Inspiration Gallery: Lavender and Lilac Walls

We like purple in small doses, but we have to admit we're a little apprehensive when it comes to painting a wall in pastels, especially pale lilacs and lavenders. Lately, we've seen some rooms that could sway us...

These spaces use bluish lavenders and pinkish lilacs with a bold, dark, or crisp accent color, which adds a little bit of an edge. Some of them even incorporate light purple in unexpected places, like a closet or a striped accent wall. For more tips on using pastels successfully, click here.

SHOWN ABOVE
• 1 Paper Floral Rug from the Rug Company
• 2 Color Chips: Yellow and Lavender
• 3 Dusty Lilac Closet
• 4 Lilac Bedroom from Ideal Home
• 5 Kips Bay Showhouse by Jamie Drake

Photos: The Rug Company, Mzelle Biscotte licensed via Creative Commons, Mark Chamberlain, Ideal Home, Nick Johnson / Jamie Drake

Comments (8)

My least favorite colors. Though I'll admit I like how that dull gold/brass looks against the lavender in the last picture.

posted by slowdown on September 15th 2009 at 8:19pm
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I'm notice that these colors are becoming a real trend these days, hopefully it passes quickly.

posted by boxerchick on September 15th 2009 at 8:27pm
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I like the way clicking the thumbnails just updates the picture, without reloading the whole page. I wish all the pages on AT would be that way.

posted by kuroneko on September 15th 2009 at 8:45pm
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my bedroom is light lavender and is just beautiful. i love it and it's so comforting and soothing. i totally love it.

and i did it over a year and a half ago so all these people are copying me. haha!

posted by pseudodesigns on September 15th 2009 at 10:00pm
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I remember that Ted Kennedy's library in McLean, Virginia was painted mauve in the 1970's -- his favorite color. I found myself on a journey to follow him in terms of color, and eventually painted a room periwinkle in the 90's. It's not for everyone, of course, but it was strangely compelling: restful, grounded, even ethereal. Now I'd like to try it again, maybe with darker stains and colors that would pop against it.

posted by krister on September 15th 2009 at 10:38pm
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I like the color combinations in room no. 1, although I don't think I could live with it long term. Maybe if I had a few extra rooms.

posted by AustinSarah on September 16th 2009 at 1:18am
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I love the combination of the lavender walls and mint green sofa in #1.

posted by aj on September 16th 2009 at 11:30am
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Great timing! I'm about to paint my living room in a light lavender tint (photo of paint buckets and color swatch here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fraise/3755158994/ ). Mine is a bit more neutral than these, but it's nice to see the color combinations for ideas, as I don't yet have much furniture.

posted by fraise on September 16th 2009 at 12:10pm
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