Do You Love a Pop of Red in your Home & Wardrobe?
Red is certainly having a moment in both the fashion and design world right now. There’s a renewed appreciation for the bold statement it brings, and we seem especially connected to its vibrant energy and impact in both our wardrobes and our interiors. Calling it a “comeback” feels inaccurate since the primary color can never really go out of style, but it seems like people are particularly tuned in to its impact right now in their homes and their wardrobe. Do you love a pop of red in your home and wardrobe?
Taylor Migliazzo Simon (the designer who popularized the concept on tiktok and social media) defines the “unexpected red theory” as “basically adding anything that’s red, big or small, to a room where it doesn’t match at all and it automatically looks better.” Annie from Most Lovely Things discussed the Unexpected Red Theory in her post you might enjoy reading here.
Do you Love a Pop of Red in your Home and Wardrobe
Beautiful Tudor House in the Kent Countryside
This beautiful restored tudor home in House and Garden stopped me in my tracks. The owners hired a dream team of designers and architects to lovingly restore it. The group was headed by “architect Ptolemy Dean, who is an authority on the conservation and restoration of historic buildings, Gary Jones of specialist building company Dædalus Conservation, landscape designer Tom Stuart-Smith and the interior designers Sarah Vanrenen and Louisa Greville Williams, who now work independently but at the time were collaborating under the name Vanrenen GW Designs”. All photography by Simon Brown.
This charming family room with various accents of red is so inviting. I love how the subtle pattern of the down filled cushions of the sofa, compliments the playful mix of patterns, and the different shades of red in the rug.It also lightens up the heavy brick & beautiful beamed ceiling. The unexpected dynamic coffee table with its bold color combinations and all the other tasteful touches create warmth and intimacy.
This dining room is the perfect balance of modern and vintage with its mix of antiques and the contemporary chairs. I am not usually a fan of this particular style of dining chair but love the playful element they bring to the antique dining table. The red accents make this room pop. I adore the rustic bottle lamps with the red lampshades, the terracotta brick.
The design team did an amazing job of adding a playful modern feel to what I am guessing was more of a heavy tudor with dark woods. I am guessing the beams and posts were bleached to make the room look more current.
Do You Love a Pop of Red in your Wardrobe?
There’s something refreshing about the unexpected pop of red in fashion. Adding red as an accent color is the easiest way to amp up your style. Adding a pretty red handbag, a pair of red shoes, a bold red dress, a red leather jacket, red pants, a red coat, red boots, a red blouse, or even a scarf is a great way to transform an outfit with just a hint of boldness. How about a red lip, Red can add warmth and energy without overpowering a look, bringing energy to even the simplest pieces. It’s a chic, refined way to make a statement without saying a word. Even if red isn’t your favorite color, what about a classic red lip as an accent color?
I penned a post a while back on How to Look Great in Red After 50 that you might want to check out if you want to add a pop of red to your wardrobe.
Outfits of the Week with Pops of Red
What about adding a corduroy blazer, or a red sweater for a pop of fun? Pair it with things you already have in your own closet. I am not a huge fan of holiday specific clothing that you only wear a few times a year. Think about how many ways you could wear a red blazer throughout the season.
This red blazer would add a fun pop of color to your wardrobe and be super versatile for the holidays. Of course it is not currently included in the sale but many other red items are here.
Add a statement piece, like this great leopard dress from Chicos, a great layering cashmere t-neck from Quince, boots and fun accessories for an interesting style statement.
In the above look, a pretty leopard dress from Chicos, a great layering cashmere black turtleneck from Quince, boots and pretty accessories compliment the blazer. You could also switch out the black turtleneck for a red top without the blazer for a simpler look.
Faux leather pants (from last weeks outfit of the week), a leopard turtleneck, ballet flats and inexpensive earrings from Amazon
Shop Outfits of the Week
Food and Wine’s 31 Hearty Soup Recipes
It’s finally soup weather here and I couldn’t be happier. I found several new soup recipes that I plan to try from Food and Wines 31 Hearty Soup Recipes.
