It is Sunday so I am joining my pals Mary Ann and Annie for our Sunday faves. It is the “month of love” and the color of red holds center stage. Did you know that the color red is the first color babies see after black and white? I didn’t. Red Alert: Do you Love or Loathe this Vibrant Hue? Let’s chat about it.
Did you know that red has the ability to increase heart rate and stimulate appetite? It has been associated with both love and anger, passion and danger. Whether you love it or loathe it, it is a power color. There’s no denying the attention-grabbing power of red. Is it a go-to color for you?
KATIE RIDDER-A TOUCH OF RED
Interior Designer Katie Ridder is known for artfully mixing color, pattern and texture. I love how she incorporates red in her interiors without it being “in your face”. You can see all of Katie’s beautiful designs on her website here .
Katie’s first book Rooms was a huge success, her latest book More Rooms is even more inviting. The book that she penned with her acclaimed architect husband Peter Penoyer A House in the Country is also a longtime favorite of mine. Photography by Eric Piasecke
FOOD AND WINE 18 RECIPES FOR A ROMANTIC DINNER
Food and Wine recipes rarely disappoint. If you are planning a romantic dinner for two or four, you might enjoy these 18 Recipes for a Romantic Dinner. Lucky us, we are going to friends, so I won’t have to cook. I will share my superbowl menu next weekend.
RED IN MY FORMER GARDEN
In my current home red in the landscape seems out of place. The surroundings are green, the color palette (the warm brown tones of the stone and the blues of the pool) dictate the gardens.
I do miss my roses that I collected over the years. Here is the standard rose the red fairy. I love the bold color against the green leaves.
My bouganvillias, in vibrant shades of burgundy and hot pink, which were so easy to grow in Chualar and at our fixer upper are absent here. I love how the yellow green an lemon yellow contrast the vibrant red.
HOUSE AND GARDEN 21 WAYS TO USE RED PAINT
Do you feature red in your home? If you are considering painting a wall or a room in your home red you might find this article from House and Garden 21 Ways to Use Red Paint helpful.
OUTFIT OF THE WEEK
I love a crisp red shirt and this oversized version shirt from a (new to me company,pixie market) is on sale (love the longer in back styling). Old navy has a similar poplin option at a great price that I have linked below the graphic. The pants are from Spanx (I have mine on order). I have also linked a cute pair from Chicos. The zebra flats are on sale at Rothy’s. The scarves (yes you heard it two for the price of one) are dirt cheap on Etsy. The beautiful Ikat bag is also on sale on Etsy. You know I love a red lip and I have never found a better option than the Chanel has better staying power.
VALENTINES TABLESCAPE IDEAS
Are you looking for ideas for a small gathering in a red color scheme? You can find the details on this tablescape in my post How to Create a Collected Valentine Tablescape Here. Deep orange tulips look just as at home as red roses in my opinion.
I created this outdoor tablescape for a Simple Outdoor Valentine Gathering here.
So, do you love or loathe red? As with any subjective topic, the answer is personal. Red is also known to cause anxiety or raise your self-esteem. It is definitely controversial. One thing is for sure: red has a way of making a statement and leaving a lasting impression. So embrace its vibrancy and make it work for you. Unleash your creativity and embrace it if you love it. As the saying goes, “when in doubt, wear red.”
We have a birthday party in the a.m tomorrow and then we are having a few people over for the big game. We will be rooting for the 49ers, but I know all eyes will be on Taylor Swift. Thank you for reading Red Alert: Do you Love or Loathe this Vibrant Hue? Now let’s pop over and visit Annie and Mary Ann for their Sunday faves.
CLASSIC CASUAL HOME
MOST LOVELY THINGS
Yes, red is my favorite accent color. It adds zip to a neutral background.. I’ve never been a fan of turquoise for home decore, but love it in clothing.
This comment is late, but I love red too. Always have.
I confess I have not been happy about orange-masquerading-as-red, which has been predominant in women’s clothes for a while. If it’s more a middle of the road red (like an American flag) or a blue red I’m all in.
And red in decor can be such a boost. I love one of your approaches, to make it a part of a bigger range of hues.
And Katie Ridder is amazing!
