“There is no blue without yellow and without orange.”
~Vincent van Gogh, Dutch Painter 1853-1890
With Halloween behind us, it’s good to know that orange doesn’t have to scream Jack o’ Lantern or Trick or Treat. In its truest form orange can be challenging to live with, but if you’ve been shying away from orange, just look out the window. T’is the season when reds and oranges transform the landscape. Maybe it’s the time to rethink this vibrant carroty color, let your guard down… and have an orange crush.
You might not consider terra-cotta an orange, but it is a popular expression of the same hue. So are salmon, peach, shrimp and coral. In fact, this season’s hot color is coral orange. Looking for ways to warm and energize a tired room? Here’s a guide for squeezing some orange into your life.
Orange in the bedroom
Peach may be safe and quiet for a bedroom, but orange doesn’t have to be loud. Adding warm woods and pairing it with hushed hues like lavender or pale blue (yes, really!) will offset the boisterousness.
If you have a lot of wood in your bedroom, like a wooden bed frame and side tables, for example, painting your walls a deep orange will energize it by day and give a warm, cozy glow at night. Finish the look with sable colored bedding for a rich, earthy feel.
For an energetic punch to white walls and black furniture, try tangerine bedding. Toss in other juicy accents in matching tangerine tones, like a vase or a bold colored lamp for each nightstand.
Orange flavored living spaces
Blazing orange walls always look great surrounding a fireplace and make the fire burn brighter. Add a tall, dark and handsome wooden mirror to cool things down.
Warm up a great room or family room by combining golden yellow walls with burnt orange tie-back curtains. Keep things balmy with matching burnt orange throw pillows.
Use orange accents to brighten a predominantly brown room. An orange throw paired with a gold and orange patterned pillow can be stunning against a solid brown chair or ottoman.
Don’t rule out colorful furniture as a way to pop open some color. A neutral office space can always use a walk on the less serious side, with a brightly colored file cabinet. Does your loft need a pick me up? Add a touch of contemporary with a cozy orange sherbet colored lounge chair.
If you have a secret crush on orange but aren’t sure just how much citrus you should pour into a room, use this foolproof formula: 60-30-10. Main colors should cover about 60 percent of the room (painted walls). A secondary color covers approximately 30 percent (window covers, upholstery and rugs). The last 10 percent is for accent colors (artwork, tiles and cushions). When you know the formula, orange becomes a lot less spooky.
The carrot has been dangled…time for an orange crush.
