I banned it for a while, but I’ve been rethinking red lately.
I like the idea of throwing in a little something unexpected when you’re decorating. And, for me, red would be that little something. On a whim, I spray painted this lamp (a thrift store find that was formerly green and used on our patio) a bright red to try out the color in our living room. I kind of like how well it works with all of the blue and white accessories.
(The color is Rust-Oleum gloss apple red.)
Today, I’m guest posting on the Design Chic blog with more ways to rethink red in your decorating. Would love to hear your thoughts on this color. . .
And, a few other posts you might like:
How I Choose Pillow Fabrics (for our living room)
(Little) Ways to Try a New Color In Your Home
Painting Our Living Room Light Blue
I’m not a “red” person at all but I love the inspiration pics you chose. And your lamp looks great with the blue and black. I love where you’re going with this house, Emily! You always give me something to think about :)
I read your post before over at Design Chic. I have always liked red – lately more as an accent color. I think it adds some life to a room!
Shelley
My 4-year-old self would be very excited for these changes if he lived with you. I loved red when I was a kid, which slowly changed into a love for blue as I aged… though I think that change is pretty common. And despite my current preference for blue, I absolutely love that red lamp!
My goodness, this is it!!! I never thought of adding red to my blues but now i am definitely going to spray paint the two lamps red. Thank you!!!
Your red lamp adds a perfect pop of color in your room. Thank you for sharing your love of red with our readers, Emily. We love having you on Design Chic!
I love the little charge of energy that red lamp brings to the room, and the best part is that it’s recycled!
I *heart* pops of red in my house. I even painted an old Ikea Markor sideboard the most gorgeous red and replaced the hardware. It’s my favourite piece. Here is an old blog post (it’s when I didn’t know how to use my DSLR- sad photos)
http://www.markovadesign.com/2012/07/one-room-challenge-week-two-ikea-hack.html
And of course I spray painted fake Thonet bistro chairs a beautiful Colonial Red by Rustoleum. Sigh… love red.
So pretty. That orangey-red is always good with blue and white.
WOW…that was enlightening!! Luv the red lamp!! franki
My house has a beachy look (San Diego-I can’t help myself) so more light blues, whites, beige-and I do an occasional pop of orange.
I love the pop of red. I think it goes well with blues. I have that side table in a yucky cream white. Did you spray paint it? If so, did you sand it first. It looks great!
Sorry for question, I tried to search site first to see if I could find it :)
I think mine was the same yucky cream color when I bought it :) I’m pretty sure I just sprayed it. It actually needs to be touched up again now.
I really like the small touch of red. That is normally not a color I choose but love it in this space. I noticed your fabric for the pillows are listed on amazon. Is there a good way to “search” on amazon for fabrics? I haven’t order a lot from amazon other than household supplies and books.
Hi Christy, I’ll usually just search by brand name once I figure out the fabric I want. Sometimes, I can find it cheaper online than in local fabric stores. I also like Fabric.com and Online Fabric Store.
Hmmm, it’s always hard to make what seems like a negative comment, especially when it’s based on personal preference, however, without reading what you wrote and viewing the picture first, my reaction was that the lamp was all I saw in the picture. I understand the pop of color idea but for me it sticks out and that’s a different feel. I adore everything you have done to your home, you are very talented and I guess the only reason I am leaving this comment, rather than taking the say something nice or say nothing road, is to make the point that only you can decide if it works. You are a very confident designer but not everyone has that confidence. I believe people should trust their own judgment more and believe in what they like, stop overthinking it and go with their heart. I spent too many years listening to others and my home is certainly not everyone’s cup of tea, but it makes my heart sing when I walk through the door. So if you get that little thrill when you walk in the room, then it’s absolutely perfect!
That lamp is gorgeous and I love it red! I used to be afraid of red, then we moved to Taiwan. After living in Asia for 4 years I grew to love it- in small doses of course. We do have a hand-painted antique Tibetan buffet cabinet that is mainly red. Our basement rec room is the kids’ playroom and it is home to light aqua walls and a bright cherry red sectional and chaise lounge. I think I might love red now!
I love the tie in to the red books on the book cases too!
That lamp looks like it has always wanted to be red.
I am not much of a red person myself, but I love what the red lamp does for the portion of the room you showed us. You are such a talented person and I admire your sense of style. I know what I like when I see it in a picture but I struggle to pick things out without a picture to go by,
Having said that, I would like to ask about your rug. I love nature fiber rugs but I have been unsuccessful in finding one that seems to be the right texture/weave combination. My first rug was a sisal which looked great by my family hated that it was so hard on their feet and every spill seemed to bring out another orangish/pink stain. My second rug was jute but the weave was very loose and it seemed to pull out so frequently it looked messy. I love the look of the rug you have in the photo. It seems to be a tight, flat weave. Do you mind me asking what type of rug it is, are you happy with it and where could I find it on line to check out?
Thanks for continuing my favorite blog!
Hi Linda, It’s the heathered chenille jute rug from PB. We’ve had it for nearly five years and still love it:
https://emilyaclark.com/2015/01/my-most-asked-about-accessories.html
I agree… that lamp DOES look like it has always wanted to be red.
I loved red in my teens and early twenties. In our first home, I painted the brick fireplace red. And it killed red for me. Even Christmas red… no. The best part of selling that house was getting away from the red.
Recently, I’ve started letting it back in the house. Mostly in ways that red occurs naturally in a home… book spines, touches of red in a kids’ room rug, a painting by my daughter. It’ll never take center stage again, but I can handle a glimpse here and there.
Never gave up my red shoes though. Who could?
Nice touch with the red lamp, Emily:)
Red looks great in your home.
But I’m still trying to get over my red/khaki/black decor phase.
So I banished anything red a long time ago. Including my husbands red leather LazyBoy recliner.
(He’s never forgiven me for that move)
Thanks for the chance!!! I could really use this! :)
Hi! I have become an avid reader and follower of your blog and instagram! I love your taste and advice on all things decorating and DIY. I am in the process of trying to update some things about our house and I am wondering if you have any advice on choosing a type of paint and method of painting furniture? I might have missed a post that could be helpful a while back, if that is the case, sorry. Thanks!!!
Jess
I think it just depends on the piece. If it’s a lamp or a small accessory, I almost always spray paint. If it’s a larger piece of furniture, brushing usually works better–especially if there’s a lot of detail. I only sand when completely necessary (because I’m not a perfectionist…).
Love that red lamp! I’m partial to Asian pieces and that is absolutely spectacular. Thanks for the inspiration!
I like a touch of red in every room, but for me, not bright but more muted. I have a stripe lampshade in fam room, pillow and vase in liv room and need to addsomerhingto dining room. I consider it a neutral. lamp looks great.