Color Me Pretty: Purple Hues
Hello and happy Monday to you! It is Leslie here with September’s Color Me Pretty column. This time around I am using muted purple, cream, grey, silver and a touch of black. I was reminded of some of these colors in Holly’s post here where she discusses a décor possibility for her new home, which she moves into this week! The palette was inspired by Sibella Court’s paint line which I am sure most of you have checked out on her website. I tried using this palette loosely in a much smaller scale with a few little projects to get your creative wheels turning.
I have been seeing many of these colors appearing in my catalog pile as well and, once again I can’t help but tear out images. They are clipped into my journals, stuck onto my mood board and taped on my wall for further inspiration. Today you will see images in my photographs from the Noa Noa, J.Crew, and Himla catalogs.
Purple hues seem to dominate the flowers in my garden too, like lavender, salvia, geraniums, verbena and solanum. I plucked a few sprigs and popped them into my vintage Amethyst bottles for the series. For some of the bottles I put on a little white paper with Japanese silver tape to balance out all the purple. You could tape any patterned paper on any kind of glass vase or jar for a similar effect. It is simple and shows you do not need to spend much time or money on flowers to have a nice display for your home.
I had fun using my watercolors to create little studies on small 2” by 3” cards. Sometimes it is nice to do really small creative steps towards a larger project, especially if you are feeling stuck or unmotivated. Like myself, when it is 95 degrees and I have no air conditioning in my studio! As I painted, stitched and glued sequins on these little cards I began to feel inspired and ready to work on the entire photo series. Do you have suggestions on how you get motivated for your creative work?
I hope you have enjoyed the series today and I look forward to seeing you back here next month. Take care, Leslie.
(images: leslie shewring)
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September 27th, 2010 at 4:20pm
Purple, gray, cream, violet – it all looks FABULOUS! another stunning post, Leslie! however I’m enamored more than ever with these colors, the styling you did left me speechless!
Ludmila {creamylife.com}´s last [type] ..NewsMonthly style boardSerbian made
September 27th, 2010 at 4:21pm
So calming and beautiful :-).
nina´s last [type] ..Fuchsia- Black Flats Bridesmaids Style
September 27th, 2010 at 4:28pm
Beautiful colors! I love those paint swatches! As a writer, I usually get inspired by talking a walk or a long drive. I can clear my head and let go, and the words start pouring in!
Anna og green gable´s last [type] ..sexy librarian
September 27th, 2010 at 4:33pm
Beautiful colors! I love those paint swatches! As a writer, I usually get inspired by talking a walk or a long drive. I can clear my head and let go, and the words start pouring in!
(oops! reposted with correct spelling!)
Anna of green gable´s last [type] ..sexy librarian
September 27th, 2010 at 4:35pm
This is really inspiring, Leslie! Purple is such a lovely color, and I can’t seem to get enough of it these days :)
Thank you for brighting up this Monday with these gorgeous photos!
Wish you a wonderful day!
Now I’m heading over to BYW class :)
Nina
STYLIZIMO´s last [type] .. The sweetness of Sundays
September 27th, 2010 at 4:36pm
Oh Leslie! this is extremely well done… it feels like autumn… I can picture myself wearing a pretty grey skirt with lavender pantyhose (is it how it is called?) and walking in the streets of Paris :)
Nope I am still in Singapore, sweating under the sun… and most definitely wearing light cotton dresses…
Loving all the Japanese papers as well!
etincellestudio´s last [type] ..3 Inspiration board
September 27th, 2010 at 4:37pm
Oh Leslie….this is absolutely gorgeous. So fresh and light and just beautiful…love these colors together and your watercolors are just perfect. I am so inspired by the sibella court book & her paint line. Love seeing your beautiful inspiration.
xo
Melis
Melissa de la Fuente´s last [type] ..Monday inspiration
September 27th, 2010 at 4:39pm
This is such a beautiful and uplifting post. Exactly what I need to combat a grey London afternoon. Cheers xo
Ijeoma´s last [type] ..Honizukle Monday
September 27th, 2010 at 4:42pm
Beautiful as always! I love the flowers and the packaging and of course the color scheme :) I usually get to play around with creative things on the weekend. Before I get to the fun stuff, I must get my other chores done (laundry and cleaning, etc) which I speed through and then I can focus on the fun crafty things the rest of the time :) Thanks for these beauties on this Monday morning!
