AT Europe: The Color Purple in Paris, London and Istanbul

A few months ago on a weekend in Istanbul, I stumbled into an antique shop in Cukurcuma in which nobody seemed to be working. I'm not sure which caught my eye first, the decadent plush purple sofa or the mind-blowing door...

But it was certainly a lesson in the dramatic uses of the color purple that keeps showing up in store windows, Donatella Versace pillows and luggage, in dribs and drabs at this year's Maison & Objet show. But if it can seem contrived and not entirely convincing in a magazine spread or a product display, I've seen the royal hue put to memorable use out in the world lately, from the couch in Istanbul (whose entry into the European Union is still up in the air, but which is a very European city in feel) to the cross bench above that uses purple in place of the traditional red in the lobby of the Wellcome Collection building in London, a fascinating free private museum of medical objects, art and artifacts from Henry Wellcome, an American Victorian who moved to London and became a pharmacist and entrepreneur.

And finally, the neighbors across the way, with their floor to ceiling purple curtains that make a huge statement on the otherwise pale facade of the 17th-century building.

- Kristin Hohenadel blogging from rue Vieille du Temple, Paris, France. She can be reached at kristinh @ apartmenttherapy . com

that door is beautiful! i wish 'modern' doors, locks, hinges etc had half the detail of 'classical' stuff. I have a learnt obsession with photographing doors thanks to my mother and that one is one of the nicest ive ever seen

posted by niahr on April 2nd 2008 at 11:51am
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Purple is positively underused when it comes to decor. Those purple curtains look amazing. I only wish I could see them from the other side.

posted by Ajax's on April 2nd 2008 at 12:03pm
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bad for walls good for furniture and accessories

posted by LaDonnaNichole on April 2nd 2008 at 12:49pm
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Now I want Royal Purple velvet draperies for my bedroom...

posted by bepsf on April 2nd 2008 at 1:32pm
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LaDonnaNichole,

Not so! My favourite bedroom ever was painted aubergine and was fantabulous. I did it with silvery green, bamboo, and white accents. The room also featured a wall of windows, which didn't hurt...

posted by mjr on April 2nd 2008 at 1:47pm
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Purple is my favorite decorating color. Our wedding was aubergine-based in color and we are thinking about buying a purple couch.

Plus, Istanbul is one of the most amazing places I've ever been. Everyone should go there. I'm not surprised that these wonderful finds are from there.

posted by Mrs.2 on April 2nd 2008 at 3:33pm
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That purple couch against that ancient door is inspired! I love mid-century for its simplicity and purity, but this kind of moment is vibrant in spirit. Made me smile!

posted by pennylane on April 2nd 2008 at 4:42pm
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That is SUCH a refreshing picture! I'm suffering from mid-century modern fatigue -- and this is the cure!

posted by artnerd on April 2nd 2008 at 8:49pm
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I...want...that...couch!

posted by harmonyfrance on April 2nd 2008 at 11:21pm
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On Sunday, we were walking back from the Tour Eiffel, and I looked up into the windows of one of the very elegant apartments that line the Trocadero... all the windows (well, six sets) had purple drapes, and in one of them, you could see a purple brocade sofa... oh, how I wished I could see more...

posted by mschatelaine on April 3rd 2008 at 3:18am
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That really saturated and intense purple (sofa: Istanbul) is delirium-causing! Love it.

posted by Aulaire on April 3rd 2008 at 5:43am
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purple is my favorite color. that sofa IS amazing. my bedroom is heavy on the purples, especially the plums/eggplants, and i love it.

posted by blkbrrry on April 3rd 2008 at 7:06am
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Does anyone know where to find fabric this color in NY?

posted by DD104 on April 4th 2008 at 5:41am
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