Awesome Violet
What Awesome Violet Actually Looks Like
Awesome Violet is a soft, mid-toned periwinkle that sits right at the crossroads of blue and violet. Think of a faded denim shirt washed so many times it picked up a lavender cast. It reads airy without being washed out, and at LRV 45 it lands squarely in the medium-light range, bright enough to open up a room but saturated enough to make a real color statement. In person the violet lean is more obvious than the hex might suggest, especially on a large wall.
Awesome Violet Undertones
The dominant undertone here is blue, and it is firmly cool. But the thing that makes Awesome Violet interesting is a definite purple push that shows up under warm incandescent light. Some designers call it a true periwinkle, others land closer to a dusty blue-violet. In north-facing rooms the blue side takes over and it can read almost like a soft chambray. In south-facing rooms with warm afternoon light, the violet comes forward and the color feels more romantic. If you are sensitive to purple tones in your blues, test a large swatch first, because this one will not stay strictly blue.
Where Awesome Violet Works Best
Bedrooms are the natural home for this color. The cool blue base is calming, and the violet undertone adds just enough warmth to keep it from feeling clinical. It also works well in bathrooms, especially paired with white tile, where it creates a clean, spa-like feel. In a living room, use it on an accent wall to add depth without overwhelming the space. On exteriors, Awesome Violet can be a surprisingly effective body color for cottages or coastal homes, particularly when trimmed in a crisp white. Avoid it in windowless rooms or basements where the lack of natural light can make the violet undertone go muddy.
Where to put Awesome Violet
Paint all four walls in Awesome Violet and keep your trim Pure White. The result is restful without being boring. Linen bedding in warm ivory or soft blush adds the right contrast, and the color looks especially good behind a simple wood headboard. At LRV 45 it will not swallow light from bedside lamps the way a deeper blue would.
Use Awesome Violet above white wainscoting or subway tile for a clean two-tone look. The cool undertones echo water and sky, which feels right in a bathroom. Chrome fixtures reinforce the cool palette, while brushed brass adds a pleasing tension. Keep towels white or soft gray for a pulled-together look.
In a living room, Awesome Violet works best as an accent wall or in a room with plenty of natural light. Pair it with a warm neutral on the remaining walls to prevent the space from feeling too cool. A camel leather sofa or warm wood coffee table gives the room some grounding warmth.
This is the low-commitment move, and it works well. Paint one wall in Awesome Violet behind a bookshelf or media console and keep the rest in a warm white or soft cream. The violet undertone becomes a quiet focal point without dominating the room.
On an exterior, Awesome Violet reads more blue than violet in direct sunlight. Pair it with bright white trim and a darker navy or charcoal door for contrast. It suits Cape Cod or cottage styles particularly well. Be aware that it may shift noticeably between shaded and sun-hit sides of the house.
What to Pair With Awesome Violet
Pure White (SW 7005) is listed as a coordinating color and it is the right instinct. A clean, balanced white on trim and ceilings keeps Awesome Violet looking fresh rather than dusty. Beyond that default pairing, consider warm metallics like brass or gold hardware to play against the cool undertones, or layer in natural wood tones to ground the room.
Awesome Violet vs similar colors
All comparisons are matched against Awesome Violet at LRV 45.0.
Colors that clash with Awesome Violet
Without enough natural or artificial light, the violet undertone can turn grayish and flat, making the walls look dingy rather than colorful.
Yellow-based trim colors clash with the cool blue-violet base and can make both colors look off. The trim looks dirty and Awesome Violet looks overly purple.
People expecting a straightforward blue are sometimes surprised by how much violet shows up, especially in evening light.
Common questions
The LRV is 45, which places it in the medium-light range. It reflects enough light to keep a room feeling open but carries enough pigment to register as a real color on the wall.
It depends on the light. In daylight and north-facing rooms it leans more blue. Under warm incandescent or evening light the violet undertone comes forward. Most people describe it as a periwinkle that shifts between the two.
Pure White (SW 7005) is the go-to choice. It is clean enough to contrast with the blue-violet without introducing any competing warmth. Avoid cream or ivory trims, which can clash with the cool undertones.
Yes. In direct sunlight it reads more blue than violet, which can be a plus. Pair it with bright white trim and test a large sample on the actual siding, because exterior colors always look lighter and less saturated than indoor swatches.