And the winner is!  

Dammit!!
I was supposed to add this to a pre-existing thread about upholstering my chair when I click on the wrong thing!! So here's the pic again. Chair is on the right.

Huh?
That's weird-- in my universe, the "winner" is usually beige, or a jaunty oatmeal.

I think you need something a bit more ironic
...like zebra stripe, or denim, or burlap. Royal purple may just read as fancy/luxurious, which would pander to the chair style.

If this chair were mine
I'd cover it in something "Pop", like this (still Royal, but minus the purple):

I like color
I have lots of color in my home and beige would stick out like a sore thumb. Black is striking but I don't want it to look like there's a black hole in the room. I considered animal prints, especially doing a solid on the front and putting the print on the back. But, when I saw the purple chair at Conran's it got me thinking. Then I saw the pic at the top (with the carved door) on apartment therapy and that's when I made my decision.
I think it's an unexpected jolt of color and a zebra print pillow would look great on it or a leopard print pillow.

loool
i'm still thinking marimekko.

Jumping Jesus on a pogo...
Jumping Jesus on a pogo stick....I wouldn't know what to wear sitting on such a fabric! And if I wore nothing at all..well, all I can think of is the rash I'd probably have. If you've already purchased the textile, think about making it into an elegant smoking jacket with a matching bikini scarf. OUCH!

I like it! The second photo....
I like it! The second photo. Would be nice in mohair.
Bold classic prints i have seen are bit more fun, but
you seem to know what would fit with what you have...