A LITTLE GOES A LONG WAY…

My last post was all about famous red interiors where the color is used as a backdrop.  This post shows how red can be used as an accent to punctuate an interior.  In all of these images, red is repeated in small doses around the room.  The color draws the eye around the room to visually connect the dots. Even a small amount of red can make a very big impact. See below for some inspiration…
Sarah Ruffin Costello’s Bedroom
Courtesy of Domino
The red shade above plays off of the bossoms of the cherry branches and makes this bedroom sophisticated and feminine, without being too girly.
Interior Design by Mary McDonald
Interior Design by Mary McDonald

 

Mary McDonald is a master of using one color repeatedly to create maximum impact.
Interior Design by Katie Ridder
Katie Ridder illustrates how something as easy as painting the back of the bookcases and adding a red lampshade can add drama to this Moroccan-influenced playroom.
The Coral Bar at the Tides Hotel
South Beach
Interior Design by Kelly Wearstler
The coral red used here plays beautifully off of the cusom rug which is like a painting for the floor.  Kelly’s graphic punch makes this bar cozy and glamourous.
Interior Design by Alessandra Branca
Alessandra Branca is well known for incorporating red into her interiors. This library is accented by the red border at the ceiling as well as the vibrant red pillows and ottoman. These solid touches all bring out the red pattern in the print fabric on the sofa and window treatments.
Interior Design by Alessandra Branca
Courtesy of Elle Decor
Alessandra repeats the red on the back of the bookcases, chair fabric, window fabric and accessories.
Interior Design by Alessandra Branca

I love how Alessandra used something as simple as red grosgrain ribbon to outline the room of this guest bedroom. The small lampshade and garden seat stand out becasue they are the only solid red accents against the red ticking used everywhere else.

Interior Design by Alessandra Branca
Courtesy of House & Garden
The red chairs animate the monocromatic room.
Interior Design by Alessandra Branca
One strong red piece such as this chinoiserie cocktail table contrasts beautifully with the neutral sofa.
Interior Design by Miles Redd

Courtesy of Elle Decor

What I love most about Miles Redd’s work is his unexpected and daring color combinations. He proves that any colors can work together when used in the proper amounts and treatments.  It is hard to imagine anything other that a bright red door to hold its own with the boldness of the cobalt blue walls. The red chair seats, shades and flowers connect the red dots.
Miles Redd’s Living Room
Courtesy of Architectural Digest
This is one of my favorite rooms of Miles.  The red corner banquette is stunning the pink walls.  The art hung “salon-style”, the zebra upholstered door, and the patterned floor are brilliant. Who would not LOVE to attend a cocktail party here?!?!
Interior Design by Miles Redd
Another favorite from Mr. Redd.  The vibrant sofa and rug anchors the space in this New York apartment. The abstract black and white painting converse beautifully with the zebra footstools and the chair fabric.
Interior Design by Suzanne Kasler
Suzanne Kasler uses a pink tinged cranberry red in this serene living room to accent the shapes of all of the furniture.  The color borders each sofa cushion. The striped fabric accents the rectangular shape of the Louis 16th chairs, and the red stool seat draws attention to the curve of the seat.

 

Interior Design by Yours Truly
My daughter Evelyn absolutely adores red.  When she saw I was doing a post on the color red, she asked me to include this image of her old bedroom. Her room consisted of sveral pieces of inherited furniture that we tried to pull together and update.  The bedside tables and bookcase were orginally stained and we lacquered them black. The graphic pillow is from the 1950s and was a gift to her great grandmother. We were able to reuse all of the fabrics in her new room, but also added a red grosgrain ribbon border around the room inspired by Alessandra Branca. Ms. Vreeland would be very proud!
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