How to Decorate Using Red

Host: It’s one color that can add personality and light to any room. Designer Angela Ingo says red is worth trying in every room. But, the bold color, I think some people perhaps a little timid, a little scared about pulling it off.

Angela: Yeah, a lot of times you’ll see very neutral tones in people’s homes because it’s a little -- it’s a bold statement to place in some red. But, what I'm wanting to talk about today is how you can take a little bit of red and it can make a great difference in making your room have some life.

Host: I’ve read some designers say every room should have red. You say at least try it.

Angela: I say at least at try it because what happens that you’ll never know for sure what it’s going to feel like until you try it and put a little red in there and you may love it. And, that maybe some you just want it for a short period of time, maybe some fresh flowers after a week or so you take them out and you’re fine, back to where you were. But, it gives you the possibility of seeing what it’s like.

Host: We have an example of a home typical that’s what you described decorated with a lot of neutrals, a lot of subdued colors. You say this room is an example of a room that could benefit from a pop of bread.

Angela: Yes and this is so typical today. You see a lot of brown wood, a lot of furniture that’s in the browns, the tans and there wasn’t much of any life or red in there. So here in the after, as we did a redesign on this room, we put a little bits of red. If you notice on the top right hand shelf, there are a couple of little red boxes. We just pulled those from the kitchen and that really gave some life to the top of it. Then, on the silky table there’s a little red clock and then over in the chair, there is a red pillow. So, if you notice, that’s kind of a triangle pattern of red throughout the room.

Host: That’s a design rule you’ve taught us.

Angela: It’s a nice thing to try. You can put red in just one spot but it’s nice to do it in a triangle pattern.

Host: Think of a connected dots triangle. That’s an example of a living room. We’ve got a couple of other examples, I want to take you through to inspire people to include this color in their quarters, the entry way and the mantle.

Angela: Yes and I wanted to show some pictures. Now, this is a rather bold entry way. I wanted you to see that a little bit of paint. See, there’s not a lot of paint but there was a little bit of red paint and that was a little bold. Now, this is adding, of course, Christmas is a perfect time to add red.

Host: Right.

Angela: We’ll touch a red in your decorations. This one just has a couple of tulips, red and the red box and the mantle. Look how that adds to that room. It does awaken the --

Host: It gives that life and those fresh flowers you say can do that. Okay, from the entrance right to the living room another place in the home where people are typically welcome and get a feel for your style and your flavor, couple of examples of how red really was able to wake up these rooms.

Angela: Now, this is even -- this is more of an orange red in this room but see how it just brings life. If you imagine those gone, it feels very different. But, you can take it from an orange red all the way over to more of a purple red. It really kind of depends on your preference so it can work either way.

Host: And, the kitchen you say fruit is a great way to incorporate this color.

Angela: It is. It’s so nice to have -- and this is easy. Just put a bow of apples out there, a few pomegranates this time of the year, they work really nice and it adds a pop. See how lovely this is in this kitchen and they even have a few red flowers in there as well. Look at that. Just one vase of red flowers in that.

Host: And that’s the only red in the room.

Angela: It is and doesn’t it feel better?

Host: I love it.

Angela: It feels better. Here we go, another just bowl of fruit on the counter, it made a difference.

Host: I've read red as one of those sensory colors to the restaurants, they used a lot because that increases your appetite, you say even more reason to put it in the dining room.

Angela: Right, and it’s a warm color. It’s a color that gives the feeling of power, too. This is very bold as well. I want you t notice the rug and the two pieces of art on the wall. They’re quite large and very bold but if we took those away, that room would feel completely different. So, this depends on a lot of times. People that are more of an extrovert will put more red and those who are little more timid and more introvert will put less red so it kind of comes and where you are. If you want to paint your walls red, if you want to do your sofa, I have a sofa that’s red and I love it. But, some people may just start with a little pop that’s got a couple of little red flowers or at bed pillows.

Host: So, it really is a reflection of your personality. There are other couple of examples in the bedroom again just putting pops of red can really wake in that up. Why don’t we go -- try to the bathroom though because I think bathrooms are a place where people think I can't live in that outside color.

Angela: Now, I love this. It’s just a little vase of red flowers. How simple is that! Right there on the counter, very easy. You can just put one red flower in a little vase and that’s to mostly white bathrooms but yet it doesn’t have just give some life, it gives a little spice.

Host: Little spice wakes -- breaks about. Some examples here on the table of ways you can incorporate red and you say it doesn’t mean hitting your favorite designs where you can just walk through your house and let you surprise what you find.

Angela: Yes! Now, this is really fun. You can find things in different places. As I watch through my house, trying to dispose the red things together, I was able to just find in my kitchen on top of the shelf. I just had this red plate. That’s not all red but it’s got read at it. A little red frame, how simple are a few books. You can pull thus covers off your books and you’ll find a lot of red ones.

Host: You might be surprised the color that’s hiding under those that covers right.

Angela: Candle, so simple. We all have candles somewhere. I picked this one up at a thrift store a few weeks ago because I needed a little red for Christmas. These little apples in the front are just little candles, little apples.

Host: That’s a very subtle statement.

Angela: Isn’t that fun?

Host: Yeah.

Angela: I have those lined upon a shelf in my family room but I really love them. It’s the only red there. These little birds have a little red. Of course, there’s these apples. This is not just represents a piece of art, I have this in my kitchen but it’s got a few little red cherries that just gives you that little poppy thing.

Host: All right, Angela thank you so much.

Angela: You’re welcome.

Host: Great examples. Look for your home, find that color red, not just the color of the season but a color you can embrace and should embrace year round. And, your decorating, great inspiration! Thank you so much.

Angela: You’re welcome.

Host: For more great home decorating ideas, visit Angela’s blog Imaginecozy.com that link you there and you’ll see if my websites so check it out after the show.