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Good morning! Since Valentine’s Day is a short 4 days away, and I’m sure you’ve all bought your valentines and planned your special meal weeks ago, I thought I’d share a few rooms that highlight a touch of red, a traditional Valentine’s Day color. For some of us red is welcome year round, embraced even.
But I understand that not all share my enthusiasm for the color. Still, here are some lovely rooms with a touch of red that even you might like. 🙂
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Red doesn’t have to fill the room to be noticed, as my friend, the talented Loi of Tone on Tone demonstrates here. That red apple not only looks good enough to eat, but makes the perfect trilogy of lovely for this vignette.
The red in this mostly white bathroom adds a welcome brightness, subtle enough to add a needed pop of color. There is a framed picture of the Cat in the Hat to the right of the mirror, this may be a child’s bathroom. It’s very cheery.
Love this pretty distressed chest in red. This could be a showstopper in any home.
I really like this hutch that has been painted a contrasting color inside. I like the way it brings notice to the items stored inside.
…then there’s this. I love this library by Gil Shafer III and somehow the red seems just right!
James Farmer and this room is an all-time favorite. Yes, I know it’s dressed for Christmas and yes, I know you’ve seen it dozens of times, but it’s so pretty…you don’t mind, do you? 🙂
The red lamps add such a wonderful touch to this outdoor table.
{James Farmer ~ photographed by Emily Elkins Photographer}
There is a regal look to red in a formal room. Isn’t this a pretty sconce on the red wall, with a stenciled door (?) to the left?
Layla’s [The Lettered Cottage] reading nook in their first house is so inviting and the smallest touch of red makes the space seem finished.
Finally, a favorite use of the color! Oh to be in London!
Have a special Valentine’s Day. Celebrate the day with those you love.
Karen ♥
Since we’re on the subject of LOVE, I just wanted to pass along a good word on a soon to be released book. My friend, Kristy Woodson Harvey {Design Chic and Kristy Woodson Harvey} has a new book to be released in April. LIES AND OTHER ACTS OF LOVE. The is as entertaining as her first book, Dear Carolina. I’m honored to be previewing the book and will post my review in April. You can preorder here.
Kelly - Talk of the House said:
Well you know I am in the red fan club. 🙂 I have not seen that bathroom with the red wallpaper before. OH MY GOODNESS I love it!! Which I shouldn’t… because you know….that’s wallpaper…and I am trying my best to not like wallpaper. Lovely photos – all of them. Happy red heart day to you! (a bit early.) 🙂
Karen B. said:
🙂 Kelly, I couldn’t help but think of you writing this post…after all, several of these rooms have come from your posts. You are the person that introduced me to James Farmer and his wonderful style. I am so happy you stopped by this morning. 🙂 xo, Karen
On Wed, Feb 10, 2016 at 4:47 AM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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debra @ 5th and state said:
yes to red! touches appear here & there at home….wait, as i look around, some major elements!
happy week my friend!
debra
Karen B. said:
Debra,
Yes, red seems to worm its way into quite a few spots in my house too. It’s so bold! But I’ll keep it to a few items in the future…the red and white check convinced me I need a calmer background.
xo,
Karen
Victoria • Restoring our Victorian said:
I too am loving that bathroom! Although I really don’t ever think of wallpaper as being an option (after scraping it, it is my arch nemesis, I know it’s supposed to be simple now but I am wary).
We had a dusting of snow here this morning, so it’s actually looking quite like February! Happy Valentines!
Karen B. said:
Victoria, I agree 100%, it’s going to take something spectacular for me to ever want to hang wallpaper again. I’ve had to have entire walls resurfaced due to the mess removing the wallpaper caused. You’re so lucky to get a little snow occasionally. We’re expected to reach 88 degrees today. That’s a whine, not a brag! Happy Valentine’s Day. xo, Karen
On Wed, Feb 10, 2016 at 8:09 AM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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Leslie @Pretty Petals said:
Hi Karen, I used to not care for red.. but over time I’ve noticed it making an appearance in my home;) Over the holidays I had LOTS of red going on and totally loved it. My house is very neutral so I can add pops of color depending on my mood. This is a fun post and love the photos;) xxL
Karen B. said:
Leslie, I’m about to recover a sofa in our family room that is red and cream buffalo check. Over time that has become boring to me. But I think the idea of neutral and bring out the accents when the time is right is just the right way to deal with a bold color. Happy Valentine’s Day this Sunday. Karen
On Wed, Feb 10, 2016 at 9:59 AM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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Vicki said:
A little James Farmer always starts the day right. 🙂 I love those red lamps and it looks like they would work in formal or country interiors equally well. I like the idea of an energizing/happy red library, too. Maybe it would counteract falling asleep while reading. Fun post! Happy Valentine’s Day!
Karen B. said:
Vicki, I used to have a red room and I’m hear to tell you, it sure didn’t keep me from falling asleep while reading. 🙂 I do love James Farmer’s style. Happy Valentine’s Day. xo, Karen
On Wed, Feb 10, 2016 at 10:12 AM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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Chronica Domus said:
Ah, red, always a difficult color to live with, depending upon how much of it and where one lives in the world. I think it suits cooler climates more than hotter. In England red is a particularly popular color for traditional dining rooms.