City Chic – Jamie´s last [type] ..Weekend Hunting
September 27th, 2010 at 4:45pm
Simply stunning! Love the small touches of Japanese pattern in both tape and paper. That watercolour bunting wrapping paper is delightful. The sweet cards… I could go on!
I’ll have visions in purple the rest of the day! Thanks.
September 27th, 2010 at 4:46pm
Great ideas/suggestions. Beautiful, as all of your work is! Thank you, Leslie.
Best to you,
Sondra
September 27th, 2010 at 4:59pm
I can´t get enough of the color me pretty series – I just adore it!! It´s such a pleasure to look at your styling Leslie and your wonderful skills at putting color palettes together – you just amaze me!!
When I feel lack of creativity I take a break and relax – I go flat out on the sofa with a good film or a book – or I take a long walk in the woods with my dog or maybe I take a cup of coffee to the beach and just sit there letting my thoughts run free. I have found that relaxing is my fastest way to getting my ideas coming again :-)
Have a great day :-)
Christina´s last [type] ..Sunday Dreams Macarons and blog love
September 27th, 2010 at 5:02pm
Purple and plum hues definitely seem to be the new colors of the year…
laura trevey´s last [type] ..Monday Inspiration
September 27th, 2010 at 5:11pm
Leslie, your photos are beautiful!!!! Would you have imagined making a career as a photographer one day? you have so much talent and the beauty inside you reflects in your photos.
ishtar´s last [type] ..Inspiration monday
September 27th, 2010 at 5:15pm
I love how calm and soothing these colors are. Today I’m struggling with motivation, and so am looking at pretty pictures on lovely blogs:)
Bobbi´s last [type] ..Creating
September 27th, 2010 at 6:17pm
My favourite colour! Thank you for making my day, I can look at these photos over and over again:)
September 27th, 2010 at 6:18pm
Beautiful as always!
September 27th, 2010 at 6:18pm
SO pretty! I absolutely love your inspiration boards!
September 27th, 2010 at 6:19pm
Okay Holly, I’m not going to do it this time. But Leslie, I’m *thisclose* to saying that this is my favorite Color Me Pretty yet :)
I love the hand painted gift wrap idea, so pretty and so personal. I’m going to have to stash that away in the idea bank for future reference.
michelle´s last [type] ..Reader Question- Becoming an Interior Designer
September 27th, 2010 at 6:26pm
I love purple and all of these images are so beautiful.. especially love the last one :)
ANNIE´s last [type] ..Naturally Clean- Club Soda
September 27th, 2010 at 6:41pm
I love your work, Leslie. Purple, gray, cream, violet – so favorite colors here. Thank you for the inspiration. ;)
xoxo,
radostina
raru´s last [type] ..♥ Photography spot- William Waldron ♥
September 27th, 2010 at 6:52pm
Leslie these are yummy once again! Love the idea of a mini 2×3 as it isn’t so overwhelming to fill it when you get that blank canvas block! and Sibella Court’s paint line and her site are exquisite- thanx for sharing!
Julie the Alkaline Sister´s last [type] ..Fresh corn- pinto bean and heirloom cherry tomato salad & Why you should only eat fresh picked corn or Not
September 27th, 2010 at 6:58pm
A question for Leslie…
Hi Leslie! I’m just wondering, when you paint paper that is used for wrapping paper, what kind of paper are you using? It sort of looks like butcher paper or craft paper. I’m wondering how the paint does on it.
thanks!
