Color of the Year, a Princely purple, is 'tricky' for home interiors

Pantone's Color of the Year 2018 is "Ultra Violet." But to Minnesotans, it's simply Vikings and Prince purple.

Our powerhouse football team and local pop superstar had already embraced the bold, dynamic hue decades ago.

The color gurus at the Pantone Color Institute consider Ultra Violet "complex and contemplative." It represents rebellion and finding new ways to interpret our lives and surroundings, said Laurie Pressman, the institute's vice president, in an interview with the Associated Press. But the hue also reflects the pleasing calm of Provence in France, and its purple flower fields, she added.

Last year's nature-inspired "Greenery" offered rejuvenation after a bruising, politically divided 2016, said Pressman.

Ultra Violet, a vibrant blend of red and blue, has taken center stage on fall and spring fashion runways, in beauty on eyes, lips and nails. Rhianna sported violet lips and purple-tinted sunglasses in a recent Dior ad.

Makeup is easy, when it comes to trying a new color. However, infusing a deep purple palette in home interiors is more of a challenge, say local design pros.

"Purple can be tricky," said designer Brooke Voss. "Either you love it or shy away from it."

That's why punches of purple are best in small doses, which can be replaced with other colors seasonally.

Voss advised using soft purple in smaller accessories such as a boucle pillow, throw or possibly a side chair. "It's a bit robust for big swaths across a room," she said.

Hagen agreed. "Light lavender softens a bedroom — but purple is loud and proud."

However, since gray is the current go-to neutral, Ultra Violet "can be a pretty accent on a lovely gray wool sofa," added Voss.

Laura Ashley is all in, with an extensive new French Romantic home collection in shades of violet for fabric, wallpaper, bedding, throw pillows, storage boxes and a rug, coming out next spring.

"A big cut amethyst gemstone on a coffee table is a great way to accessorize a room," she added.

Will Ultra Violet have a deep purple reign?

"It will be fun to see," said Hagen.

Lynn Underwood • 612-673-7619

@LyUnderwood