Purple Passion

If dark jewel tones are the reigning leaders of elegant fashion, then purple is definitely their queen. Deep, dark teals, navys, and purples have made an appearance on the red carpet in the last couple years as a stunning alternative to basic black.

These colors are dark enough to be classy but bright enough to set a starlet apart from the rest of the crowd; bringing a burst of color into a girl's wardrobe without looking like she's heading to a pep rally.

The purple passion is popping up in home designs too, in Ikea's new sofa collection and UK-based (Ikea clone) Habitat's sofas and interior textiles. Ikea's Tylosand sofa or armchair - a near-deadringer for the famed "Grand Confort" series by Le Corbusier - can be accompanied by the slipcover color of your choosing, which includes a sophisticated dark eggplant.

Metropolitan Home's website recently featured a story and slideshow devoted to all things lavender, violet and indigo, including Issac Mizrahi's new burnout velvet stripe fabric for S. Harris.

Possibly the best part about purple is that when used in moderation - a splash here, a sofa there - it can be glamorous and exciting without the girly factor.

P.S.- The Tylosand sofa cover also comes in a fantastic shade of orange, coordinating perfectly with this spring's hot paprika-hued pieces. I can't think of a better color to spice up a bland beige n' brown living room...