I just painted a room that flaming orange color, and to my surprise, it looks good with a variety of colors.

But in looking carefully at those beautiful room photos, it's not so random as you think. You can see it's actually an analogous color scheme that's going on there: red, orange, yellow in the guise of rose, flame, copper, & golds. There is the fabulous white woodwork & decor style to help tie it all together, and bits of blue & green here & there to provide punch. What a delight to look at -- thanks for the lovely eye candy, stinky_g!

I love the way people take a chance and get it right. Savannah knows how to do it right. I love that town with all it's fabulous townhouses and squares.

Thanks Stinky.

If you keep going, there is another shot of the same "flaming orange" room, although the sun is not hitting it and it is very subdued, almost a clay color, but still gorgeous!

What a gorgeous place! It's a perfect combination of exquisite taste and the money needed to make it all work. There's such richness there but never overdone. These rooms are going in my permanent file. Thanks so much for this beautiful treat!

I appreciate the thoughts shared here, as I want to more fully comprehend why this relatively haphazard color scheme still works. The designers of these rooms are probably "trust your gut" people, where as I want to understand WHY something works & why something else doesn't, & would preferably like to have a "rule" to guide me!

Awm03, I saw what I would call your "Pumpkin-Pie Room" & think it is beautiful. The palette of your whole house is very harmonious. So the B&B has an "analagous color scheme?" I like being introduced to concrete terms like that. I'm here to learn!

Newdawn, yes, isn't Savannah an inspiring city? (& Charleston, in a less idiosyncratic, more traditional way.)

Kmcg, queen of coordination, yes, I saw that pic, but didn't realize until you pointed it out that it was the orange room! It looks so different in that lighting. In the 2nd pic it reminds me of a Martha Stewart paint color called Pinecone that I love.

Glad you liked the pics Ingrid!

Stinky, how are you and the Queen getting along?

You know....Queen Anne... :-)

Hi Amy! That's cute! Well, since you asked...

I don't have a good imagination, so I bought an inexpensive software package at Lowe's that lets you download your own photos & do a very crude photoshop with the particular paints sold at the store. I tried the ones that were close to Silver Sage & wasn't crazy about them. I tried many others. Long story short, I didn't like anything as much as the "queen," except for medium to dark beiges, taupes & browns. However,while the ivory curtains & chairs would pop & a dramatic effect would be created in the LR painted brown, all my wood furnishings in the DR would be lost & the effect would be dull & drab.

I did the exercise you suggested too. I'm very fond of the pink at night as it turns into a "non-color" & just sort of glows & feels very warm, soft & neutral, but somehow has a little excitement. In the day it just feels very muted & not so exciting.

I really love the drama & impact of the B & B rooms. Understated is good, but I also appreciate a little "wow" factor, & don't know how to achieve that with this palette. Reds & golds like my den colors are so much easier to make a statement with!

Thanks for asking, btw!