Pops of Red in my Former Chualar Home
Right before we moved away I ordered some red pillow covers that I only used for a photo shoot. Our current home has orange hued beams and doors so I have never used them here. If you love red in your home, you might enjoy my post Refresh Your Family Room With New Pillows here.
I prefer neutral colors on my foundation pieces, and then I layer in colorful hues and patterns that can be switched out seasonally for interest.. The ricketty side table tones down the modern coffee table. The mexican saltillo tiles were always a bit of a challenge color wise especially when adding red.
MARTHA ON NETFLIX
If you haven’t seen Martha on Netflix you might want to watch, and see why “Martha is slamming her own Netflix Documentary”. Martha is a complex individual as we all know. There is a lot of chatter on the internet here. I can’t wait to here what those of you who have seen it have to say about it. Please share your thoughts in the comments.
CHRISTMAS SHOPPING & CHRISTMAS DECOR
Raise your hand if you would love to get your Christmas shopping done early. I am on a mission to do so. If you need a small gift for a friend or want to add something to your Christmas decor you can check out my Amazon store here. I also added some of my favorite Christmas decor items to my store here. I had no idea Amazon had such great Christmas decor.
SALES OF NOTE
BANANA REPUBLIC FACTORY-50% OFF EVERYTHING ANOTHER 20% WITH GAP CARD
BANANA REPUBLIC 40% off FULL PRICED PURCHASE
50% OFF KIDS AND BABIES & 50 % OFF GREAT GIFTS
J CREW FACTORY 40% OFF EVERYTHING
J CREW 40% OFF FALL FAVORITES AND SWEATERS AND OUTERWEAR & 50% OFF WOMENS BOOTS
There’s a great article from Real Simple The “Unexpected Red Theory” Could Elevate Your Home and Fashion Game here. You can also find numerous articles on the unexpected red color theory here.
Do You Love a Pop of Red in your Home & Wardrobe? Do you have a favorite shade of red? Do you have a perfect red that compliments your skin tone? How do you feel about the unexpected red theory? Have you watched Martha? I can’t wait to get this discussion going.
Be sure and pop over to visit Annie and Mary Ann to see what they are up to this Sunday as well. I will be back next week on Tuesday with some of my favorite jean looks.
You asked, so here goes :). Not a Martha fan. Always found it a bizarre combination – her becoming a billionaire off of ‘professionalizing’ the work that most women are relegated to doing for free (however much some may enjoy parts of it) plus the 7+ extra hrs a woman puts in on household chores pr week vs a man, regardless of employment outside the home. Then there’s her lack of self-awareness (see comments on husband’s infidelity vs her own) and wow! level coldness. The fact that she doesn’t like the series suggests to me that it has a lot of unflattering truths.
Hi Gilaq
Interesting thoughts….
Oh how can we not love Martha? She has been a huge influence to me-and I am grateful for her making the art of home something to celebrate. My sister worked with her years ago and she was kind enough to sign her cookbook and send it to me. She shared that she was very nice.
The Netflix special-hmmm, it was odd. It was a bit dark and an interesting edit. Successful women are judged so harshly than men. Her words spoken by a man-would we still be saying the same? Something to ponder.
As a redhead-I love red, cannot wear it but love a red shoe or red in my house. Cheers to a positive week-hang on, it is going to be an interesting one! Thank you for another great post.
Hi Sandy
Thanks for weighing in. It was an interesting documentary. I am not sure why they focused on what they did. I admire Martha for what she has accomplished. Is she a nice person….not so sure…
I love a pop of red in my wardrobe as well as any room that would benefit from a touch of that vibrant color. I used to have a red room! That was years ago. I absolutely loved the house in UK that you shared.
Have a great week.
Karen B.
Hi Karen
I adore that home as well! Perfection!!
Cindy, I love the leopard with pops of red, great outfit ideas! I have always used red in accessories and in my wardrobe as it has such a vibrant energy and makes me feel good! I don’t really use red in my home except for holiday decor. The beautiful home you featured is such a warm and colorful space with fabulous pattern mixing. Inspiring!
Hi Ginger
Isn’t that home wonderful? I don’t have a lick of red in this home either!
