Scared of purple? Think of it as plum, amethyst or eggplant, and use with the right companion colors

Whatever shade you choose — lilac, plum, mauve or aubergine — purple makes a statement

Decadent and different, purples from lavender to plum can make a dining area a treat for the eyes

Hot now: Purples swiped from dusky sunsets and wildflowers

Tall purple blooms bridge color gaps, contrast round flower forms and make for intriguing masses in the landscape

Little-girl dreams find grown-up expression in rooms that work pink and purple into chic and sophisticated palettes

Eggplant purple on walls or furniture offers a rewarding payoff: confident, luxurious rooms in homes from traditional to modern

Are shades of grape, eggplant, lavender and plum the most daring colors for a home’s exterior?

Lie down with lavender or wake up to vivid violet for a bedroom that both calms and energizes

Make a plum wall come alive with art, warm metals, ivory, chartreuse, natural wood — and at least one wild card