One of the first rules you learn in color theory is that shades opposite each other on the color wheel make one another appear brighter. In art, this can be striking, but in interior design, these combinations can be a bit much. Thus, yellow and purple should never be seen together.
Pamela Shamshiri, Anne Hathaway's talented interior designer, didn't get the memo, and I'm so happy about it. The actress's living room seating idea features two purple sofas styled alongside a mustard yellow armchair, with a cobalt blue chair between them.
Far from looking overwhelming, the living room sofa idea is a creative and subtle approach to combining colors with a dynamic effect. As a celebrity style editor, I spend large portions of my day looking at beautiful homes, adding up to thousands over the years. However, I have to say, Shamshiri's take on pairing yellow and purple is the best version of pairing disparate colors I've ever seen.
Shop the Look
This gorgeous lilac sofa is a similar color and shape to the one in Anne Hathaway's living room. It would look gorgeous with a yellow throw blanket or pillows.
This stylish chenille throw is the ideal color contrast accent to a purple sofa. The relaxed feel can be easily paired with any style of room.
If you're not ready to commit to a full purple sofa, these sweet purple cushions are an easy way to integrate the color into your home. Match it with a yellow or cream sofa for a softer approach.
So, what makes these living room colors work here, where so many others have failed? First, the particular shades chosen are relatively subtle. Rather than a neon yellow and a royal purple, the more sophisticated combination of lilac and mustard keeps the mix from looking jarring or clownish.
Second, the colors are broken up. Keeping the purple on the sofa, with the yellow on a chair angled a few feet away, keeps the colors from clashing.
Instead, Shamshiri creates cohesion by weaving notes of each shade throughout other parts of the room. For instance, the wall paint has purply undertones, and the coffee table books in the center of the room have yellow spines.
Though we don't expect purple living room ideas to be the next big trend dominating the interiors space, this room is a reminder that taking a risk and breaking a rule can pay off. Sometimes the best design decisions lie in the unknown.
Anne Hathaway's living room has made me think about the combination of purple and yellow completely differently, and I don't think I can ever go back.
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
-
Hydroponic growing expert reveals the 5 easiest vegetables to grow in water – it's an affordable way to create an abundant kitchen gardenAll you need is a container, water, and a sunny windowsill
-
I just spent two days with my favorite interior designers in Palm Springs – these are the 3 key but easy-to-follow design rules I learned from exploring their recent projectA trip to a work in progress project with LALA Reimagined gave me so much decor inspiration I had to share my key learnings
-
The small, urban garden in Anne Hathaway's NYC home masters shade, privacy, and patio coverage in a very modern way – it's the best I've ever seenWith the right ideas, thoughtful design, and tough planting, an exposed roof terrace can become a leafy urban retreat for alfresco entertaining
-
Anne Hathaway's California meets Swiss Chalet living room is the coolest space I've seen this year – shop the eclectic look from $12We found the best pieces to emulate the transitional decor of Anne's aspirational living room, and unmissable discounts make them even more affordable
-
The anti-trend 'invisible kitchen' in Anne Hathaway's NYC apartment needs to be seen to be believed – it is an architectural masterpieceGramercy Design crafted an 'invisible kitchen' in Anne Hathaway's home, and it is getting the praise it deserves
-
Anne Hathaway's Met Gala outfit is the reason why everyone will be decorating with this pattern trend at home, and I predict it will have a revival in 2026
The pattern that never goes out of style comes in a variety of guises – ranging from nostalgic to modern – and all of them are simply stunning
-
Anne Hathaway's statement lighting brings a luxe ambience to her dining space – but top designers say it won't work in every homeThe actress elevated the dining space in her former NY apartment with an ultra-modern lighting fixture – you can get the look, if your space allows
-
Anne Hathaway's unique maximalist living room vs. Kim Kardashian's ultra-minimalist space – which one works best?
Anne Hathaway's old money-style living room and Kim Kardashian's cool, modern living room could not be more different – but both have their benefits
-
Anne Hathaway's Hamptons-inspired NY patio has rebooted an anti-color trend I thought I was over – these 3 easy-to-find buys will bag you the look, tooThe black furniture on the actress's New York terrace doesn't look dark – instead, it invites visual interest and intrigue to the pied-a-terre
-
Anne Hathaway's 'uber-modern' kitchen shelving is the stuff of minimalist dreams – it is worthy of the finest art galleriesGramercy Design used open shelving to introduce a delightful decorative moment to Anne Hathaway's white kitchen
