Orla Collins | 19 December 2024
We’ve been conditioned to believe that art belongs on a wall, framed and static. But what if we told you that your entire space could be the artwork? Imagine a room where the walls, the furniture and even the textiles tell a story in vibrant hues and textures. Still want framed art? Absolutely. But maybe it’s time to think of it as the finishing touch.
Yes, colour can be the main event. Think of it as a sensory experience, something that can evoke mood, inspire emotion and define a space just as powerfully as a painting or sculpture. Whether the space is a country manor or city apartment, colour provides depth, symbolism and cultural resonance and has the potential to tell a story or make a statement. Here, we look at how colour has the power to move us, as well as shape our environments.
Artists have long understood the inherent power of colour, and no movement demonstrated this better than the Colour Field painters of the late 1940s and 1950s. By breaking away from traditional forms, these artists redefined what art could be, showing that colour itself could convey depth, emotion and meaning – often more powerfully than figurative representation ever could. Their legacy endures as a testament to the transformative power of colour as a force in its own right, capable of captivating and moving us without the need for form or subject.
Mark Rothko, for instance, wanted his viewers to stand close to his paintings, to be fully immersed in their vast fields of colour and to experience something mythic and transcendent: “A painting is not a picture of an experience; it is an experience,” he famously said in LIFE magazine in 1959. Rothko’s goal was to make colour more than just a visual element; he wanted it to become transformative and resonate deeply and personally with each viewer.
Colour is a force in its own right, capable of captivating and moving us without the need for form or subject.
Around the same time, in an entirely different sphere, decorator Dorothy Draper championed the idea that colour could uplift the spirit. In her 1925 book The Hostess’s Treasure Chest, she warned against “the will to be dreary”, advocating instead for bold, theatrical palettes – think flamingo pink paired with forest green. Draper believed these vibrant combinations had the power to quicken the pulse and brighten the mood, transforming interiors into spaces of joy and energy.
Designer Elsa Schiaparelli famously championed the magnetism of bold colour, proclaiming in 1937: “I gave to pink, the nerve of the red – a neon pink, an unreal pink.” Neon hues have a unique energy, a certain power that sets them apart. Whether flashing in a neon sign or woven into fashion, these electrifying shades demand attention, bringing a vibrancy that softer tones simply can’t match.
In design, colour can function as the central artistic element: a monochromatic room can serve as the “art” that captivates the eye. Just as an artist would select shades and tones on a canvas, a designer carefully curates colours to bring a room to life and convey a feeling.
When used thoughtfully, colour has the unique power to create a dynamic and ever-changing “gallery” – one that doesn’t need frames or traditional art pieces to feel complete. It’s a form of art that fills the space, interacts with the light and shifts as you move within it. So yes, colour is absolutely art on its own and, when used well, it’s art that’s both personal and transformative.
Colour isn’t just a design tool; it’s a mood, a memory and a splash of your personality painted across a room. Traditional artwork has its place, but bold, saturated colours are the secret weapons of unique interior design, especially when used to create impact on walls, floors and statement furniture. By treating colour as art, you’re rewarded with a customisable design element that’s as versatile as it is timeless. Here’s how we do it.
With such a huge spectrum of colours available, seek inspiration elsewhere. We begin by looking for anything that appeals to us – anything that makes us stop for more than a couple seconds. Once inspiration hits, we set out to find that hue. And we don’t get bogged down by colour descriptions (which are basically word salad).
We try subtle and unexpected pairings we instinctively know our clients will really love. Like a piece of art, colour is a boost for the soul – a luxurious secret, a bit of colour therapy to start and end the day. Say, for example, you have a weakness for macarons. Pairing pastels like pistachio-green and violet could make a space itself feel like a macaron – and a living piece of art.
Please forget feature walls. We’re not afraid to turn an entire room into a work of art by drenching it in the same colour, including the skirting board, cornice and architraves. Layering a single colour with different textures creates a dynamic look that feels both bold and sophisticated.
When the architectural details are the same colour as the walls, they form a single backdrop that visually recedes, making the colour the focal point, like in this dramatic Wimbledon refurbishment.
We believe statement furniture in daring hues or rich upholstery can bring life to even the most minimalistic spaces. Think jewel-toned chairs or an unapologetically vibrant rug.
Fanciful furniture gives interiors a surreal, down-the-rabbit-hole feel – look at the sunny-yellow banquettes India Mahdavi created for the Gallery restaurant’s refurb at Sketch in London, using fabrics by Senegalese textile designer Aissa Dione. Such sumptuous pieces make rooms feel alive without relying on conventional artwork to do the heavy lifting.
Layering colours is like layering emotions into a room. Try playing with textures and shades within the same colour family to add warmth and dimension. A space that layers vibrant reds, pinks and ochres against softer, muted tones feels richly curated – like our grade II-listed Victorian apartment in Kensington. It achieves a depth that few art pieces could compete with, adding a subtle, gallery-like quality that elevates a room from luxurious to timeless.
Forget the notion that everything must match perfectly – some of the most striking interiors feature bold, clashing shades. In this Praiano villa on Italy’s Amalfi Coast, a raspberry-and-yellow kitchen instantly grabs attention and creates a focal point that feels daring, modern and unapologetically expressive, while remaining light and airy. We used Benjamin Moore’s Hannah Banana for extra pop.
Colour isn’t just visual; it’s emotional, broadcasting feelings with every shade. Recent research even hints that our reactions to certain colours may be hard-wired, deeply influencing how we feel. Orla Collins, founder of Purple Design, approaches colour with a unique, spirited flair. To her, colour is not just art; it’s an alchemical force – a transformative tool with the power to shape a space, lift a mood and even shift a mindset.
This is why Orla chose the colour purple as our namesake. Purple isn’t just a shade – it’s a statement. It was a colour so rare that it had to be legislated for the elites – until a young chemist accidentally synthesised it in 1856, bringing a once-impossible colour into reach. Purple became the icon of transformation, individuality and self-expression.
From ancient kings to Elizabethan nobility, purple was a colour of the elite, a luxury reserved for the precious few. This historical connection gives it an inherent richness, a quality that embodies what we strive to achieve in luxury interior design. Using purple as a foundation for our name is a nod to the past but also a declaration of intent: we design for those who want spaces that feel rare and valuable.
From the Suffragette Movement to rock icons of the 1960s, purple has represented defiance, strength and creativity. It’s a colour that doesn’t ask permission. For Purple Design, it symbolises our clients’ desire for something that defies trends and endures beyond them. We’re not just another London interior designer; we’re a team that believes in spaces with personality.
Purple sits at the far end of the visible spectrum, floating in a realm that the human eye can barely detect. It’s elusive, a little mysterious and entirely unforgettable – just like every residential interior we design. Purple captures our belief in creating spaces that feel as precious as they are unique.
When it comes to luxury interior design, art is everywhere – if you know where to look. By using colour as art, you can transform blank canvases into spaces with personality, depth and sophistication. Every room deserves a story, a unique palette that reflects its character and elevates its architecture into masterpieces.
Luxury interior design should be bold, timeless and, yes, a little rebellious. Let colour do the talking. Want to know how we can support you? Get in touch here.