Seeing red

An eye popper. Loaded with energy. Regal. Commanding. Red is certainly a high voltage color.

Wouldn't these descriptions all be appropriate for this Fortuny dress?

Silk by Mary Schoeser   Photo by Claudio Franzini

Red is seen in nature everywhere.

Using red in your home is a consideration that you would give much thought to. You can start off in small doses with accessories...

 Interiors Now by Angelika Taschen  Photo by David Hiepler & Fritz Brunier

This charming screen could be placed most anywhere.

H&G 10-06     Screen by Edelman Metalworks

Getting braver, the red jolts of color nicely compliment the robin's egg blue walls and deep purple accents of the bedding. The purple and red join in the rug to pull it all together.

House Beautiful    Photo by Ditte Isager

Deciding to color your walls is next. In Italy, this would be a no brainer. Get out the red ochre pigment and start brushing.  

 Mediterranean Color   Book and photo by Jeffrey Becom

 

In the office setting, the red Venetian plaster is a rich addition to the otherwise contemporary, but sedate design. 

 Real Illusions, Inc.

The random gold leaf applied to this red wall dresses up the dark color in an exciting way.

 Art & Decoration   November-December 2003  

Here, red foil is first applied to the wall and then stained to achieve the depth you see. Tammy Anthony, of Buford, Georgia, is the decorative artist who designed this finish.

 credit 

In this bath, the beautifully peaceful stencil is on top of a wall finished with a mixture of acrylic wax and a water-based stain.

 

credit        Artist unknown

This red marbleized wallpaper beautifully complements the powder room's antique fixtures. The paper is called Pheasant in Orange by Twigs, available at John Roselli.  

 House Beautiful   Photo by Simon Watson

Michele Molek, of Fashionable Finishes in Southern Pines, NC, created this extraordinary dining room with a combination of foil, metallic plaster and inlaid Modello designs. Cool room!

Lastly, here is an up-to-date, traditional library that shows off its wood panels with a luxuriously rich, high gloss r-e-d. The warm colors are cozy and inviting, especially with the fire going in the evening.

Belle magazine      Photo by Richard Powers

Would you decorate with red in your home? I would love to see more examples.

I will be offering a hydrangea wreath to the lucky winner of my 100th post celebration giveaway! Be sure to check in this week for the details.

And while you're at it, hop on over to Mona's place, Providence Ltd., to try your chances on winning three, beautiful leather books!