$670.00
maindishaz.com

“There are many degrees of purple: from pale lilac to deep aubergine with many hues in between,” says Phoenix Home & Garden Masters of the Southwest award-winning interior designer Donna Vallone. “Purple is not a color for everyone,” she continues, “It could be incorporated as a simple orchid on a cocktail table in an otherwise neutral room, or annuals in exterior landscaping that are seen from indoors.” The color scheme of this bathroom evolved from the designer’s love of lilac and a client who encouraged her to think ‘out of the box.’

SLAKE YOUR THIRST 

Humans and canines alike will always stay hydrated with the Elkay Outdoor Fountain Bi-Level Pedestal with Pet Station, which stands up to the Arizona elements with a powder-coated exterior over a corrosion-resistant stainless steel. 40.31″H by 31″W by 14″D. $13,355
centralazsupply.com

GO WITH THE FAUX 

Including this color family doesn’t require a major design decision. An understated lavender accent such as these artificial succulent stems can provide subtle balance to a room’s color palette. Approximately 7″H by 7″W. $7 each.
botanicalelegance.com

IF YOU BUILD IT 

Design your dream kitchen with the Platinum Series by Bluestar (available in more than 1,000 colors and finishes; shown here in Signal Violet) with a full lineup that includes refrigerators, ranges and hoods. Pricing upon request.
ferguson.com

“Whether it’s big, bold strokes or subtle accents, color instantly infuses a room with life and energy,” says interior designer April Lozevski, who designed this inventive bedroom for a young artist. The space was built from the bottom up, drawing the color palette from the faded shades of amethyst in a vintage rug. To keep the look eclectic, the designer mixed in other shades of purple with a banded desk chair and pompom-trimmed chartreuse drapery. “Unexpected color combinations always make a space sing,” she says.

“I think people worry that they’ll grow tired of a color choice,” Lozevski continues. “My advice is don’t follow trends, follow your heart. If you have a color crush, take a walk on the wild side. Bring home flowers, buy that pillow, paint that wall. Live a colorful life.”

CLIMB THE WALLS 

Crafted from capiz shells colored by hand, Arte International Camber interlocking wallcovering tiles in Vintage Blush add an irresistible shimmer to spaces large and small. 15.5″H by 20″W. To the trade.
palavelahome.com

EYE CANDY 

A cheerful patio, balcony or poolside addition, the Pastel Acapulco Chair is constructed of a recycled, powder-coated galvanized steel frame and your choice of 18 happy hues of colorfast PVC cord. 36″H by 30″W by 36″D. $460
shopboxhill.com

LOVELY IN LILAC 

Perfect for smaller spaces, the retro-inspired, 11.6-cubic-foot Big Chill Slim Fridge is available in a rainbow of hues, including Blue Lilac, shown here. 65″H by 24.75″W by 29.5″D. Starting at $3,490.
bigchill.com

SOURCES

Interior designer: Esther Boivin, ASID, Esther Boivin Interiors, Scottsdale, estherboivininteriors.com

• Purple sectional (custom): estherboivininteriors.com
• Mirror on fireplace (by Christopher Guy): Alexander Sinclair, Scottsdale, alexandersinclairshowroom.com
• Rug: David E. Adler Fine Rugs, Scottsdale, davideadler.com
• Chandelier (custom): Hinkley’s Custom Lighting, Scottsdale, hinkleyslighting.com
• Draperies (custom): Dezion Drapery, Phoenix, debi@deziondrapery.com
• Wall finish (custom design by estherboivininteriors.com): Legendary Finishes, Scottsdale, legendaryfinishes.com
• Contractor: queenconstruction.com

Interior designer: Donna Vallone, Vallone Design, Scottsdale, vallonedesign.com

• Purple and white tile (by Zellige): Craftsman Court Ceramics, Scottsdale, craftsmancourt.com
• Faucet, shower and tub filler and flooring (Portlandia terrazzo): waterworks.com
• Vanity wall wallcovering: lindsaycowles.com
• Art over tub: madegoods.com

Interior designer: April Lozevski, Avril Interiors, Phoenix, avrilinteriors.com

• Wallpaper: kvadrat.dk/en/sahco
• Bed (custom): avrilinteriors.com
• Fabric: maxwellfabrics.com
• Bedding: serenaandlily.com
• Desk chair: Kravet, Scottsdale, kravet.com
• Desk: worlds-away.com
• Drapery fabric: dedar.com; trim: samuelandsons.com; workroom: Art D’Fabrique, Peoria, (623) 229-4272.
• Drapery hardware: rh.com
• Rug: Azadi Fine Rugs, Scottsdale, azadifinerugs.com
• Chandelier (by DVI Lighting) and bedside lamps (by Mondoluz): Sun Lighting, Tempe, Accessories: avrilinteriors.com