Red-Letter Day
Heed the latest fashion advice - your home is ready for a lively new mood, and red is the right color for the job
Drama Queen: Energize any living space with the boldness of a red lighting fixture. Such a dramatic addition is, if nothing else, a fail-safe conversation-starter. Image courtesy Studio Italia Design
If you've had it with boring, ho-hum neutrals, it's time to rejoice. The economic crisis is waning, optimism is starting to creep back in vogue and the nation is ready for a fresh new mood.
Capture this feeling of brightness in your home with shades of red for every room.
That's right, red - the color of passion, life, energy and strength. It was huge on the runways of September 2009's New York Fashion Week, and Pantone, international color authority, recently selected their hue "Tomato Purée" as a color trend for spring 2010.
"Red has tremendous appeal," says Claire Watkins, ASID designer and founder of Claire Watkins Interior Design in Atlanta. "Used in the flags of countries all over the world, the shade has a universal appeal and fits in with a huge variety of décor styles. Unlike so many other trending colors, the hue remains simultaneously classic and modern all at once."
Red has such a strong visual impact, however, it can be difficult to use in your home. You can either overdo it or use it so liberally it looks out of place. Jackie Jordan, director of color marketing for Sherwin-Williams paints, suggests using it as for eye-catching accents, either with paint or accessories like pillows or rugs.
"Red is so powerful it can create eye fatigue," says Jordan. "It is a warm and exciting color and you must be sure the space you place it in is one where you want the mood to reflect that energy."
Try enlivening the areas where you entertain, like the dining or living room, with several red accents or a striking red focal piece. Red paint in the kitchen or dining room will spice any meal just by its strong visual vibrations.
"Red increases your appetite," says Jordan. "Using it in areas like kitchens and dining rooms may promote exciting conversation and make your guests hungry to sample your culinary creations."
You shouldn't forget the neutrals entirely, however. Red is often at its most beautiful when paired with subtle browns or ashy greens.
As the color of passion, the bedroom may seem like an obvious choice for an infusion of red - try burgundy sheets or throw pillows. Don't go overboard though; the energy of the color may cause fights.
Be cautious with the sensory stimuli, too. "In an over-abundance or paired with other equally dramatic touches like animal prints or gold, red can be cheapened," Watkins says.
Red is a powerful color, but don't be scared of it. Using the right amount of the right hue, in the places you want to accent or draw the eye, can really bring your home to life.
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