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Inspiration: Decorating with Red

by | Jan 29, 2009 | Decorating Inspiration, Details

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Inspiration: Decorating with Red

Be Bold.

Inspiration: Decorating with Red

Be romantic.

Inspiration: Decorating with Red

Be dramatic.

Inspiration: Decorating with Red

Be sweet & subtle.

Inspiration: Decorating with Red

Be brave.

Inspiration: Decorating with Red

Be cozy.

Inspiration: Decorating with Red

Be unique.

_______________

photo 1 & 2 Red dining room & red dresser Country Living

photo 3 & 4  House Beautiful

photo 5: Red kitchen Southern Accents

photo 6: Red and white day bed House Beautiful

photo 7: Red House. Taken during my visit this summer to Gearhart, Oregon

77 Comments

  1. Vee

    It does take bravery to be bold, but what great results you’ve shown here. Since I lack courage, I’d be most happy with sweet and subtle. However, I’ve always followed the old adage that every room needs a pop of red.

    Vees inspiring blog post..An Eclectic Mix of Fluff and Stuff

    Reply
  2. Misti

    Love me some RED! Red and deep oranges are my favorites. The first picture is on my trusty bulletin board beside my desk. It is the perfect red for all of the bright white! Love it…

    Hey, are you still doing drive bys? Haven’t seen any from your new place yet… looking forward to more.
    ~Misti

    Misti @ Studio M Designss inspiring blog post..A Peek into the Master Bath

    Reply
  3. Katie

    I used to use read all the time, but have now toned down! The pictures are great!!

    Reply
  4. Jan

    I LOVE the red.

    We had our 2 long walls in our kitchen (where all the cabinets are), painted a beautiful RED. I painted it shortly after we moved into our new home 3 years ago.

    Late last fall, I re-painted those walls…with a glazing technique over a new color – green. With all of our re-decorating (throughout the entire house), I’ve gotten rid of all the RED accessories that were everywhere, too.

    I find that even though I LOVED and still love RED…I’m much more CALM and RELAXED without the RED.

    It’s interesting how COLOR affects each person differently…isn’t it?

    Jans inspiring blog post..CHENILLE Day…

    Reply
  5. anne

    Such a great post:-) I like the Bold, Subtle and Brave…so different I know..I wonder which one I could live with the longest??

    annes inspiring blog post..There are times…

    Reply
  6. Michelle

    I’m sure you know already that the first picture was taken from a woman who purchased and decorated a manufactured home. The layout, and her design work was so beautiful and very inspiring! These types of homes can prove to be a real challenge to work with, but she did an amazing job.

    Love you site!
    Michelle

    Reply
  7. Rhoda

    Red’s a great color, esp. with Valentines coming up. I’ve got a red diningroom that I’m going to be changing out to something lighter. I’ve loved it for a long time, but I’m ready for change now.

    Hope the boxes are becoming less & less! See you in a week.

    Rhodas inspiring blog post..The black architectural piece has landed

    Reply
  8. Krys

    I am absolutely in LOVE with the idea of adding red to my home.
    After looking at these photos, I realized I only have 2 pieces of red in my home: my Santa collection which stays out year round is housed with my dishes in the china cabinet in the dining room (now I realize what I love besides the fact that they are Santas IS the red!). And the only other thing I have are the walls in my library which are painted a deep cranberry to contrast with the oak shelves and trim. (Yes, I know, deep cranberry is nowhere near red! Hence my eagerness to add some!)
    I have a great opportunity to do it at my lake house. We recently added on a 2nd floor – I think I’ll first start to incorporate some red in my dining room and in my sitting room. The DR has a color on the wall called Melted Butter and the furniture that goes in there is a medium fruitwood. Eventually the Santas will be relocated to that dining room so that will bring in some red without much difficulty.
    But I have a sitting room that is currently painted with 3 white walls and one wall of oak cabinets backed with that Melted Butter color. I like the idea of adding some red with pillows or perhaps a printed area rug. I’m going to take it slow since we will be buying some new furniture for this room and building some window seats… The cushions… hmmm…