Cindy – I have never been a red person, in my home, garden or wardrobe.
But once I went gray – I embraced it in my lipstick and am trying to add pops here and there.
Martha was great, but I agree with Juliet – I wish they had showed more of her homes and behind the scenes at the magazine.
Hi Gray
You know I love a red lip!! I agree with you and Juliet, it would have been fun to see more of her homes!
Sign me up for the denim, leopard, and red combo.
Yes, to red highlights in fashion.
I’m wearing all blue denim today with a navy belt and navy Margot Vivaias, but I’m carrying a little red woven handbag and that pop is great! Especially as it’s been windy enough for a hip-length camel trench jacket. The red is just what the outfit needed to lift it along.
PS: I’ve just purchased a leopard print pair of Margot Vivaia’s. The Margots are like walking on air and I find normal shoes difficult now.
I have been curious about the Vivaia shoes for my tricky and picky feet! Your comment has encouraged me to try a pair, thank you!
Hi Prue
I am so glad Vivaia’s have worked out for you! I have a pair of their loafers and a pair of boots and find them sadly to tight in the toebox for my bunion. I know so many love them.
Cindy! This Tudor home is unbelievable. Love all the color including the reds. As for red in my wardrobe, I stay away from it thinking it’s a bad color for me. But seeing the way you’ve styled a red blazer, particularly with leopard, has me wondering if I should give it a chance. I watched Martha on Netflix and loved it, but I wish there was more. I felt like they spent so much time on the trial and her experience in prison and missed so much of the wonderful work done at her Magazine, plus where were her homes? I finished it wishing it had been multiple parts. I’ve read she wasn’t thrilled with it, so maybe she’ll do one of her own and fill in the blanks. xo
Hi Juliet
I totally agree about Martha. I think they focused too much on the negative. I would have loved to have seen more of her homes etc.
Cindy I love the red in homes! This is such a lovely one. Your outfits are so chic for fall. I love the leopard and red mix. Looking forward to adding a little bit of both to my closet. All your homes have been so inspiring to me!! x0
Hi Kim
Thank you so much. You know I love your home!!
I have always liked Martha. I learned a lot on house keeping, cooking, maintaining my off season linens and clothes…so many things. I’m very fair and look terrible in red. I were blues and neutrals and tend to decorate my home the same. We don’t have Netflix so unable to watch her documentary. I would love to see it.
Hi Sydney
I had Martha’s book Entertaining for years and finally tossed it in the move. We have all learned so much from her. Her rose garden at her home in Connecticut was so inspiring!!
I just wanted to comment briefly that I have always liked Martha Stewart and enjoyed the documentary. I do not think she and I would ever have been friends… but I may be wrong! Some of my lifelong friends have been a little like her, although of course not quite as PERFECT. I have always been definitely NOT perfect!
I love red, but I’m very particular about the shade of red. For many years I have preferred what I call “Chinese lacquer red,” but depending on the setting, a washed-out red is perfect with denim. Anyway, I’m always looking for a perfect red, and really enjoy the search!
Hi Eva
Love your comments about Martha!
Love that Tudor house. Love the mix of patterns and colors. Can’t wait to check out your store. I could spend the whole morning on this blog. Good stuff kiddo.
Hi Sandra
Thank you so much…you are my idol!!
That Tudor home is amazing. The people that live there MUST be happy.
Hi Mary Ann
That house is to die for isn’t it? I know I could never do that much pattern or red but I LOVE it…The sofa is particularly enchanting…The fabric is almost a neutral isn’t it?
I have been A red gal.my entire.married.life (over 60 yrs). Main color in home with black, tan, white.
Accessories only for clothing. Try to plan outfits from.after Thanksgiving to Valentines Day with a touch of red . Maybe A little on Memorial day and 4t ie, Shoes, ball caps, jewerly. Gotta have the spirit. Ha! Ha!
Love A print red silk scarf but not the $50 price tag.
Martha has to be admired. I have always been A fan. Have not read the article yet, but have heard lots.of talk about the article. Still miss her products.
Thanks for your posts!
