Feeling red

I'm a firm believer that colour provides us with certain benefits at certain times and  I take note when I find myself attracted to a certain colour.  My past loves have been black, green and purple.   All of a sudden I am hugely attracted tored  and I want it around me in my home.  This is a first for me.

Red accessories

I catch myself looking at red things on Pinterest and Olioboard. 

I want to hang up one of my red paintings.

 

Evoked, 2013, Margaret Ryall, encaustic

 “Painters use red like spice.” — Derek Jarman.....  If so this is one hot painting.

 Why red now?

 From yoga I know that red  is the color for the base or root chakra located at the base of the spine; this chakra allows us to be grounded and connected to universal energies.

Red also affects us physically.  It is stimulating and boosts our physical energy levels, increases enthusiasm, action and confidence, and provides a sense of protection from anxiety and fear. Don't forget that red relates to physical desire in all its forms- sexual, appetite and cravings. Pretty powerful stuff. Who wouldn't want a dose of red around with all those benefits?

I've written about red before so this must not be a new thing.  Check this  post .

I must need a boost of red.  I'm listening.  How will it play out in my space? 

 Is red a part of your home decor?

And more aqua

This must be aqua week! I am noticing it everywhere.  After writing a post yesterday about aqua, I opened one of the blogs I follow this morning to be greeted by a lovely room make -over by Kelly Porter of Color Sizzle and the walls are painted aqua. The accents are red.  I wanted to share this lively combination.  While it is too much colour for me, I know it will appeal to lots of my readers. 

Pillow and lamp love on my part! 

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And another living room with the same colour scheme, but the colours are used in a very understated way. It is all about the intensity of the hues.

Which room would you be most comfortable in?

A little red year round

Red  is a great accent colour anytime, but it seems to be even more inviting at Christmas.  All it takes is the merest hint to bring a room to life. It can be used in small accessories, window treatments or furniture.  In all can't be ignored.

A splash of red always works

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What a difference a pillow can make.  Remember to have at least three hits of an accent colour around a room to create movement.  

Black and red are very dramatic

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Red and black is always dramatic, and when your throw a bold pattern into the mix it is even more so. 

Stunning patterned bar stools

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 Red and gray is refreshing.  I especially like this crisp blue red with a white pattern. Three hits of colour is well displayed in this vignette. 

A sprinkling of red

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Red paired with black and white patterned area rug is very eye catching.   What an interesting window treatment for more than one window set close together. Vertical stripes are so commanding. 

Who could ignore red with black and white?

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 Bold black and white again with a red sofa.  Very commanding.  When you are hanging artwork on a striped wall it is best to keep the mats light and the images simple. 

Red and white striped headboard

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A striking red striped headboard with charcoal and white. 

A stunning red console

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Red with liberal amounts of neutral always works.

Wrap it up

Trying to be earth friendly is an ongoing battle especially at Christmas.   I hate the fact that all the pretty gift wrap ends up in the landfill because  it isn't recyclable.  paper gift  bags work for me and I always reuse  those I receive. I  also purchase fabric bags when I see them and hope the receiver  passes them along to another person. When the last of my gift wrap runs out (probably this year), I plan to use brown paper (Kraft Paper) which you can recycle.  The options for dressing it up are endless. Here's a few nifty ideas to get you thinking about the possibilities:

  Braided wine, a bit of greenery  and a pine cone.  What could be simpler than that?  Wrapping the twine around the package off center adds to the design element.

 What a great way to share old photographs.  Copying them is so easy these days.  

Love how the black satin ribbon looks with the green and the stamped gift tag.  The splash of cedar finishes the job. 

 The name of the recipient becomes the major design element in this wrapping idea. 

  Have you seen the lace tape that is so popular now ? I've been on the look out but haven't found it yet.

Cutting snowflakes from different coloured paper and adding them to the plain paper works to add a spalsh of colour.  Simple butcher twine manages to look elegant with this pairing.

 Who know the pages from old books could make such pretty wrapping material.  You can sew paper to make bags or else glue the edges together.  Adding red string makes it all so festive. You can do so much with so little!

I love this one with red yarn and kraft sticks with holes drilled in them. Of course it is the repetition that makes the design.

 Love this look with red raffia ribbon and strips of black and white printed paper.  What you add between the raffia is up to one's imagination.

 Coloured tape and a button on a string.  How colourful and simple?

 To get this effect I would use scraps of tulle or netting  and then over tie it with twine. 

Wondering what to do with that left over burlap?  Wonder no more.  I made burlap bags years ago to package driftwood Santa's I hand painted.   When you ravel out the tops and include a colourful yarn for tying , it looks very festive.  Burlap will also take a simple stencil using  paint.

 Over wrapping newsprint with burlap and adding a lovely gift tag and pine cones looks very finished and inviting.

 Find the links to these and lots of other gift wrapping ideas on my Pinterest  gift giving page.

Christmas decorating: If you like red

The traditional colour of the Christmas season is red. I like the simplicity of using just one colour in repetition to create sleek designs. It's the repetition of shape that gives them that wow factor.

  

 Houzz

How simple can it get?  These snowflake designs are made out of craft sticks glued and spray painted.  They look smashing with this white chair and light coloured walls.  There's always positives  when you choose a neutral colour scheme! This would not look half as interesting on a darker wall. I think I would also have red candles.

 

 

33 Shades of Green

 Clear vases can be filled with all variety of berries covered in water and then float candles on the top.  So simple.  Having at least three of varying heights makes the arrangement interesting.

 BHG

 Here's a variation on the idea above. Add cranberries to the bottom and then water and add an amaryllis.  Invest in two artificial ones and you can re-use each year.  I've gotten mileage out of mine I purchased at Michael's. I'd skip the ribbon, but that is a personal preference; I'm not a gal for visual clutter.

 Trendy Tree

The sleight is the focal point in this display, the reindeer add visual interest and energy, and the trees add strength.  The leaves soften the whole look.  This is so effective against the white.

Trendy Tree

Another take on using red trees,  this time with "sparkle pods" garland giving lots of energy to the strong verticals the trees provide.

 Your Nest Design

You often see large candy canes from plastic or glass, but what do you do with them to make an interesting display?  This is a simple idea easily put together from the dollar store.  The white vase is the necessary part. It has interesting details and height and is the prefect sophisticated element to add oomph to this design.

 House and Home

Here's another table centerpiece built on one colour and repetition.  Two shapes always makes it more interesting- roses and berries. Carnations would be a more cost effective substitute. 

 BHG

Ornaments, the larger the better, provide a striking look when hung from a drapery rod with sheer ribbon.  Alternate satin, shiny and sparkly.