Packed full of energy and excitement, the color red is sneaking back into vogue in the world of interior design. For years, people shied away from this arresting color, opting instead for safe, soothing grays, tans and creams. But now folks are feeling bolder and taking bigger risks in their decorating. And as they do, red is shooting up the popularity charts.
We’re having a blast at Nell Hill’s zipping up people’s spaces with spunky shots of red. Want to join the fun and add this striking color to your décor? The key to success when decorating with a statement color as powerful as red is to pick a few key places to let it shine. Here are my top seven spots to add a pop of red in your home’s interior:
1. Paint a Wall
If you want to go big with red, wash a wall in it. Depending upon the shade you select, red will send off a strong vibe that ranges from happy to angry, so pick your paint color carefully. Another word of caution before you pull out the drop cloth and paint brushes: It’s easy to go too far with red, so start in small doses. Before washing the entire room in red, paint just one wall and see what you think. Whether you end up painting one area or the whole room, be sure to balance your high intensity wall color with plenty of light colored neutrals through your upholstery, art and window coverings.
2. Cover Some Furniture
Give a room an energy boost by adding in a piece of red furniture. Check out the photo above. Isn’t it amazing how the red chest snares your attention? Even though it’s just a small piece of accent furniture, it stands out in this room filled with whisper white and dreamy blue. When you’re working with red, it doesn’t take much to get big results.
The beauty of red is that it works in every style home, from ultra mod to super traditional. Right now at Nell Hill’s, we’re covering lots of traditional and transitional furniture frames in more contemporary fabric patterns that play up red. The chair above is a perfect example. This refreshing take on a tried-and-true traditional design owes its success to a cleaner silhouette and an exhilarating fabric that is both formal and playful. I can picture a pair of these practically perfect chairs on either side of a fireplace.
I can’t stop talking about this red leather chair. Love it! And talk about a statement piece!
3. Hang Artwork
The walls in most of the rooms in my home are painted in soft neutral colors just so I can cover them with an ever-evolving assortment of artwork. I’ve found that switching out my art is a unique way to change the look and feel of a room. To pay tribute to a favorite color, showcase it through a piece of artwork. If you hang art that includes red, rest assured it will get noticed. At Nell Hill’s right now, you’ll find artwork that features about every shade of red, in about every style, from modern pieces like the one pictured above to classics.
4. Make a Red Light District
In my book, there are few things as stately as a beautiful red lamp. The smartly styled lamp in the photo above (taken at Nell Hill’s Briarcliff) is so chic – what a great addition to a formal or informal room. When I decorate, I like to add a surprise element in every room – a little something that catches people off guard because it’s so unexpected. A red lamp is the perfect pick. It’s sure to elicit a smile. Don’t want the whole lamp to be red? Try just adding a red shade to a glass or white lamp you already own.
5. Amp up a Space with Red Accents
I love homes decorated in red. But when it comes to using red in my own home, I want it in small doses. So one way I’ve threaded this timeless color through my décor is with accents. The fabulous ginger jar pictured above is a great example of how you can add the tiniest touch of red to a room to give it a lift. You could place a piece like this on your mantel, at the center of your dining table or on a kitchen island to zip things up. I also really enjoy the bright red pottery we’re carrying now at Nell Hill’s. With its bold lines and saturated hues, it’s ideal for a home that’s contemporary or modern.
Here’s a fun idea: Work red in through nostalgic or interesting details, like this glass memory box holding poker chips. Storage that doubles as a stylish accessory – what could be better than that?
6. Go Red on Your Bed with Pillows
Like artwork, accent pillows give you a super easy way to introduce a new color to your home’s décor. Toss a red pillow in the mix on your sofa or bed.
7. A Little Touch through Table Linens
If you’d like to join the red craze but don’t want red in your décor, try some red table linens. Perhaps you can feature red place mats, napkins or a tablecloth in your kitchen or patio. It’s an easy and inexpensive way to dip your toes in without changing a thing in your home.
