The color red suggests passion, love, strength, and power. No wonder it continues to make the rounds from cutting-edge couture at Paris Fashion week to textiles in our living rooms. Red is here, red is there, red is everywhere. Some designers say that red (along with fellow mood-lifters, yellow and orange) is increasingly popular in the post-recession period.
As people begin to gain confidence, they want to feel happy and many express that by choosing bright accents. I’ve found myself constantly looking for a pop of red to add some love to my living room, some power to my kitchen, and some passion wherever possible.
Painting or wallpapering your walls red can be a bold move with striking results. But if you are not ready to take the full crimson plunge, you are not alone. Bold colors like red are now being featured more commonly as accents -- making a quick but powerful punch, and brightening up any room. Here is a roundup of some of my favorite displays of the power of red.
1. Warm red paint makes this formerly bland dining room shine. This was a project by Niche Interiors, located in San Francisco - we found it via Cococozy.
2. The Cabrio lounge chair ($399) makes your outdoor space come alive. You won't even have to get up -- bottle opener attached to the back!
3. Grab a $40 crimson Michael Devine tray from Lotus Bleu -- add a pop of powerful red to a side table or kitchen counter.
4. Borrowed Spoons tea towel by Skinny Laminx ($17.70 on Etsy) -- light up your kitchen with passion.
5. Lacquered bath set from Pacific Connections - an easy way to add pop to a bathroom.
Images: First image, Niche Interiors, the rest as linked above
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I think red is one of the trickiest colors... it can look like THE most expensive thing in the world, or very gaudy and cheap. I don't think it's something I would get right -- the red Barcelona chairs in our living room are actually a very toned down burgundy -- so muted that they read as neutrals. I'd love to have the courage to do something really bold with red, however.
The recession is over? Really? Dang. Maybe if anyone actually believed this I would still have a job.
Post-recession? Um, okay.
What Pi said.
But, even during the Recession, we accented a few of our walls in red (hot coral, actually) and placed pops of red throughout the house.
The economy is still tanking and we're now heading toward desaturation: light and breezy, calming whites with grey and wood tones.
Post recession? Please. The author of this must make assumptions on the state of the economy based purely on what colors are popular. Try looking at the news next time. Hasn't red been popular for many years now anyway?
I find the right reds to be very cheery and energizing. However, it's rare to find red walls that are a pretty red. My favorites are really more reddish orange. I agree that red is tricky, in part because color preference is very idiosyncratic.
@ArchDarling I hear you and agree that red can definitely be tricky. Maybe start with some accents? I have cherry red Chilewich placemats on my breakfast table that I love.
What Post Recession?? I'm in Central NJ where the biotech industry is being decimated. We're not in a Recession, we're in a Depression.
Wow! I'm just totally stunned by the this title. Clearly, we move in different circles of class and profession.
Red has been around (and popular for fall) for quite some time. Who is this "we" being referred to in the post? It still feels very much like a recession where I live.
my kitchen is painted red (we're renters and it was like that when we moved in). I used to not love it, but it's grown on me. It's one of my favorite rooms in the house, feels cozy, even though it's a kitchen.
Anyone know where to find the lamp in the first photo?
Have to agree with all the others --- it's still a recession where I live too. On the topic of color, I have pops of red here and there which are fun, happy and warm. So I would say I choose red to counter the general gray tenor of the times.
beautiful reds and absolutely LOVE that dining table!!!
post recession eh? This articles credibility is shot on that point alone.
@rmmarty
Looks like Galbraith & Paul from Room and Board: http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/product/detail.do?productGroup=19707&catalog=room&category=rm_accessories&subcategory=fl_light_pendant
I solemnly swear that I am living through this recession and am heading quickly toward depression.
No red, no way, it's like waving a flag in front of a bull and right now everyone I meet seems frustrated enough.
How is it that every color I read about says how tricky it is. Google yellow paint and see. And check Friday's jobs report or today's stock market results to decide whether there weekin is history.
I had a red chimney breast and red velvet curtains in my old house, and it looked magnificent. We thought we'd go for a change of colours in our new house, but now we're leaning towards red again. Grey walls and red curtains and accents this time.
But post recession? Not in Britain, it ain't.
@starlinguk Red velvet curtains...love. And the grey walls with red curtains and accents sounds like a great combo. Would love to see!
@kiacook
Thanks for posting that Room and Board link! Wish list...