Cindy, as usual, your outfit combos are such a hit with me. I also like denim, leopard print and red. My red has to be a tomato red, not red with blue tones . A few of those pieces were sold in my local consignment shop when I realized they were too cool for my warm Autumn colouring. I am no longer adding to my wardrobe since my dramatic downsizing , post separation, but I have a wealth of options to choose from. My challenge is creating unique ways of storing my things, and those that are for warmer weather will wait in bins until many can be culled for consignment next spring. The money from that ‘side hustle’ goes towards either my vacation fund or something for my little home.
I love UK version of Country Living which gives me so much in decor, crafts, recipes and vacation ideas within the UK, one of my favourite destinations due to family ties there.
Unfortunately , Hearst UK no longer recognizes North American subscriptions, so I may be able to find an issue locally , a month or so later. I still receive their monthly on line newsletter. Filled with so much to enjoy. The interiors are usually leaning towards more country styles in older homes, not the more posh ones found in more upscale homes.
Colours used are often historical ones, which does not mean boring. Due to the grey skies, colours often were bold . I use red as pops of interest, and currently on my mantelpiece, have a print of an old chair holding a few pieces of aging enamel ware with berry laden branches in a tin jug, and beside it two old leather bound books with a pine cone, and faux red pears on top. On the table nearby is a bowl filled with faux crab apples in reds with pops of green. Autumn colours before Christmas cheer begins in December. Not sure what that will look like for me since I have fewer and smaller decorations to use this year. But fun to do nevertheless!
I know red is a strong color and many find it too in your face but personally, I love red, in small doses. My front door is red and I have touches of red in my decor but nothing big and in your face. I would never paint my chairs red, nor buy a red sofa but a cushion, a tchotchke, yes. I have many red jackets/and coats. Too many of us wear black coats, especially in the winter. A red coat stands out in the sea of black. Even my SUV is red. I just bought a new one and my friend asked what color. A side look gave her the answer. lol My previous one was shiny red too.
As to Marthe Stewart, I have mixed feelings. Yes, she built a brand and is a very successful business women but there was always something in the way she spoke that seemed pretentious. I watched her shows in the early days but then she fell off my radar. All that to say, I probably won’t watch her documentary. We’ll see…
Great post! Love Martha. I learned to cook from her ‘Quick Cook’ recipe book because it was so simple! Still use some of those recipes and she had great advice for pantry staples for spur of the moment entertaining.
Loved the couch in the Tudor home and also your couch. Have you written a post on couches? I searched but couldn’t find one. Any guidance on couch shopping would be welcome.
Again, always nice to start Sundays with your blog. Thank you.
I’ve always used pops of RED in my homes. Can’t live without it!
What I call ‘Oatmeal’ decorating is restful, but also boring.
I selected a burgundy long sleeved T to wear this Fall and Winter and this is about as close to red that I will get except for scarves , My local Banana Republic and J. Crew no longer carry petites in their stores but have them on line; I just drove 20 miles to return a petite blazer to J. Crew so have decided to search for another brand as an alternative. I am 5 foot tall and don’t mind tailoring pants and sleeves but beyond that it is way too pricey. Love the animal print handbag and the flats! Noted the most elegant ladies in Paris wearing animal print accents over the years. No mater the time of day the French chic is fabulous. Appreciate the effort you take, Cindy..always helpful, thoughtful, and excellent content to review. Dianne
Hi Cindy, the featured red living room really caught my eye! I like a pop of red in my home, but not in my wardrobe…as for the Martha documentary, I really enjoyed it. I was an early follower of hers, enjoyed her old tv series, and of course subscribed to her magazine. (I saved the premier issue!) Also, I loved her small collections you could order, like her copper cookie cutters. As the saying goes “it’s (was) a good thing”
I grew up learning from Martha Stewart things like ironing to which I was not aware that I was no doing it correctly, gardening and just how to keep house. Back then her first tv shows were just her educating us on how to keep house. I always thought she was terrible in a group like her later tv shows she or after watching the documentary I realize she was made to do those. Through watching the documentary I realize too why she was so harsh and distant…never a warm kind person…although in the beginning she stated one of her most disliked things were people being mean just to be mean….but she grew up being like her father it seems…understandable. A very smart woman who can surely stand her ground. It did seem she was thrown under the bus by her friend who stated she actually said her broker tipped her off about the stock. Her husbands wanted a more loving, warm woman and it seems Martha wasn’t able to be like that. Sad. Perfection comes with a price it weems but I admire her hard work. I too do not like red in my garden….small touches maybe.
