Live Breathe Decor

I’ve been looking at this shelf in black for a home office project I’ve begun work on, but then I saw it in red. A pair of these would look fantastic paired with the black wing chair I’m using as a desk chair! I love the style of this shelf but I also like the pop of the colour. It got me thinking about using red to pull a room together:

I really like the red of the door and cabinet against the coffee-coloured walls (above). If the walls were white it might be a little too ‘Christmas’ for all year round!

Another room featuring a pop of red and chiang mai dragon fabric, but this time ‘pulling out’ the blue from the fabric. The red rug and table really brings warmth and cosiness to this living room.

A red dining chair is a great way to introduce some cheer and warmth to a room. It can look sophisticated or more ‘country’ depending on what it’s paired with. I remember a few years ago seeing a house decorated for Christmas in Traditional Home magazine, where the dining room was painted pea green and an antique table was paired with lacquered red, vaguely chinoiserie-style dining chairs, similar to the ones above. There were lots of reflective surfaces too; mirrors, glass hurricanes and giant mercury glass baubles hanging from the chandelier. It was quite formal but the red chairs made it fun and more accessible.

I’ve also been admiring this room (above). Of course I’m a big fan of blue and white, and the aged patina of the French and Gustavian pieces here paired with pale fabrics is just beautiful. But don’t the red barn doors give the room something extra?

And speaking of gorgeous red doors! I’m tempted to paint my front door a glossy red just for the Holiday season – would that demonstrate some sort of tragic over-commitment to decorating? Seriously though, the combination of black, white and red with some touches of real greenery is a classic that never dates. It just so happens it’s perfect for this time of year too!

Have a great day xx