Orange you glad orange is back in style? Some of you are nodding your heads vigorously because this friendly, high octane color gives you the energy kick you’re longing for in your home décor. Others of you are shaking your heads just as vigorously, possibly having a flashback to your ‘70s kitchen plastered in sunset, harvest gold and avocado.
When Pantone declared Tangerine Tango as the color of the year last year, a lot of people were skeptical. But at Nell Hill’s, we have had a blast working this life-giving color into traditional and contemporary home design, whether it’s a drop for drama or a space saturated in one of orange’s many provocative shades. Many of our customers are loving it, too. And as autumn approaches, orange is going to play an even more important part of seasonal décor.
Wanna play with orange? Here are three ways you can add a little – or a lot—to your home’s decor.
1. Add a Splash of Paint
When I think of orange, I think of Rich, one of our interior designers at Nell Hill’s. No one does this daring color better than Rich. He had the courage to paint the cabinets in his kitchen orange, and his risk paid off – the space is simply splendid. So I asked Rich to join me in giving some pointers on how to, and not to, use this showy color.
Just like Rich did, a fun way to pull orange into your décor is through paint. The good news is, orange comes in such a huge array of tones, you can find one that enhances your home’s style, whether it’s super traditional or contemporary.
I was thinking of traditional homes like mine when I added Persimmon to my line of Mary Carol Artisan Paints. This terra cotta tone looks beautiful with autumnal colors like sage green, chestnut brown, amber and cream. At Nell Hill’s, we’re also pairing Persimmon with charcoal gray, and as Rich says, “It takes it to a whole new level.”
If your look is more contemporary, experiment with a bright orange paint, maybe on one wall to start with. Rich advises pairing it with a quiet neutral, like Garrity Cream, to add some much-needed balance to the space. If you aren’t a fan of citrus toned oranges, he suggests more pinkish tones, like our Peony, a peppy coral. Peach is a great option if you like quiet pastels.
Before you get out the drop cloth and painter’s tape, test your paint on the wall, Rich cautions. “As bright at the color seems on the paint chip, it will be amplified by 100 percent when you put it on all the walls,” he says. He advises buying a quart, covering a few poster boards to hang on your walls to see how the color translates in your space.
2. Find Some Fabulous Fabrics
Feeling feisty? Me too. That’s why I have fallen for orange mixed with bold graphics and reinvented furniture silhouettes. When you’re decorating with strong colors and patterns like these, be sure to balance them out with solids and quieter tones to keep the room from taking on a circus atmosphere, Rich cautions.
My home is very traditional, so the chair like the one above would feel out of place. So I’m bringing in patterns like chevron stripes and Ikats through my pillows. This playful pillow combination is on a decidedly traditional gray sofa with a cream welt. It’s a great example of how you can add a splash of today’s colors and patterns to keep traditional décor from feeling stale. I’ve done it in my home and am crazy about the results.
Orange tones used in upholstery fabrics are spanning the spectrum from rust to coral. Rich likes the preppy Palm Beach colors: tangerine, fuchsia and kelly green.
If you want a hip, progressive look in your space, Rich recommends covering a sofa or dining chairs in orange linen, then painting your walls white or cream.
If you like a more traditional color palette, go for a browner shade of orange, like rust, and pair it with camel, green and gray. “It gives you that dignified, country house feel but with a newer twist,” Rich says. The custom bedding ensemble above mixes a warmer orange with soft floral and animal print accents for a transitional look we love.
Check out the sensational combination above. Complementary colors orange and blue are made to go together.
3. Add Arresting Accents
Artwork and Pottery
The photo above from Nell Hill’s Briarcliff shows how lovely orange looks in a more traditional display. In my home, I have touches of orange everywhere, but it’s almost all through artwork and accents. The layers of artwork resting on the side of the mantel do a beautiful job of celebrating orange. The dragon jar on the right echoes the color and style. The addition of the contemporary pottery pieces makes the whole scene fresh.
If you want to experiment with orange, or you just want to enjoy this strong color for a season or two, Rich suggests you add little punches through inexpensive accents, like the pottery and tray pictured above.
Area Rugs
In previous blogs I’ve sung the praises of flat weave rugs, my new darling in flooring. We’re carrying several in orange at Nell Hill’s because we love how they zip up a room.
Who says old and new can’t live side by side together? The photo above from Nell Hill’s Briarcliff shows how beautiful these two styles blend. The orange area rug is refreshing next to this very traditional desk.
Lighting
Another super easy way to tap into strong colors like orange is to work them in through lamps. I’ve gone ape over the fabulous new styles I’ve seen at market of late, which bring in bold colors in sleek but traditional designs.
Next Week … Two of my favorite tools for fall decorating are lanterns and orbs. Next week, I’ll share some suggestions (and lots of eye candy) for decorating with lanterns. I’ll blog about orbs the following week.
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Vivian Foster says
August 19, 2013 at 9:44 amLove the blog!