Amy
September 27th, 2010 at 7:09pm
Beautiful as always and it’s so calming too!! Purple isn’t a color I normally gravitate towards – I think it’s because I overdid the color when I was little!! But lavender with greys and creams is so serene and pretty!
Piper´s last [type] ..black white and cool all over
September 27th, 2010 at 7:21pm
Just a gorgeous layout. So calm and soothing. It made me a take a deep breath and relax. Love your little watercolors you do. Great ideas and such a source for inspiration.
When I need motivation for a project or a new idea I take a long walk in the park with my dog. I always see things that inspire me in nature.
Jacilyn´s last [type] ..practical magic- part three
September 27th, 2010 at 7:35pm
Yay! Lavendar is my favorite color.
Brigitte´s last [type] ..When to Stop Buying and Start Doing
September 27th, 2010 at 7:47pm
I love this color… purple!!!!
September 27th, 2010 at 7:51pm
I love purple in the garden. My Jackmanii clematis yields hundreds of huge purple blooms each June, and I surround the bottom with lavender.
nichole´s last [type] ..Black and Tan
September 27th, 2010 at 7:59pm
Oh how lovely… amazing!! Im falling in love with this purple colour!! wow!
Patricia Torres´s last [type] ..One more cozy corner!!
September 27th, 2010 at 8:10pm
Thanks to a visit from Mr. Fall, the lack of air conditioning in my studio is less of a problem today … the thought of sizing a big project down to get the creative juices flowing is one I can’t wait to try.
sonya mccllough´s last [type] ..Blacklite Sunday
September 27th, 2010 at 8:41pm
It is all so beautiful! This is one of my favorite color combinations right now. I keep going back to it over and over. Leslie, if you want the new Noa Noa ads just let me know. My daughter insists on having her own copy so she can “play” so I can always grab one more! I think Noa Noa is my favorite clothing store in Denmark. Aren’t their clothes gorgeous?
Traveling Mama´s last [type] ..for the little man
September 27th, 2010 at 9:00pm
when I see these great pics I think about changing my favorite color red in to purple….. love it
OrangeFarmhouse – Maike´s last [type] ..Zuuz – Ellen Nij Bijvank
September 27th, 2010 at 9:06pm
LOVE this post and I really LOVE the color purple!
September 27th, 2010 at 10:07pm
Great post! I love the hues in the first and last pics.
September 27th, 2010 at 10:21pm
i am so happy that all shades of purple have made a comeback in recent years…seems like purple went through a very long “unpopular” phase!
to get creative – first, i try to mark everything of my “to do” list so that i can be fully focused. next, put on a favorite c.d. or jazz station. last, sing + create!
September 27th, 2010 at 10:26pm
Beautiful; light and fresh and yet a hint of fall. Looking forward to next month!
Iris´s last [type] ..Subtiel
September 27th, 2010 at 11:06pm
Lovely! I have finally “got into” purple in the last year and now loving it. The dish with the sparkle canisters in gorgeous!
September 27th, 2010 at 11:29pm
Thank you for your ideas and comments!!! :)
Amy -I just used plain old butcher/craft type paper I had. The water color does its own thing on it…sort of like painting on plain printer paper. This is what makes it fun,fast and a mystery as you never know how it will look!
leslie´s last [type] ..Color Me Pretty Time
September 28th, 2010 at 12:16am
So pretty! I love your post, Leslie. I just did a post, this past weekend, about purple – I’m with you, it’s a gorgeous colour!
janis – pinecone camp´s last [type] ..Baked on Monday – Jam Buns
September 28th, 2010 at 12:34am
Your pictures are really inspirational. I love the last image as I’m a big fan of upcycling glass jars and they really do make beautiful vases.
I become motivated when I come across beautiful things/images (but I’m in the process of sharpening and increasing my awareness of all the beautiful things that we’re surrounded by every day).
