Red continues to be a hot color for 2015 — not just for interior design, fashion but also product design, too. Red has been a popular color for dining rooms and restaurants because the color actually stimulates the appetite and makes the heart beat faster. I love the look of crisp white trim and red walls. If you’re going for a moody look, flip the white to the other extreme: black trim with red walls.
The Pantone Color of the Year is Marsala. I would describe it as burgundy with a brown undertone. Leatrice Eiseman Executive Director, Pantone Color Institute® stated that “Marsala is a subtly seductive shade, one that draws us in to its embracing warmth.” Red will do that to you.
Don’t shy away from Red. Its vibrancy and versatility make it just right in many situations. Sometimes you’ll want to bathe the room in Red. Whether you want a Chinese red or a Marsala, make sure you provide lots of lighting options. If you don’t, you’ll end up feeling like you’re in a cave. Make allowances for shadows and nooks and crannies. A single Red room can provide a wealth of shades and tones simply by playing with the lighting in the room.
And don’t forget to distribute red from one area into another. I did a color consultation for one of my Clients who had a red sofa in her living room. The dining area was open to the living room and I had them paint the back wall of the dining area red for balance.
If you feel stuck, call in an experienced designer for a color consultation. It’s best if the consultant is an interior designer and not only a color consultant. You’ll need someone who can help you introduce the color into the right design elements of your home. The money you invest will pay for itself in the avoidance of unseen and unexpected problems and faux pas.
Be Bold. Be Brave. Be Red.
Alexander Interiors, Cleveland, OH and McLean,VA