    Kryss inspiring blog post..Please explain this to me…

    Reply
  9. lisa

    I came across your blog by accident and now I’m hooked! (until two months ago I didn’t know blog land even existed) Anyway did you know the owner of the house that your showing today has a family home in Gearhart . He’s taken a very traditional beach house and put his own touches on it. One wall in his kitchen -dining area is a glassed in garage door so that when he wants, he can open his house to the outside and enjoy the deck. He’s done a few other things also and yet when you see this house straight on you would never know. It’s pretty cool. I hope you didn’t move too far away so you can still enjoy the Oregon coast! Lisa

    Reply
  10. teresa

    Oh I love red- every home I have ever owned has had a red room. Right now our library is red. {Fox Red} Great pictures!

    teresas inspiring blog post..Made with Love-

    Reply
  11. Astrid

    I really love red. It’s a warm, cozy color. My tiny library is a very deep blood red and I love it. I’m sure lots of people wouldn’t have painted a tiny room like this a deep, vibrant color but I did. I think the red would lose its impact or OOMPH if it were painted in the majority of the house.

    I like that last photo and the one of the kitchen. Very unique indeed!

    Astrids inspiring blog post..The Christmas Aftermath

    Reply
  12. Violet

    My dining room is half red. It is a great accent color. Many of my Christmas decorations are red and when I get them all put away my house feels so colorless! (except for that half-red dining room : ) When I look in the bedding department of stores or in catalogues, I am always drawn to bedding sets that have red in them – especially red florals. Perhaps that is why I am bored with my brown/blue comforter set I now have that seemed so pretty at the store, and is quite peaceful, but it just doesn’t have that ‘snap’! Perhaps I should listen to my heart?

    Reply
  13. Songbirdtiff

    Red is THE color. Every other color was meant to compliment it. :)

    Songbirdtiffs inspiring blog post..

    Reply
  14. Denise

    Like this red!

    Come on over to my blog for One Heart One World Giveaway! Win some Bon Bons!

    Denises inspiring blog post..BOSTON TYPEWRITER ORCHRESTRA

    Reply
  15. Valerie (Belgium)

    I don’t really love red in decoration, but I LOVE the “sweet and bumble” you proposed !

    (if you want to see my – belgian – old and new – kitchens, please visit my blog)

    Have a nice day Melissa !

    Valerie

    Valerie (Belgium)s inspiring blog post..Cuisiner, oui mais où ?

    Reply
  16. Janet

    BE-U-TI-FUL ! I love them all, AND I love my red sofa.
    (that’s for all the people that said, “you’re buying a RED sofa!?)

    Janets inspiring blog post..Lovin’ me some West Elm

    Reply
  17. Susan

    These were inspiring for me because I am seriously considering painting the base red of a marble topped table that I have. It’s a gutsy move for me, but I am drawn to the idea.

    Susans inspiring blog post..Ox

    Reply
  18. Chrissy

    I love them all. Red has always been a favorite for me! I have a red wall in my bedroom and in my kitchen! It does take several coats of paint to get red looking “right”! Thanks for sharing, I love the pics!

    Chrissys inspiring blog post..Valentine Projects!!!

    Reply
  19. Kathleen

    Good Morning,
    I just found your blog and I’m really enjoying this post! We just painted our dining room and kitchen red and I love it. It’s such a vibrant, happy color. Thanks for the great post.
    Have a great day!
    Kathleen

    Kathleens inspiring blog post..Snowy Day Thriftin’

    Reply
  20. {this is glamorous}

    Love this post, Melissa! Had no idea red could be so lovely! The top two images are stunning! Hope you’re having a great week, and yes, I know it’s actually Thursday this time and not Friday :)

    xo

    Reply
  21. Debbie

    Hi Melissa, I love RED! It is a great color to decorate with. I posted about my red quilt in my bedroom today! Love all your pictures today with red in them. Hope you are doing well and settling in!
    blessings,
    Debbie

    Debbies inspiring blog post..More Vintage Tablecloth decor

    Reply
  22. jennykate

    I ♥ RED! I use it in every room of my house…living room, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom…EVERYWHERE!