Joanne @ eBoutique.ie´s last [type] ..Local Scenes
September 28th, 2010 at 12:35am
Oh, how I love purple and lilac! Lovely work, as usual! It’s one of the colors that I chose for my birthday party decoration, so this post it’s just in time for me! :-) Thanks, Leslie (and Holly ;-))!
Susana´s last [type] ..Candle in the wind
September 28th, 2010 at 12:36am
Love, love, love this post! Probably one of my faves so far from Leslie. These purples are just luscious.
Melanie´s last [type] ..Doodle Diary Not Just for Girls
September 28th, 2010 at 1:36am
I love the colors, and the PATTERNS are making me swoon!!
Mona Kay at Home´s last [type] ..Front Corner Continued
September 28th, 2010 at 2:01am
oh yum! i love these colors!
laura.
September 28th, 2010 at 2:41am
leslie, i think one of my favorite things that i keep getting glimpses of in your photographs are your little delicate watercolors…i just keep wanting to see more….
September 28th, 2010 at 2:45am
iIt all looks FABULOUS!!
Really inspiring…
September 28th, 2010 at 3:07am
These photos are sooo gorgeous…and the colors are very inspiring! Makes me feeling so happy. Have a lovely merry happy week and lovve to you!
jacqueline´s last [type] ..a warm blanket for your baby
September 28th, 2010 at 3:18am
one more thing to add…
I love the little bottles in the last shot, and that tray is adorable too.This is such an inspiring post. I’m new to your “colour me pretty” series – love it.
janis – pinecone camp´s last [type] ..Baked on Monday – Jam Buns
September 28th, 2010 at 3:28am
Lovely colours, fresh and strong. I saw watercolours… and a great selection of pictures.
September 28th, 2010 at 4:55am
You always have the most beautiful images. Very inspiring!
September 28th, 2010 at 5:08am
Purple can be so calming and at the same time a rather posh colour too! Beautiful images!
September 28th, 2010 at 5:13am
hi! i really like your artwork! do you mind if i post your pictures in my tumblr? i will credit you, because i’m not a fan of plagiarism and i strongly wants creators to get their credits.
i’m using it as inspiration for my work pieces in future.
Thanks! :D
September 28th, 2010 at 6:05am
Leslie – you are such an inspiration! I posted a three panel collage of purple flowers I took in London… it must be a purple kind of day! for a lot of people.
Truth is – this is a busy, busy week at work (50+ hourse – urrgghh!) & I knew our Central California coastline was to have record high temperatures… so I pulled three of my favorite flower pics together in hopes it would make me feel cooler! it did….. several co-workers checked my blog from work & one printed the pics for her desk….
I’m so enjoying your lessons on photography, styling, color choice, texture & layout.
September 28th, 2010 at 6:06am
oops – I meant Holly — but was commenting on Leslie’s work
christine´s last [type] ..A PURPLE DAY!
September 28th, 2010 at 6:25am
Purple is a color that travels into every season and looks good year round in the home…and has the most beautiful shade gradients.
September 28th, 2010 at 8:22am
This is wonderful! I especially love the moodboard, and the flowers in those bottles are amazing!
September 28th, 2010 at 8:45am
leslie, not only these tones are absolutely gorgeous but your photographs and compositions are magic … i am starting my day beautifuly !!
flowing moments´s last [type] ..les vendanges
September 28th, 2010 at 9:45am
So much to take in, as usual. This will definitely be a post I’ll come back to and certainly am looking forward to seeing the round-up with bonuses on your own blog. I am especially drawn to the little cup with words/sayings on it and filled with rolls of thread. As always, all quite inspiring and beautiful.
Minnie´s last [type] ..A fabulous way to store books
September 28th, 2010 at 9:49am
Oh Leslie, it’s so great that you’ve chosen these colors this time! These are the colors for my wedding next week and I’m still searching for some ideas for this special day. Thank you so much, this post is so inspiring for me.
caro´s last [type] ..wo and wé collection
September 28th, 2010 at 10:30am
J’aime beaucoup ces couleurs… de quoi s’inspirer pour Noël!