I enjoy the deeper shades of red personally, which I call blood red, and enjoy wearing the color more than living with it.
Enjoy your VD with your husband Karen.
Karen B. said:
CD,
I am very particular about which red comes into a room. Like you I prefer the rich, blood red (or I call it crimson). I agree with you, we used to have our family room painted a rich red. I found that California summer heat made me feel too warm in that room.
Happy VD to you and your husband as well.
Karen
Leslie Harris said:
wow Karen, that bathroom is amazing. I do love red, I just worry that I could get tired of it in big doses like that. Thanks for sharing all these wonderful photos–you posts always make me smile.
Karen B. said:
Hi Leslie, I agree, I’m very cautious with large doses of color anymore. I just picked up fabric for our family room sofa. It has been a red and cream buffalo check for these past years. Fortunately, the dogs helped finalize the decision to reupholster. 🙂 xo, Karen
On Wed, Feb 10, 2016 at 11:17 AM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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Jeannine said:
The room dressed for Christmas is my absolute favorite (over all the other). Also love the phone booth 😉
Karen B. said:
Jeannine, I agree…James Farmer does such a beautiful job of making me feel welcome in the spaces he decorates. And that phone booth, they removed many of them in England but when I see one in a photograph, it makes me smile. xo, Karen
On Wed, Feb 10, 2016 at 12:58 PM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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D'Arcy H said:
I’ve had crimson in my living and dining rooms for many years. I can hardly imagine how to decorate without it. However, with my new gray walls, I’m thinking of changing it up. I don’t quite know which direction I’ll go, but for now, the predominantly red dining room rug and the wallpaper it complements will stay. (Crimson and Gray–go Cougs! 🙂 ) –D’Arcy
Karen B. said:
D’Arcy, I miss my crimson walls but it felt too warm in the warmer months which now seem to dominate our year. I’m not sure I love the taupe gray walls that took their place in my family room but due to the cathedral ceiling and lots of door openings and bookshelves! 😀
Sent from my iPad
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Reviving Charm said:
It’s interesting…I don’t particularly consider myself a “fan” of red but I somehow always manage to gravitate to it. I don’t typically wear red clothing although I did a post about wanting a red winter coat. And my office has bits and hints of red. I can’t quite figure out my relationship with the color…I guess I would have to say “it’s complicated.”
I love your examples, particularly the bath. It still looks clean and simple with just enough splash of red. And the library….oh, I love it,, too!
Karen B. said:
You made me laugh. I believe this is how I feel about the color now. My red room and later red and cream buffalo check sofa was a direct result of my passion for Charles Faudree and his style influence. I still love his work (RIP) but I’ve a need for a little more simplicity and calm. I did love your post on red coats. 🙂
xo,
Karen
Dawn said:
Pops of red seem to add such a feeling of cheeriness! I loved the red and white bathroom photo. Such a great balance that it worked even in a small room. Our kitchen has lots of cheery pops of red. I just love it… all year long!
Happy Valentine’s Day, Karen! ♡
Karen B. said:
Dawn, I agree, red is a cheery color. I think I always manage to have a few touches of it in our house. It plays well with other colors too. Happy Valentine’s Day to you and your husband. Karen
On Thu, Feb 11, 2016 at 11:46 AM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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Linda Coble said:
Karen,
Loved all the wonderful red rooms in this post. My favorite was the James Farmer room. Fantastic! That distressed wood chest was pretty amazing too!
Happy Valentine’s Day, my friend.
Karen B. said:
Thanks Linda, James Farmer is truly one of my favorites. That Christmas foyer is a study in welcoming design. 🙂 xo, Karen
On Thu, Feb 11, 2016 at 1:41 PM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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kristywharvey said:
Hi Karen!! You have made a red lover out of me! I do really love red around Valentine’s Day actually. These pics are gorgeous! And thank you so, so much for sharing Lies and Other Acts of Love! I’m so glad you’re enjoying it so far. Much love to you on this Valentine’s weekend! xo Kristy
Karen B. said:
Red is tempting in small doses, isn’t it? Happy Valentine’s Day to you and your sweet family. xo, Karen
On Fri, Feb 12, 2016 at 11:12 AM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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Aman Bansal said:
Red is just a fantastic color that can be mixed with others like white, black to create a lovely design in home space. If one talks about mixing up of red and white color to decorate bedroom, it will definitely make environment lovely and romantic.
Karen B. said:
So true, there are some lovely examples of the beauty of red online, especially this time of year. 🙂
Karen
Gretchen Gibson said:
Karen, in my decorating magazines I have read the opinions of many designers that “every room needs a touch of red.” Over the years I have become a believer. I always splash red around the house at Christmas and love how much it enhances an otherwise neutral palate. Recently I have tried to incorporate a little red with my blue, white and khaki interior and I love the results. I always loved the beautiful crimson red walls in your family room. You inspired me to be a little more bold!
Karen B. said:
Gretchen, Red does make me happy, but in large doses, such as my red room, I got tired of it. I know you and I typically find that happens to us with almost anything. lol 🙂 Karen
On Wed, Feb 17, 2016 at 7:18 PM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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buy-drugs-online.net said:
I like the combination of white and red colors, especially when red is presented by small accents as it is done in the Layla’s reading nook. By the way, their reading nook is really very inviting and I even consider to decorate my nook in the similar style.