    Reply
  23. Jena

    RED is my favorite color and I have always loved to use it throughout my house! THANKS for such lovely RED post! It is perfect for the Valentine season!

    Jenas inspiring blog post..HEART necklaces for that "SPECIAL SOMEONE"

    Reply
  24. Irene

    Hi Melissa! I love the way you handled different aspects of red. To my surprise ‘romantic’ is the picture that cought my eyes, though I am usually more ‘modern classic’ than romantic. Well done! I hope everything works out ok with your new home. Take your time and enjoy.

    Irenes inspiring blog post..Taki the Noble Cat

    Reply
  25. Kim~HomeIsWhereTheHeartIs

    I’m loving all the red! I’ve been adding red touches to my home and just can’t get enough of red…never thought i’d be saying that!

    Kim~HomeIsWhereTheHeartIss inspiring blog post..~*Where I Blog*~

    Reply
  26. Holly

    I had a red house once…I loved it! In fact, I just started a series about the houses I’ve lived in, and the red one will be coming up.

    Hollys inspiring blog post..Parade of Homes: 1992-1994

    Reply
  27. Karen

    Absoultely beautiful photos!! People who do red are sooo brave! I think the white doors, wainscotting, trim work, (anything white) really makes it “pop”!

    Karens inspiring blog post.."Theme Thursday"

    Reply
  28. Judy

    I have had/have a love affair with red for many years. At different times, I always had a red room. However, now that I’m “going coastal” the only red room that remains is the sun room, which will probably go the way of the more neutral colors I’m favoring right now.

    I hope you all are getting settled in your new home and can’t wait to see what you do there!

    Hugs!
    Judy

    Judys inspiring blog post..Some Architectural Inspiration

    Reply
  29. Heidi

    Bold and BEAUTIFUL. I LOVE that kitchen~ definitely worth the risk. It wouldn’t work in my current kitchen but this image is irresistible.

    Heidi@TrulyEngagings inspiring blog post..In Love and War

    Reply
  30. Lazy Mom Leslie

    Red is my alltime favorite color, therefore I have tons of it in my home. Thank you for the beautiful pictures. I was starting to feel like I needed a change, but now I’m not so sure!

    Lazy Mom Leslies inspiring blog post..You Cannot Just Walk Around Naked!

    Reply
  31. Mrs. Q

    Oh, I love red! It is such an invigorating color. Actually, we love all the warm colors. Our kitchen is a deep paprika orange color. Warm colors just cozy up a place.

    I thought the house with a yellow door was a change from the houses with red doors. Although, I don’t know if I would want an entire red house! :) I do need to do something with my front door, it is terribly sad and uninviting. Sigh.

    Mrs. Qs inspiring blog post..The Paradox…

    Reply
  32. Fay

    I love the drama of red and painting my dining room a
    tomato red this summer…It’s yummy.

    Reply
  33. Melissa

    They are all lovely – especially the red wall with the white trim….and love love love the green door. That is the color of one wall in my craft room I’m finishing now – that green color inspires me and makes me smile….I’m glad I’m not the only one!

    Melissas inspiring blog post..Painting Update – House Tour

    Reply
  34. Debbie

    Red is actually one of my favorite colors. However, I’ve never thought to be so bold and decorate my home with that color. I had a red car one time. And I have some great pots and pans in red. But in the photo, it looked pretty cool.

    Debbies inspiring blog post..Thankful Thursday ~ Security

    Reply
  35. Cherri Engle

    I absolutely love the color red. I recently painted my kitchen a nice rich true red and I love it. My kitchen isn’t huge and with all the appliances and cabinets it’s not a whole lot of red but it does ‘pop’ really nicely. Thanks for sharing other red inspirations.