September 28th, 2010 at 10:50am
Beautiful colors!^^
September 28th, 2010 at 12:58pm
I have never been a big purple fan but the colour has really caught my eye recently. It seems to be creeping in from a few directions so much so I am thinking of redecorating my bedroom in some soft purple tones. The second last picture in your post with the reels of thread and what looks like felt flowers is my new inspiration shot to start of decorating project.
Thank you again for a beautiful series love it!
Leslie´s last [type] ..Inspiration All Around
September 28th, 2010 at 1:29pm
Oh this is amazing!!! I love every piece of it… and every time i see a mood board like this one, all these images… i wish to jump into these rooms and feel the fresh & hued breeze! :) Lovely work, Leslie, lovely work!!! Hugs, Twiggs
September 28th, 2010 at 6:58pm
It’s amazing how inspiring a beautifully done series of photos can be! I am ready to pull out my paints, vases, cut some flowers, clip some magazines and do some gorgeous things! Thank you!
September 29th, 2010 at 12:18am
swoon swoon swoon
September 29th, 2010 at 12:41am
I never get sick of look at your work. It’s calming and refreshing. Great job!
September 29th, 2010 at 5:15am
Purple is just Gorgeous!! Absolutely Gorgeous!!
As for how I get my creativity flowing, I usually get out my sketch book and start there… but I like to work on a couple of project simutaneously so that I can switch back and forth between them, when I feel stuck on one just switch gears and go to the other.
For the Love..´s last [type] ..Felt Flowers
September 29th, 2010 at 1:29pm
Fabulous colours Leslie – I am working on two events at the moment that are using the colour purple so this is wonderful inspiration for me and I have recently purchased a new rug and cushions in purple tones – looking at your work is getting me motivated to be creative – now all I need is a little more time! Leanne x
Leanne Ambrogio´s last [type] ..Seed Child Wardrobe Inspriation
September 29th, 2010 at 5:22pm
just beautiful!
September 29th, 2010 at 7:59pm
Wow! The paint chips on your board are the perfect color combination for a project I’m currently working on. You have managed to do everything I would love to do for each of my projects, but never seem to have the time. Perhaps seeing your color work will help me to make the time. I forget what an impact the end result can have… although I can only hope to do it as artfully as you have. Thanks for the inspiration!
September 30th, 2010 at 4:29am
Love the Purple inspiration! Purple seems to be the colour of the moment! I have a gorgeous love seat that was my grandmothers and she had it covered in purple velvet. It is just stunning. She would have had it done in the 50′s. She had STYLE and was quite eccentric.
Jess (Where My Heart Is)´s last [type] ..Final 2 days to enter Giveaway!
September 30th, 2010 at 11:55am
This post must have totally consumed my mind !!! When I walked into a shop, the 3 vases in this same colour just begged me to buy them !!! This is all I could see after your colour inspiration ! Thanks
ilze´s last [type] ..The CLOCK is ticking…
October 1st, 2010 at 7:30pm
So, so beautiful. I am especially drawn to purples! I really enjoy seeing your watercolor studies and process. It’s so inspiring! I also LOVED all your lessons in the BYW class. Thank you so much! xo
Ivy´s last [type] ..Vicarious Vacations 2- Ronda- Spain
October 2nd, 2010 at 12:07pm
Leslie
What can I say that has not already been said ! Love the purple colors and images and my favorite as always are you flowers. Thank you :)
Charlie
October 3rd, 2010 at 6:32am
Beautiful, stylish photos in a nice setting. So reflective, moody, elegant!
I like the colour combinations and the ideas. Well done!
Anna @ Around My Table´s last [type] ..Just around the corner – Halloween
May 5th, 2012 at 12:29am
Purple is my favorite color :) The gorgeous flowers from your garden tied into your work perfectly!