Nancy Smart says
August 19, 2013 at 11:31 amGlad to see this blog, there is ORANGE that screams at you and then there is “orange” that just whisperes and I love it, so glad it is coming back , I have always used some and now I can add more and feel in style, thanks to you Mary Carol.
Cathy says
August 19, 2013 at 2:23 pmThank you, thank you! I have always loved the color orange and am in the process of putting orange in every room of my house. Thank you for the added suggestions. Hopefully, I can make it to Briar Cliff before long to see all of your lovely orange accents to add to my collection.
brenda snowden says
August 19, 2013 at 2:48 pmMy favorite colors is yellow and orange but most of my
Color in living room is blue an yellow are soft
Hughes so how do I incorporate the orange.
I have hardwood flooring then I have a big area rug it also
has soft hughes of yellow an blue it’s in the French look.
Should I change the rug an curtins ?
Melissa Ferguson says
August 19, 2013 at 3:23 pmI reposted to the YWCA St. Joseph Facebook and Pinterest page. Persimmon is the YWCA’s color and we display it proudly! I wonder where we could put some of that lovely persimmon paint….
Marilyn says
August 19, 2013 at 3:44 pmAbout a year ago I had the back of our bookcase in the library painted “pumpkin.” The shelves hold mostly books, but I’ve used some blue and white pieces — platter, ginger jars, a pot containing a plant, etc. I have to admit that I was scared to actually have it done, but — life is short, I did it! — and the finished room is lovely.
lynne murray says
August 19, 2013 at 4:26 pmLove it Mary Carol!! When we moved back to KC 4 years ago, I painted my laundry room a very bold orange. I’m not tired of it and am enjoying doing the laundry. Love what you’ve done with it!
sophia zetmeir says
August 19, 2013 at 4:34 pmNever again on orange. Built a house in 1969, and had orange counter tops in the kitchen. It was so new and so bright, and I got so tired of it so fast. Had to wait to replace when we had funds.
Like your ideas to use it is spots, but I especially like it in my garden. Orange zinnias, add such punch in my flower bed. Love your pictures, but I will just stay with orange in my garden.
Mary Carol says
August 19, 2013 at 5:09 pmSophia, you made me laugh! Yes, I completely understand your over-saturation of orange and desire to keep it in winks and nods in the garden!
Lynne and Marilyn, love your brave and bold decorating decisions and the lovely results! Keep going, girls!
Brenda, how about bringing in a pillow of piece of artwork that features a softer tone of orange, like peach? Or, a piece of Asian pottery with a design that has a bit or orange, like in the picture above?
To all, enjoy your orange!
Franki says
August 19, 2013 at 7:46 pmViva la Orange! I use it everywhere and have for years…I always “change it up” though! franki p.s. Can’t wait to see your photos on orbs…that is a fettish of mine!!
constance bula says
August 19, 2013 at 7:52 pmThe only orange in our home is mimosas and perhaps screwdrivers, with maybe a pumpkin or two thrown in. Sorry Mary Carol, love your style, stores and blogs, but I live in Bronco Land and have to temper the orange!!
Looking forward to a Nell Hills fix sometime soon!!
Jerry Ballard says
August 19, 2013 at 9:17 pmWhen I put Bittersweet about in the Autumn…..I fall in love with it! Then, not so much, except for the Zinnias outside. Can’t wait to see the goodies you have for us this year. I love the mercury glass pumpkins from last year. Love the small touches of orange here and there!
Always enjoy your ideas, MC, you are a treasure!
Rita C. says
August 20, 2013 at 9:27 amHi…can you tell me the name of the fabric in the bed photo with the orange and blue blankets. The jacobean floral print pillows with orange trim.
Thank you
Phyllis Airington says
August 20, 2013 at 11:56 amMary Carol you have done it again.
I love the different uses of orange and I definitely will think orange.
I did the red blog and liked it so I shall follow and find something orange.
Always looking forward to next blog and hope to get to Briarwood shortly as my daughter from North Carolina (Cathy) will be here the later part of September and your store is one we don’t miss.
She originally asked me if I had been to Atcheson to your store. So lucky she told me about you,
Phyllis
Mary Carol says
August 20, 2013 at 6:03 pmIt’s so fun to hear how everyone is experimenting with orange (even if it is through mimosas and screwdrivers!). We do have lots of fun treats in store for your fall decor. Come see us soon? Franki — a fetish for orbs? Sounds interesting …
Mary Carol says
August 21, 2013 at 8:22 amHi Rita, the lovely floral is called Clotted Sangria, and we sell it by the yard at Nell Hill’s Briarcliff. You won’t believe how great our selection of decorator fabric is — it’s dazzling and spans the spectrum from traditional to contemporary.
Tracy Warner says
August 27, 2013 at 10:06 pmHi Mary Carol,
I just wanted to say that I have been following your blog for a while now and absolutely love it. I am going to be featuring Orange in my new makes this Autumn and would love to add some of your text in my Facebook status – saying it is from you of course. Would this be alright?