    Cherri Engles inspiring blog post..My ‘WORD’ for 2009

    Reply
  36. Megan

    My dining room is red!Well, one wall is, because it is also the walkway between the kitchen and living room. I actually posted pics of it on my blog earlier this week. This post reminded me why I love red SO MUCH!!!
    Blessings!
    Megan

    Reply
  37. Trazos y trozos

    Aún aplicando en pequeñas dosis, el rojo nos cautiva con su fuerza su vigor imprimiendo a la decoración una atmósfera romántica con el encanto de lo prohibido. Su irrefrenable atracción resulta tan provocativa como seductora. Aquí os dejo con las imágenes para que se inspiren!

    Trazos y trozoss inspiring blog post..Decorando con la sensualidad del color rojo

    Reply
  38. Victoria

    My name is Victoria and I am a Red-A-holic. I’m drooling on the screen at the site of all that gorgeous red! I try to say it’s not realy my signature color. And I am seriously contemplating repainting my red dining room and going all neutral in the living and dining area and kitchen. Then I see red and it makes me crazy with desire. You’ve just thrown a huge wrench in all my white slipcovered decorating ideas. Red is just so vibrant and vital. How can I live without it? Those red kitchen cabinets are The Bomb! As are all the other red drenched rooms.

    Reply
  39. Linda in AZ  (w/ DH & dawg)

    *Am soooo glad my GF sent me a note saying to run right over here~~~ and am so glad she did!!! What a JOY to see all this red… it’s happy n’ uplifting, crisp n’ straightforward, young n’ “hip” (if they even SAY that anymore!!! But, you get my drift ,I’m sure!)~~~ WHAT AN UPPER! Many thanks! Linda

    Reply
  40. Linda in AZ  (w/ DH & dawg)

    *****OOPS! Meant to say “…so glad that “I” (underlined!) DID run right over!!! *****

    Reply
  41. The Pleasures of Homemaking

    There’s something about the color red that makes my heart beat faster! I just love it! That’s why my house is primarily red and white. Beautiful inspiration pictures!

    Manuela

    The Pleasures of Homemakings inspiring blog post..Small Makeovers Count Too!

    Reply
  42. Kimm at Reinvented

    Red is my absolute favorite color, my dream would be to live in a house with ALL those rooms in it! Thanks for sharing the beautiful pics.

    Kimm at Reinventeds inspiring blog post..Saturday Shout-Outs

    Reply
  43. Sandy

    #7 does look like Oregon, doesn’t it? :)

    i’ve always loved red!

    Sandys inspiring blog post..Little Guests in My Home

    Reply
  44. Polly

    I like red but I’ve always found it hard to live with for very long. But then again, I move furniture almost weekly. =) Blessings… Polly

    Pollys inspiring blog post..Mr. Blessing Speaks

    Reply
  45. Rita Finn

    Stunning post! Diane Vreeland once said that getting tired of red is like getting tired of love.

    Rita Finns inspiring blog post..Vintage Style

    Reply
  46. Meredith

    These rooms are gorgeous! I’ve always been a bit shy of using red, thinking it will be too overwhelming. Happy to re-think it now.

    Reply
  47. DebbieW

    Hi My Sweet BFF,

    I love this post! I have a red dining room and it just makes me feel happy!

    I hope that things are going well in your new neck of the woods. Are you enjoying your new environment? How is your precious son settling in? I think about you all the time, and send you lots of love and happy thoughts.

    MWAH!
    Deb

    DebbieWs inspiring blog post..What Returns

    Reply
  48. Helen

    What a great post! Gearhart OR is indeed a place of magic! Red is the best!

    Helens inspiring blog post..For All You Sports Fans … Of Super Bowls and World Series!

    Reply
  49. meg duerksen

    red is my favorite. i gravitate towards it for everything….clothes, shoes, decor, paint…everything.
    love every one of these rooms. that red kitchen is awesome!

