The color orange had a big moment in the seventies…yes, I’m that age. Back in a time when chocolate brown, “harvest” gold, and orange were very popular. Not that orange hasn’t been an important color to designers and folks alike throughout the decades.
But I remember in the seventies when I was planning the decor of my first apartment I wanted orange to be part of my color scheme, and it was. That is possibly why I dismissed it for so many years as a passe color. But we all know trends come around again and there are so many pretty examples of orange in design, fashion and in the garden.
Orange combines the energy of red and the happiness of yellow. It is associated with joy, sunshine, and the tropics. Orange represents enthusiasm, fascination, happiness, creativity, determination, attraction, success, encouragement, and stimulation. … In heraldry, orange is symbolic of strength and endurance.
Most of all I get excited about orange this time of year. It’s the last week of August, Autumn can’t be too far away.
As I red-haired girl, for years I didn’t think I could wear orange, thinking it might make me one big blur of orange. But I’ve found it is an uplifting color for me. I feel good in an orange sweater or accents of orange in a scarf and I believe we should wear what we like and feel good in.
I like this seasonal transition outfit. Still layered to work if the day warms up, but warm enough for a crisp fall day.
Small doses of orange…a pretty front door.
Even the lone pumpkin in an otherwise neutral garden says happy autumn.
This pale shade of orange is relaxing in this pretty bedroom.
This orange wall is the stuff of the Hermes boxes, so pretty with the silver tray gallery.
Persimmons in a vintage trophy make a statement.
Inspiration for an urn planting this fall.
Roses with touches of blue.
This toile image is years old but still warms my heart when I see it.
Do you like orange? For those of you that avoid the color at all costs, I don’t have to tell you about the great array of colors pumpkins can be found in!
Just a few more weeks for the calendar to actually read “first day of fall”.
xo K
Garden, Home & Party 
Reviving Charm said:
Hi Karen
Like you, fall is my favorite time of the year. I actually love orange and burnt oranges and love your examples. But when it comes to decor in my own home I tend to stay neutral. However, I am trying to step out of my comfort zone and just ordered some swatches that incorporate orange. In fact I’m looking forward to receiving one that’s an ikat of orange and magenta. Not sure it will be a keeper but trying to keep options open.
Karen B. said:
I love the combination of orange and magenta. I’m sure it’s going to be wonderful.
I’ve warmed to orange and it surprises me a bit. Maybe it’s my Austin daughter in law’s University of Texas influence…burnt orange and cream.
I miss your posts, hope all is well.
xo,K
Vicki said:
Hi Karen, I always thought orange was hard to pair with anything, so thanks for proving me wrong. It looks particularly pretty with those silvers and grays. Very warm and cozy. Now you’ve got me thinking about my fall wardrobe. Fun inspiration.
Karen B. said:
Vicki,
I’m learning how wonderful the color orange can be. So we’re on the same page with that. I’ve even bought a pair of orange ballet flats! 🙂
xo,K
D'Arcy H said:
Hi Karen! Like you, I’m a child of the 60s and 70s. My room at college was dominated by an orange Indian block print bedspread — swatches of which I still have in the attic! I’ve always loved orange, especially in summer. I wear it often. I just ordered a couple of area rugs (not orange), but I noticed how popular orange and blue combinations are right now. A well deserved resurgence! –D’Arcy
Linda Coble said:
Hi Karen,
Loved this post! I’ve always been partial to the colors of Autumn and I look forward to decorating my home in oranges, rusts, and yellows. Your post gave me some new inspiration for this year. I especially loved the lone pumpkin in the neutral garden and the wonderful master bedroom in its orange finery!
Karen B. said:
D’Arcy,
Well, don’t tell anyone, but I had a Christmas tree in my first apartment that featured a lot or orange ornaments. Haha. I think you probably look great in orange.
xo, k
Linda Coble said:
Hi Karen,
I have to admit that Autumn is my second favorite season (after Spring) but l do love the colors of Autumn! All the wonderful oranges, rusts, yellows and even browns are wonderful and I always look forward to decorating my home for Autumn. I loved the pics of the neutral garden with the lone pumpkin and that great master bedroom! All of it very inspiring!
Linda
Karen B. said:
Linda,
You were one of the inspirations for me with your orange outfits. You looked wonderful in the color, probably because as a lovely blonde, you look great in any color. I’m so ready to wear some autumn outfits, even a sweater!
Thank you, as always, for your sweet comments.
xo,k
debra @ 5th snd State said:
so funny Karen, just a few days ago I was mentioning my first apartment and all the orange, aka rust! I adored it then , admonished it for a long period & as you, back in my favor. never expected to say that, but it is a new love again. great post!
xo
Debra
Karen B. said:
It is funny, but as I’ve gotten older I’ve discovered that there are more things I love that in my younger years I was sure I’d never like again! There’s wisdom in the saying “never say never”. Haha.
xo K
Gretchen said:
Hi Karen,
I am so ready for Fall especially since we’re in the middle of a late Summer heat wave! It seems that all the stores have brought out their Autumn colors. I can hardly wait to put out my pumpkins and Fall accessories.
xo,
Gretchen
Karen B. said:
The heatwave has me counting the days until we can look forward to those cool nights, making the heat more tolerable. 🙂
I’ll try my best to hold off putting out the pumpkins until the weather cools a bit…don’t want to rot the pumpkins.
Haha,
Karen
Kiki said:
I’m probably the only one writing here who really, really doesn’t like orange, unless it’s something ‘natural’ such as oranges, leaves, pumpkins, fruits etc….. I KNOW it’s a warm colour and I can’t even say WHY I don’t like it – it’s probably because it is too close to drab and sad browns, or maybe I once knew a person who was only dressed in orange tones, who hurt my tender heart. I really don’t know.
Having said that I LOVE all those choices you provided us with – I wouldn’t go as far as painting a wall or a door in orange but it all looks totally stunning – it just isn’t really me. We once had a car, the colour was called Sirocco, a dark orangey-brown colour. I always called it, all 9 years we had it ‘sh.t’-coloured… it got browner and browner. It was the 2nd worst colour after one sis-in-law’s mustard coloured car!
I’m looking forward to autumn. It’s a wonderful time, especially combined with ‘normally’ warm days full of that tired sunshine but perfect to be outside, work in the garden, raking the falling leaves and piling them up. This is a beautiful post!
Andreson Antony said:
Great post the interiors looks really awesome.
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