Next Week … Light and breezy summer bedding is a mid-summer’s dream. Come see the latest colors, patterns and trims in beautiful bedding ensembles.
P.S. Our Special Order Upholstered Furnishings Sale is still going on! Through July 15 you’ll receive 20% off all our lovely upholstered pieces, like sofas, ottomans and chairs. We’ll help you design a custom piece of your dreams!
Ramon Valdez says
July 1, 2013 at 9:25 amRed has Ben a favorite of mine for n accent, punch of color on a rather neutral room, but I love all your advice on using such a statement hue all over the home. Thanks or ll the inspiration Mrs Garrity.
Tricia says
July 1, 2013 at 9:52 amI was just in the Atchison store about three weeks ago and got red striped place mats. It instantly perked up my dinning area. I love red to add a pop of color.
Franki says
July 1, 2013 at 2:22 pmI’m a fan of red! Have a deep red leather sofa, red lamp shades in a bedroom, red, red, red!! franki
Linda says
July 1, 2013 at 2:46 pmLove your use of red splashes ! Could you please tell me who to contact about purchasing one of the red ginger jars. Thanks!
Jenny says
July 1, 2013 at 3:17 pmI’m a BIG fan of red. My kitchen is red, black, and cream. Love it! My guest bath has red french wall paper, red and black sink and the cabinets are cream that have been antiqued. Very warm and beautiful. I love your blog. Thanks for all the ideas.
Stacey says
July 1, 2013 at 3:22 pmI’ve never fallen out of love with red. Glad to see that you are using it again.
Mary Carol says
July 1, 2013 at 5:55 pmLinda, just give us a call at 877-746-4320 and we will be happy to help!
Mary Carol says
July 1, 2013 at 5:56 pmI’m enjoying reading about the ways you all are using red in your decor. I feel like I get my best ideas from my customers and friends! Thanks for sharing your creative ideas with us all.
Scribbler says
July 1, 2013 at 11:17 pmI love red and use it a lot. I too am interested in the red ginger jar — do you have an online store?
Angie says
July 1, 2013 at 11:17 pmThanks Mary Carol for displaying one of my favorite decorating accent colors! I love the red ginger jar!
I really enjoy the pop that red gives on my front porch… from a few geraniums to a beautiful door hanging on my black front door. I have sparks of red everywhere in my home from a striking mixed red paisley print Ralph Lauren fabric on chairs in my yellow sun room, to a splash of red blooms in a crystal vase on the mantle to another red floral accent on a tray arrangement on the coffee table in the formal living room. Red makes me smile and feel alive!
Helen says
July 2, 2013 at 12:31 amMary Carol, I’ve fallen for red, too. It happened almost accidentally. Seriously, after our family room paneling was painted a nice yellow..it cried out for red somewhere. Never did I think of a red sofa until that happened. I really enjoyed seeing your red suggestions.
Thanks,
Helen
Carolyn says
July 2, 2013 at 1:21 pmLove the red! I’ve been looking for a “true red” buffalo plaid fabric…any chance of finding it at Nell Hills?
Mary Carol says
July 2, 2013 at 8:32 pmSo fun to hear everyone’s red love stories! Isn’t it crazy how a color can capture our hearts so? I’m like that with blue … and will be blogging about that soon. Stay tuned!
Nancy Smart says
July 3, 2013 at 1:09 pmTook advantage of the punch of red and the mantle with the red vases, got the vases, also the white ones and the gold artichoke and am playing with them on my buffet and server, getting both looks. fun, fun, fun!! Wish I could come to NH in person but UPS is next best way to receive your “fun” things.
Mary Carol says
July 3, 2013 at 5:40 pmHello to all who were interested in the red urn. It’s $326. Give us a call at 877-746-4320 if you’d like more info!
Mary Carol says
July 3, 2013 at 5:40 pmCarolyn, so sorry to report that we do not carry a “true” red buffalo check. Good luck on your search!
Celeste says
July 9, 2013 at 10:04 pmMary Carol, What is your favorite shade of red for the walls? Love the shade you have featured in the first picture!