I have quite a bit of red in my bedroom in spite of it being a color that is not supposed to be tranquil. I have a toile print with red and even painted a little bedside table that was white in a red. I think it was a Martha Stewart paint color! I have mixed feelings about Martha. I think I got overdosed on her at a certain point. Not sure if I’ll watch the documentary or not; I’ll wait to read what other people have to say about her here.
Hi Cindy!
I love a pop of red with accessories on me . . . and as a tribute to my grandmother who had pops of red in her kitchen, I chose red, when my mom gifted me a KitchenAid years ago. Since then, my family has gifted me my collection of LeCreuset in red.
Red brings energy and vitality styled clean and bright, and I love how it can bring the red in the fire warmth when styled with naturals and deep neutrals.
I also adore how Ralph Lauren approaches red.
Wishing you a best blessed Sunday, friend!
🥖♥️ Lynne
With regards to the ‘Martha’ documentary on Netflix: Both my husband and I found the film very interesting, very honest and nothing candy-coated. Lots of her life information revealed that we were never aware of. Martha is an amazing woman that has and continues to live an amazing life.. in many forms! ‘Martha’ is definitely worth watching and receives a ‘thumbs up’ from me; I’ve recommended it to many of my close friends.
Hi Gigi
Martha is fascinating, isn’t she? You might enjoy reading some of the articles I linked to. Apparently she is not happy with it now.
Hi Cindy, Off topic … I really enjoy your social media..
And .. I have a question that I hope is not too personal… love all your fashion posts and would love it if you could show us your closet arrangement or show us how to organize our wardrobe?? Love your style and information you provide.
Thank you
Hi Jetemy
My closet is in flux right now as we switch seasons. I don’t have a pretty closet like many influencers. Mine is carpeted with orangey wood cabinets. At some point we are going to get rid of the white carpet (when Scout gets past the chewing stage) and replace with seagrass. Maybe then my closet will be photo worthy. I am going to feature my office in an upcoming post as I have many of my accessories there.
I have a bright red leather couch, with brindle cowhide on the back. I live on a ranch in West Texas. It’s not my favorite, but I let my husband choose the color when we were ordering the couch. I’m a very neutral color person in my decorating and choose accessories with color. My husband told me he never got a say in anything in our home, so I let him choose. He loves it, me not so much but I have lived with it for 8 years or so. It is a very beautiful couch, but I would have chosen a lovely caramel color. 🙂 but marriage is about both being happy, and we are at 44 years, so I guess it works. Lol. Maybe I’ll share a picture someday. I love the touches of red in the Tudor home – the rug is gorgeous. I admit, it’s a little too much red for me, but it’s very beautiful overall. I own a very beautiful long red wool coat that I pull out for funerals in the winter and I always get compliments. I’ve owned it for about 25 years. My hair is the same color as yours. I always love your posts! Thank you for the time you give for our enjoyment.
Hi Denise
My brother and sister in law had a red leather sofa and chair for years. They too have been married for many years! I think that sofa has a story similar to yours. I think my sister in law loved it and my brother in law not so much ha ha! Compromise is good!
P,S. Haven’t watched Martha documentary yet, bur I can’t wait to watch!
I think you will enjoy Martha.
Hi, I haven’t seen a blog since early November. I love to see all you are doing. How have I lost your blog? Even at 82 I’m a big fan.
Cindy- that Tudor home is beautiful. Love the mix of colors and patterns. And I do remember when you used red in your Chualar home! I love those pillows!
And I love red with leopard!
Xx
Hi Annie
I adore that home. I am not quite as bold with pattern and color but I could move right in!