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Copy this purple and gray living space without breaking the bank!

Purple is particularly popular this season, but people are often afraid of purple: They worry that it's a big commitment or that they'll tire of it quickly However, when properly place, purple accents can be timeless.

The key to avoiding a "here today, gone tomorrow" decorating situation is to neutralize the color. You can make purple less overbearing by pairing it with natural and neutral hues to bring down the color volume to a level livable for you on the day-today.

First, choose the right shade of purple. In this living room , the purple is a muted shade of purple-gray, with a slightly water-washed feel. The intensity is softened but the beauty of the color is still there. The neutral tones like the sofa and curtain panels help keep the room in balance.

Next, bring in some wood and natural elements such as baskets, bonsai, bowls, and natural woven shades. These natural elements bring pompous purple down to earth.

The natural and neutral elements do such a good job of tempering the purple that the space even manages to use a few super luxe gold accessories without being flashy or overbearing! Below you'll find product suggestions for how to get the look for less:

A water-washed purple goes beautifully with natural wood, as well as a modern glass lamp. Photos: Overstock.com, Pottery Barn, ShopTableLamps.com

Above: Hand-Tufted Purple Wool Rug, $286, Overstock.com; Vintage Wood Bowl, $39, $39, Pottery Barn; Crystal Spheres Table Lamp, $180, ShopTableLamps.com.

Golds and purples won't be overwhelming if you add wood elements like baskets or a sculptural botanic. Photos: Crate & Barrel, Bonsai Boy, Pottery Barn, Overstock.com

Above: Tempo Velvet Pillow, $37, Crate & Barrel; Juniper Bonsai, $30, Bonsai Boy; Logan Baskets, $30 to $49, Pottery Barn; Genuine Gold Leaf Gilded Ivory Candles, $43.50 for a set of two, Overstock.com.

Try using a soft-backed flokati rug as a "throw" on the back of a sofa for a cozy, textural and interesting look. Photos: Rugs USA, Dillard's, and Smith + Noble.

Above: Flokati Rug, from $79, Rugs USA; Slant "Quatrefoil" Gold Glasses, from $12.75, Dillard's; Natural Woven shades, from $176, Smith + Noble.

  • marlo

    Yuck. Looks like funeral wear....

    Reply
  • Jules

    Amen! Looks exactly like a funeral parlor!

  • Erica

    I like the purple but I am not sure my husband would go for this in a living room space!

    Reply
  • Donna

    Looks a little too P-Diddy for me.

    Reply
  • C

    Erica,

    Throw in some throw pillows and maybe purple flower. I bet YOU that he does not notice it.

    Reply
  • c

    Mario,

    I bet your house is all beige. Yuck.

    Reply
  • Marlo

    Yo - Mc

    That's M A R L O, Dolly, NOT Mar i o. Duh. And my house is NOT beige at all.... In fact there's no beige in it. It is many wonderful shades that remind me of sunrises and sunsets on the ocean.....There are MANY colors other than purple.....Don't jump to such conclusions; you will continue to present yourself as somewhat of a horses patoot.

  • Cedar177

    Purple!...yuck! looks like a bordelo or something,...

    Reply
  • Bonnie

    I agree. This color combination looks like a funeral parlor.

    Reply
  • Kathy

    The couch is definately the wrong color and there are way too many chatchke's and pillows. It makes the area look too "busy". It definately detracts from the color scheme. I have a black and white bedroom done in toille. My accent colors are in plum with a plum carpet. It has simple lines and looks crisp and clean. It is not frilly or frou frou. Perhaps the designers could give another version of a neutral "purple" to address their idea. The one they showed wasn't very good.

    Reply
  • mariko

    it's "definitely," not "definately"

  • mariko

    definitely (spelling)

  • Sharlene

    Purple has always been my color of choice for my home. If done with taste, it can be smashing. This color reflects my personality and everyone who walks into my house gets the wow factor. I love it and my house is a happy place that makes you feel good. I cannot and never could see myself in a beige world like the rest of the population. Yes, I stand out and I dare to be different but it's all good and I always get the WOWs.

    Reply
  • Helen Lee

    I agree with you. I get the WOW'S with the purple, beige, green & white wallpaper, which adds to my French Country decor.

  • HelenLee

    I have always loved purple, in the orchid tones. My professional decorator knew I liked orchid in the bedroom, especially the guest room. It's a great accent with French Country decor, or modern. This time I used wallpaper with purple, beige, green, and a little white. Everyone loves it and commited on my changing to the bold wallpaper instead of delicate French Country. I'm a senior citizen and love to decorate differently.

    Reply
  • beth

    Purple is over rated, and so 4 years ago!!!

    Reply
  • Carroll

    You keep your Purple...I'll keep my Blue...I want a color...That looks brand new...and Purple looks dim...as dim as can be...No Funeral Parlor colors for me.

    Reply
  • KatieCouric'sNemesis

    Purple for SPRING? Lilac maybe. Lavender, possibly. Orchid, perhaps. BUT PURPLE?

    That color looks like a Victorian grandmother left your mother her old dresses and you finally got around to opening the trunk!

    Seriously, I have NOT seen that color used since the late 19th century when married women were relegated to dull colors for their entire wardrobe, when they weren't wearing black mourning.

    Reply
  • Will

    this is one of my fave color mix-. i wear it, accesorize it, use it LOVE IT!!! ^^ 4THUMBS UP!!!!! (if i hav 2 more )

    Reply
  • AMLNGN

    ITS LOVELY, WHAT IN GODS NAME IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE, A FUNERAL PARLOR? GET OUT OF HERE. IF THTAS WHAT IT REMINDS YOU OF, GET A SHRINK.

    Reply
  • 23 Comments / 2 Pages

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