As the saying goes, opposites attract. There is no better opposite pairing right now than mixing Pantone’s color of the year, Ultraviolet, with its strong alter ego: Red. Here are 10 ways Ultraviolet combines with red to bring out its vibrant, fiery side! Note: I am a redhead, so there could be some bias here!
Go big or go home! This inspiration via Pinterest shows how Ultraviolet can become the canvas that let’s these little red stools sing. Ultraviolet’s blue based purple gives red the breathing room it needs to be the star of the show. Just try to remember, that mindfulness is key when mixing these two colors. Don’t forget your bridgers: the mix of purples, reds, oranges and pinks draw you out from ultraviolet’s inky background. We don’t just plop the red in the middle and call it a day. Those bridge colors (colors we get by mixing red with it’s ‘cousin’ colors) give your eye a moment of rest and softens this high contrast attraction.
Pairing red with Ultraviolet creates a rich, passionate moodiness that inspires many of us to step outside of our comfort zone. I know these embered tones can sometimes be a bit intimidating, but using variations of texture and material make this color combo more approachable. You can bring in soft textiles like a cozy throw using Craftsy Cloudborn yarn, velvets and linen via this Utahdesignworks inspiration, or Moroccan inspired tiles like these that I found on Pinterest . If you’re not quite ready to remodel your whole powder room, use tile work inspired accent pillows, coasters or serving dishes to get the effect.
I’m going to honest here, I really love bringing in a natural layer to my home design. There are many ways Mother Nature plays with our red and Ultra palette. I live in Arizona and I have a passion for the unusual colors and textures the desert landscape holds. I really enjoy Mackensie Gibson’s blog on Brit+Co ‘20 Weird Plants You Didn’t Know You Needed’ and these prickly pear cacti bring me joy!
The potted darling shown here is a type of oxalis known as Purple Shamrock, if you are ever on Jeopardy. This plant is supposed to be super easy to grow, I personally haven’t tried it, so don’t hold me to it! The deep rich undertone mixes of red and dark purple is just inspiring. Use this one with caution though. Its dramatic color and iconic leaf come with a warning: it is known to be poisonous for cats and dogs. So, not for my Maizy girl! For everyone else, this gal is a stunning way to bring Ultraviolet and red passion to your window sill.
So now you have some red and ultra inspiration. You can go as far as you want with the Ultraviolet universe at your fingertips. Whether it be with a simple potted plant or the first impression imprint of a red and purple entry. Simply be mindful. Be courageous. And let your purple passion shine.
Don’t forget to let me know what you think about this complicated relationship in the comments!
If I haven’t credited your work correctly, please contact me so that I can fix it. Any mistakes in this are are completely unintentional as I am figuring this stuff out. Thanks