    Reply
  50. Jean

    I also love red. I have two red couches in my family room and never tire of them. I have red cabinets in another room and a touch of red in almost every bedroom. Red makes me feel warm and loved. I enjoyed all your red pics. Loved the bombe chest! Thanks

    Jeans inspiring blog post..Be Mine

    Reply
  51. Amy

    I love red. It’s my favorite accent color.

    Amy @ Living Locurtos inspiring blog post..Chinese Tea Party

    Reply
  52. Sue

    Be Mindful…..I spent the day painting one wall in my bedroom red…beware that red paint takes many many coats of paint…that’s many many many….But it looks wonderful and I’m excited that I found two adorable little red bedside tables at IKEA that just go perfect….Red is my signature color!!

    Sues inspiring blog post..GOOD FOOD…..GOOD CAKE….GOOD FRIENDS…..

    Reply
  53. Barbara

    I love using red in rooms. I used red as the accent color in my kitchen and painted my guest bathroom red. The color in the bathroom looks gorgeous, but always photographs orangish because of the incandescent bulbs. I need to work on my photography ;)

    Barbaras inspiring blog post..The Gentle Art of Domesticity – Beautiful Books

    Reply
  54. Barbara

    Oh and a tip for those who want to paint walls red. Use a gray tinted primer first, 2 coats preferably. It takes a bit more work and coats of paint, but it is worth it for the perfect red room.

    Barbaras inspiring blog post..The Gentle Art of Domesticity – Beautiful Books

    Reply
  55. Nay-K

    gorgeous pictures! the kitchen looks amazing!!! thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  56. Liz

    One day I hope to have a red dining room, but I think you need really high ceilings to carry off the effect well. But I love the pictures you’ve used as inspiration!

    Liz@VioletPosys inspiring blog post..There’s still time to plant…

    Reply
  57. Joy Cronin

    Melissa – I know I have told you before….but….Simply said, “YOU MAKE MY DAY!”

    My kitchen is red below the chair rail. It is Benjamin Moore Burnt Peanut Red. I repainted the kitchen, but just gave the red a fresh coat. I love it!

    Reply
  58. jane

    WOW, love the photos!!! almost wish i hadn’t painted my office, which used to be red! jkj

    Reply
  59. Jaime

    Great pictures! Some really unique uses of red there.

    Reply
  60. Fifi Flower

    GREAT ideas! I will use this for my CURRENT project! RED is the main colour! Clients’ favorite colour! SOOOOOOO glad I stopped by!
    I sooooooooooo ENJOY your site!
    Fifi

    Fifi Flowers inspiring blog post..Delighting Others via Design…

    Reply
  61. cynthia

    beautiful photos!
    love them all…

    can you tell me what that is hanging on the wall in the first photo? the “display” metal thing…

    LOVE IT!

    cynthias inspiring blog post..i wish…

    Reply
  62. Kim

    The red kitchen cabinets are beautiful! I think I’m going to get some sooner or later!
    -Kim

    Kim @ Forever Wherevers inspiring blog post..Hooked on Coffee and Proud of it!

    Reply
  63. Rosie's Whimsy

    I completely missed this post! I love Red! That kitchen is wonderful, wonderful, wonderful :-)

    Rosie’s Whimsys inspiring blog post..Sorry Dish Lovers!

    Reply
  64. Amy Bayliss

    I just wanted to come by and say congratulations for being one of the Internet Cafe’s Top 100 Christian Women’s Blogs of 2008! You are truly a blessing. Thank you for the many ways that you serve!

    Amy Baylisss inspiring blog post..Holiday Expo Giveaway!

    Reply
  65. carrie

    I’m enthralled with that lipstick red kitchen – what an inspiration.
    .-= carrie @ bloomacious´s last blog ..Seeing Red! Red! Red! =-.

    Reply

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  1. Romantic Ambience - [...] CWO–Creating a Romantic Retreat CWO–Creative Valentine’s Ideas at Home Decorating with Red [...]
  2. Will Decorating With Green Heal Your Mood? - [...] ♦ If you missed it…you might like: Decorating with Red [...]

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