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Splashes of Red
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia. I've been writing about design online for quite a few years over at Hatch: The Design Public Blog.
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta... More »
Using red in decor takes courage, but it can pay off in a big bold way. You don't have to go completely Diana Vreeland/Billy Baldwin "garden in hell", but you can look to her fabulous red room for inspiration and take a touch here and there.
Red works so well with so many colors. For me, I love touches of red with touches of turquoise. Seeing it with black and white always reminds me of Duran Duran's John Taylor, because back when I was 12 and I bought every copy of "Bop" and "Tiger Beat" with his picture in it, they listed black, white and red as his favorite color combination. Did I just say that out loud?
Red is also fantastic when it's the only color in a sea of white. It's perfect with other primary colors. When paired with purple, we're right back into Jane Fonda's workout video (some of my most stylish friends have been using purple and red lately, so I think it's about to make a huge mainstream comeback as a combo). When paired with brown, it's creates a feel of exotic spice. With blue and white, it's nautical chic and in many countries, downright patriotic.
Whatever color you decide to pair with red, I don't really think you can go wrong. Just think of it as paprika:
"I’m a great believer in vulgarity- if it’s got vitality. A little bad taste is like a nice splash of paprika. We all need a splash of bad taste- it’s hearty, it’s healthy, it’s physical. I think we could use more of it. No taste is what I’m against.” - Diana Vreeland
Red works so well with so many colors. For me, I love touches of red with touches of turquoise. Seeing it with black and white always reminds me of Duran Duran's John Taylor, because back when I was 12 and I bought every copy of "Bop" and "Tiger Beat" with his picture in it, they listed black, white and red as his favorite color combination. Did I just say that out loud?
Red is also fantastic when it's the only color in a sea of white. It's perfect with other primary colors. When paired with purple, we're right back into Jane Fonda's workout video (some of my most stylish friends have been using purple and red lately, so I think it's about to make a huge mainstream comeback as a combo). When paired with brown, it's creates a feel of exotic spice. With blue and white, it's nautical chic and in many countries, downright patriotic.
Whatever color you decide to pair with red, I don't really think you can go wrong. Just think of it as paprika:
"I’m a great believer in vulgarity- if it’s got vitality. A little bad taste is like a nice splash of paprika. We all need a splash of bad taste- it’s hearty, it’s healthy, it’s physical. I think we could use more of it. No taste is what I’m against.” - Diana Vreeland
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| Whoever designed this kitchen understands the paprika principle. |
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Here we're seeing the exotic spice side of red.
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Red tones in the rug and light fixture add warmth to this room.
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Red closet doors completely change the mood of this bedroom.
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These tiles are so glossy, sleek and bold.
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Let's zoom out and get a look at the overall effect.
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| A sculptural red vase is the only piece allowed that's out of the strict black, white and yellow palette here. |
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by Rina Magen
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| I don't even know what this is, but I admit I am intrigued. |
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I wonder if I love glossy red on furniture because it reminds me of glossy red nail polish? It's so sexy!
| Red livens up a sea of neutrals here. Each red element grabs our attention. |
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This is so fabulous I can't even stand it.
by CIH Design
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Peacock blues and red are a glamorous combination.
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| Red is superb with light grays... |
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| ...charcoal grays, and black. |
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| Sharon Portnoy has mastered the art of putting in pops of primary colors. |
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She adds an unexpected bit of red in the kitchen.
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Here red and purple are a cheerful surprise.
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My friend Richard recently painted this old dresser purple and added a red frame on top (I don't know what is going on with the masked bust, but that's his grandma with Burt Reynolds in the photo back in her wild days - how awesome is that?).
Comments
Rough Linen Does that make Richard's grandma a red hot momma?
3 years ago · Like
Becky Harris Apparently! Red hot mama in a red frame!
3 years ago · Like
Karen Schaefer Louw Red Media Room 
3 years ago · Like
Artisan Kitchens LLC Red doesn't always need to be used in a contemporary way... 
3 years ago · Like
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Karen Evans With some colors like red or purple or orange, a little goes a long, long way. I love the hints of red like the matching lamps and the red painted interior of the kitchen cabinet. My son wanted red walls, his favorite color, in his room. I compromised and painted red stripes on an accent wall behind his bed. 
3 years ago · Like
Roberta Philbrick I agree...red is warm and wonderful in all rooms. It's the accent color in my bathroom and feels very french...ohh la la 
3 years ago · Like
UPSTAGING YOUR HOMES The splash of red adds fun to this b&w kitchen re-design I did 
3 years ago · Like
UPSTAGING YOUR HOMES Benjamin Moore Rhubarb added the punch I wanted for this entry hall 
3 years ago · Like
Global Living Red is always a sexy color to dress up your home or yourself! Great blog!
3 years ago · Like
Fine Art & Portraits by Laurel Thank you, Becky! Red is about life and energy! Who wants to live in a bland, passionless world? 
3 years ago · Like
Living Vintage A whole room in red would be too much, in my opinion, but I love touches of red. I was a bit worried that my mudroom floors would be too, too much red, but I think it turned out nicely.
by Living Vintage
by Living Vintage
Project: Alto mudroom3 months ago · Like
Ideabook updated on May 22, 2010.
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