HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY, Y’ALL…. AND CHEERS!
As I may have mentioned a time or ten, I LOVVVEEE Pinot Noir wine – matters not about the label, plain or fancy – I like it all! I even noted my distinct affection for this DELICIOUUUUSS wine in my FAVO-RED things lyrics (By the way, have you written your darn lyrics for the contest yet? If not, do not pass GO, do not collect $200 until you have visited blog one of this series – 3 days ago – for the scoop). Okay, so back to the Pinot Noir… Basically, well, I JUST FLAT LOVE IT (Have I said that already?). As a matter-of-fact, I might even be typing this blog at my house with a filled-to-the-brim wine glass sitting right next to me at this very moment… And now, I might even be taking a dainty sip (*GULP!*) of that very glass of wine. As much as I enjoy partaking (*GULP!*) of this delectable beverage, I try to (AHEM!) keep in mind that TOO much of even a wonderful and tempting thing can be verrrry, very baaaddd! In this case, too much Pinot Noir leaves me with a splitting headache to beat the band the next day! Like someone is rolling over my head with a lawnmower with razor blades attached to it. Often, it is true that I even LOOK like I have been run over by this same lawnmower the day after I overindulge. As my very animated friend, Jene, has told me on several occasions, “You took drunk!”. Yep. Sophisticated Southern lady… that’s me. And here is the point of all of this (*GULP*)… Don’t use too much red when designing a room, or it will give you a headache! Granted, that may not have been the most refined way of sharing that information (*GULP*), but from my years of design experience, I generally (not always, but mostly), like to use red as an accent in rooms, rather than as the dominant color. As discussed in a previous blog this week, red is an extremely powerful color. It evokes very different emotions in different people, some good, some not. If used incorrectly or in too much volume, red can easily create a feeling of stress or unrest in a space. That being said, it is wise to use it sparingly, unless of course, you have a specific point-of-view, which requires its use in large quantities If you do have a desire to use red in large quantities, it would be a smart investment to engage a professional designer in the process in order to increase your chances of a harmonious outcome. (*GULP, GULP, GUULLLP!*)
Pictured below are some wonderful examples of beautiful red accents, which can be translated into the décor of almost any home.
Wendy Blount, chooses a red Murano glass chandelier to complement the painting over the fireplace.
Jill VanTosh, uses red accents on the ceiling, throw pillows, and painting of this otherwise black-and-white room.
Mark McInturff designs a bathroom in which the red walls reflect in the mirrors, creating the illusion of additional red accents.
This dramatic bedroom, created by Marjorie Skouras, uses fabric with fuchsia-red flowers as a lovely sprinkle of color.
In a lodge-style room designed by Marjorie Skouras, a few splashes of red in the room, including an eye-catching bench, is all that is needed to add some “spice” to the space.
I found this photo from a July 2009 blog post from one of my favorite sites called Design Therapy . This photo is from one of the projects they designed in Bridgehampton, which was featured in the magazine Hamptons Cottages and Gardens. A small red section of the painting immediately captured my attention! GREAT accent!
Okay, so let’s review (* LAST GULP!*)… Wine is good… (*hiccup!*)….. Too much wine is bad….. I apply the same concepts to my Myrtle Beach interior design projects, and if you do the same, you will be on your way to not having a headache… or looking like you got run over by a lawnmower. By the way, did I mention I LOVVVEEE Pinot Noir???
P.S. Even though this is the last day of my “Favo-Red Things” blogs, you still have time to submit your entry to the contest. Can’t wait to hear from you!
