About this time every year, people in New Orleans go gaga (Well, not really Lady Gaga, but doesn’t she look like she’s trying to decide between the purple or green costume?) over any and everything green, gold and purple, which are the colors of Carnival. They permeate all aspects of life!
There’s a hint in the garden. Usually expressed in purple and yellow pansies.
Then the colors march right up onto the porch and through the door.
They find their way to the table and make their presence known.
They even try to squeeze into closets. Years ago I had an eggplant colored suit accented with a silk charmuse gold, green and purple printed blouse. Today, I’m more sedate and confine this color combination to accessories.
The tri-colors are so brazen as to get incorporated into room decor, but it’s not easy using green, gold and purple. The trick is to use muted colors, feature one color and use the other two as accents. Here are a few examples.
Designer Lorrie Browne says about the room above, “The violet Calvin Klein duvet cover in this bedroom I designed works really well with neutral beiges as well as sage green, cream and gold.”
Rebecca, of Harmony and Home where this bedroom was featured, says that “what works here is the simply drawn purple flowers on the white spread and the wonderful pea green lamps.” She offers the following tips for decorating with purple. “Purples are also very regal and can look very sophisticated when used properly. I prefer this color on furniture and accessories. Use on one or two pieces in a richer shade for a more mature, luxurious look.”
This is a Tobi Fairley green and gold accented room, but I believe I see a hint of purple in those throw pillows, chair fabric and prints flanking the mirror.
Casart has a subtle use, too. The shading of our artichoke is in tones of brown and aubergine while the lettering is a lilac-blue.
And my favorite green, gold and purple combination is:
– Lorre Lei
Leave a Reply