How to decorate with lilac – 2023’s sexiest colour
Shot through with lime or set against metallics, lilac is shaking off its dainty associations in favour of a tougher attitude
Pairing citric green with lilac was a move first seen on the catwalks of Paris, Milan and New York, and is now making great strides into the hottest interiors. The colours – sugared-almond shades of lilac, lavender, lime and apple – are drawn straight from nature, but their pastel prettiness is transformed by slick metal elements, whether it’s a console table or a coffee pot.
The magic happens in the interplay between textures and surfaces, a dynamic dialogue that’s full of energy. There might be some retro sci-fi references, a distinctive nod to the Y2K revival that continues at full pace, but this aesthetic is firmly future-facing.
‘Omeshi’ curtain fabric, Sahco
With Creative Director Bengt Thornefors at the helm, historic fabric house Sahco is now producing some of the most innovative textiles around, and this curtain fabric is a perfect example. Made in Austria from recycled polyester, its mesh-like surface has a delicate yet edgy feel. It has a slight sheen as well as filtering light beautifully. The sugary ‘0641’ lilac shade is our favourite. £180 per m, kvadrat.dk
‘Lowboy’ side table, Paul Kelly Designs
As much a piece of postmodern sculpture as a practical item of furniture, Paul Kelly’s fluoro-yellow side table might be placed in a corner, but it certainly won’t be overlooked. The acid shade will cut through a pastel palette while the clean geometric lines underline its boldly contemporary attitude. Price on application, pk-designs.co.uk
‘Ara’ sofa, Missana
With its vivid colour and compact form, Perez Ochando’s ‘Ara’ sofa for Missana is just the thing to add a pop of colour to a window nook or living room corner. Its high back creates a cocooning feel while the built in side table is the perfect place for a glass of wine or cup of coffee. From £5,315, pamono.co.uk
‘Bouclé’ rug, Nordic Knots
The subtle silver gleam of this beautifully tactile bouclé rug strikes the perfect balance between timeless and modern. Limited runs in each size are made from hand-carded New Zealand wool, so each has natural variations in tone and feels incredibly soft underfoot. From £395, nordicknots.com
Cultured marble surface, Versital
Striking a satisfying balance between the traditional and the unapologetically modern, this classic marble is reimagined in a futuristic purple shade, shot through with soft swirls of white. Use it as a splashback to add a playful edge to a stainless steel kitchen. From £387 per sq m, versital.co.uk
‘Crystal’ candleholder, SCP
We love the crisp angles and edgy combination of mint and violet in SCP’s crystal candleholder. Place it on a mantlepiece or sideboard to instantly inject some fresh energy into a room. £44, scp.co.uk
‘Kerastar’ tile, Johnson Tiles
This unglazed tile in the bold ‘Mustard Matt’ comes in a wide range of shapes and sizes, allowing you to create a completely unique look and inject a pop of citric energy into a lilac scheme. From £142 per sq m, johnson-tiles.com
‘Knuckle’ table lamp, Hem
David Taylor’s ‘Knuckle’ lights are inspired by his signature bent extruded aluminium art pieces, and strike a satisfying balance between the organic and the geometric in their form. Despite the strength and rawness of the material, each lamp has a certain softness to its shape and brushed, matte finish which would bring a new dimension to a lavender and lime interior. £333, hem.com
‘Monterey’ desk, Montana
Peter J Lassen’s ‘Monterey’ desk comes in a rainbow of different colour options but its ‘Iris’ that ticks the boxes for this particular trend. Its straightforward, uncomplicated silhouette is uncompromisingly modern, but the vibrant lilac hue adds a playful edge. Approx £1115, montanafurniture.com
‘Phantom’ glass dish, Earl of East
The organic process of glass blowing defines the final form of Ursula Futura’s juicy lime green dish. Ideal for serving snacks or as a decorative statement in its own right, each piece is unique in shape. £190, earlofeast.com
‘Multi Sideboard’, Bisley
Boasting powder-coated steel hairpin legs and sliding doors in a soft shade of lilac, Bisley’s super-versatile sideboard will look just as at home in a living room or hallway as in a study. There’s plenty of storage space to neatly conceal everyday clutter and the clean lines and mid-century styling of the piece will suit every kind of interior, from classic to contemporary. £295, bisley.com
‘PK4’ lounge chair, Fritz Hansen
A true design classic, Poul Kjærholm’s 1952 design has an almost weightless quality thanks to its minimalist steel structure. In the polished stainless steel finish, it has a timeless elegance that will suit any interior. £2,226, fritzhansen.com
‘Ronko Hibiscus’ small cushion, Glassette
Printed on Killary linen and handmade in the UK, Dar Leone’s colourful printed cushion is a charming celebration of the hibiscus flower which blooms all over Sierra Leone where brand founder Isatu Funna spent her childhood. £72, glassette.com
‘Stellar’ wallcovering, Arte
Both luxurious and industrial, this wallcovering is part of Arte’s ‘Metal X’ collection and is made of real metal foil with an oxidised effect. While it comes in typical metallic shades of bronze, gold and silver, it’s this pastel lilac shade that makes it feel fresh and unusual. £75 per m, arte-international.com
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