apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time


Color Watch: Orange

iheartorange7_06.jpgIn case you hadnt noticed, orange has crept into our lives as a full blown live-with-it-color.

Blame it on the mid-century craze, but once a color reserved for safety cones and CalTrans workers, orange has become THE chic little color that has wedged itself in to our lives. Just look at Maxwell's book cover, the Transparent House ad and the CB2 logo on this site (right below). Orange is having its moment, and it's a good one.

 
 

From the brave to the timid of color users, orange lovers can apply it their own way. You could paint a wall as seen in the latest CB2 catalog, limit it to some access pieces such as the bins from Target, a pillow accent seen in Room & Board, or even at the office to jazz up your laptop with a static cling. Orange can be a fresh alternative to classic red, or a new twist to an old room. However you apply it, it will perk things right up.

-Richele

Comments (18)

I painted one wall in my new kitchen orange... you can see it from the living room which is a grayish color so they play well together

posted by Cari on 2006-08-06 20:34:18

I recently got a new sofa that is orange. It's amazing how nice it feels to walk in and see such a happy color. I thought it might be overwhelming, but so far it's just been very pleasant.

posted by aquarabbit on 2006-08-04 14:27:52

My fiance and I LOVE orange, we use it for little accents all the time, and yes one of the things that I like about it it is how it reminds me of childhood in the 1970's.

We love it so much that our wedding colors are orange and brown...but no, the bridesmaids did not have to wear orange.

posted by gragegrl on 2006-08-04 14:38:27

and oh yes, my birthday is next saturday, and i'd be perfectly happy to take the room & board pillow above as a gift.

posted by aquarabbit on 2006-08-04 17:28:42

Where, pray tell, is that lamp from?

posted by Leah on 2006-08-04 17:29:36

I am looking for a unique file storage boxes for hanging files. All I can find are "officey" ones or faux brown leather. Looking for cool fabric, perhaps Pucci inspired. Any suggestions?

posted by Naomi Altman on 2006-08-05 08:53:19

orange has been my favorite color for about 10 years now AND my wedding is going to be orange and brown as well! my matron of honor will be wearing a brown dress with an orange bouqet

i love orange for the same reason aquarabbit, it's just such a happy color.

posted by payzlee on 2006-08-05 12:56:12

It's happiness is exactly why I love having lots of orange accents in my place. Just so darn cheerful how can you not love it?

posted by erica(in pdx) on 2006-08-05 19:35:19

suddently it does not look halloween anymore !

What does that say about how people think ? attitude , media influences, perception, fancy, trend, cool ...?

posted by orange of course! on 2006-08-06 09:07:52

Yes, please, do tell where that lamp is available from. I've long been an orange fan and am redoing my living room and think that lamp would go perfectly.

posted by Gabrielle on 2006-08-07 04:49:11

A ha -- found the lamp! It's from Target, on sale for $19.99.

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/601-1247994-3205735?_encoding=UTF8&frombrowse=1&asin=B000817

posted by Leah on 2006-08-07 09:55:01

ever since the orange H2 brought chills down my spine, orange has been an obsession I try hard not to overindulge in. It will however be featured in my wedding. Sorry bridesmaids. Be happy there are so many shades.

posted by becker on 2006-08-07 13:24:10

must be something in the air...i've got an orange thing going too! my living room accent colors are hot pink, orange & blood red (anchored by brown, black, white and some gold) -- how did that happen?

orange and brown seem like amazing colors for a wedding

posted by abby on 2006-08-07 17:07:23

I been trying to accesories my bathroom with orange colors but only succesed with the rug, trash can and curtain. Were can i find the other accesories ( soap pump, tooth brush holder, etc)?? Help please!!!

posted by haydee on 2006-08-07 17:07:48

i recently bought an armchair from goodwill for $15. as soon as i saw it, i immediately invisioned it in orange. i'm working on reupholstering it right now. i was lucky to find the perfect fabric for only $1 a yard!

anyway, i LOVE the chair in the picture. where is it from?

posted by kay on 2006-08-07 21:03:09

mom's 70's boxy orange couch did it to me...my current bedroom's becoming grey, yellow, grey-violet, but forever orange!

orange ed(ucation)
formerly orangered

posted by orange ed on 2006-08-07 23:36:12

I love orange! I painted my kitchen with orange and dark brown and with the white (albeit very cheap) cabinetry, provides a very cool contrast. (I'm trying Flickr for the first time--if you're interested, check out my photos and let me know if I posted it correctly... http://www.flickr.com/photos/51096455@N00/ )

posted by Michael W. on 2006-08-08 07:41:58

Michael-

Nice job! I like your green dishtowel too. I also just painted the area under my bar a rumba orange.

posted by etslee on 2006-08-09 19:25:52