I love red in my house it looks regal. I have only red roses in the garden. Other than boxwoods too. I do not love red vehicles and never owned red vehicle. I don’t wear red often…just Christmas and Valentine’s. Love those shoes.
Yes, if you look around our home, you will see lots of touches of red mixed in here and there in almost every room if in fact, not every room. Our living room las a large oriental carpet in deep turkey red, and turkey red loveseats. Our dining room chair railing is painted in a deep burgundy color to the floor, the sun porch has red in the linen cushions on the wicker, and every other room has touches of red within the art and/ or other accessories. I find it a regal touch, not jaring or over stimulating. It’s warm and comforting! Currently for the month of February, I have lots of red touches in my various vignettes that pay tribute to the month of love. I should share a post of my own.
Thanks for sharing all these charming ideas. I’m eager to set a red themed table with new to me red vintage transfer ware heart shaped plates and, and I’m off to check out your links for your red shirt and those darling black and white shoes. Thanks for the inspiration.
Also, do you know the book Red on Red by Stephanie Hoppen. I think you would like it.
I have touches of a soft red in my bedroom but it’s a shade that doesn’t keep me awake because it’s in small doses. I would like to find more red to add to my wardrobe but it hasn’t happened for a few years. What’s the feeling about red nails on older hands? I read years ago that it’s best not to draw attention when are hands age but I think it can still look fabulous on some women. Happy Galentine’s (or Palentine’s) Cindy!
I like a little pop of red. So many great examples. Your table setting with the suaani is so gorgeous. Happy Valentines Day.
I used to have a crimson red family room. I loved it until I didn’t. I think it’s so pretty to see touches of red (pillows, table settings, clothes) but overall, I tire of too much color. Your Valentine’s table setting was so pretty in your linked post.
Karen B.
Hi Karen
I feel exactly the same way. At my age, I know I am not going to be redoing my house all the time, and I prefer a neutral backdrop.
I have a cute red felted bag that I carry every February. That’s it for me. Not a red person at all.
Ha!! I like a touch of red, but not too much! I don’t have any in this house.
Love Love Love Red!!
I ended up segueing from today’s post to your 2021 post about the huge screen tv your husband purchased, and “you almost cried when you saw it.” I wanted to know if you had changed anything since you jerry-rigged a poster (?) to go over it.
I was helping my bachelor son decorate his small living room and I almost cried when I saw that he had purchased a huge tv to go on the only wall where the sofa would go.
What is it about men and their huge TVs. I guess I should be glad that he didn’t purchase all black leather furniture for his cave.
I don’t know Paula, they sure love them, don’t they? We still have the giant tv. I was hoping it wouldn’t fit in the built in (the only possible plase it could go but low and behold it did. It doesn’t look as awful in the larger space, but I am still not a fan.
Red car, red kitchen,red shoes. Love red!
Go Jill!
That tomato red you feature in your OOTW is the only red I can wear well. I have a few items in that color, and I love wearing them. Jane Iredale’s Poppy lipstick color was recommended for those of us with “spring” coloring, but I find it leans toward hot pink on me. I have more success mixing a couple of drugstore-purchased Revlon shades that I own.
Aside from the Valentine’s Day hoopla, this is American Heart Month, so it’s a great time to wear a little red to bring awareness and show support for those who know the struggle of maintaining heart health, far too many of whom are women.
I love the Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes. I think Taylor and Travis are rather sweet, and I really don’t understand why THEY are faulted for the attention others insist on focusing on them. That said, as a longtime Californian it seems wrong to root for anyone but the 49ers! Whatever happens, it should be a great game!
I agree Sarah. I think Taylor is someone to be admired. Someone our granddaughters can look up to. She is talented, smart, a hard worker and adorable!
Hi Cindy! Red in very small accents only in my home, and no red clothing for me. (Love that shirt but wish it was available in another color.) Go Chiefs!
Hi Diana
I thought that shirt was good too. Loved the cut. I am sorry they didn’t offer it in other colors.
I’m a big red fan! I think it is a powerful, confident color. I like a red coat or jacket instead of all the black ones spotted around during our dreary winters. I have a red front door that I get a lot of compliments on. I have a touch of red inside in decor. I find red walls, furniture, carpets, etc. to be too much, instead opting for just a hit in my neutral home. Even my SUV is red. lol
I’m not a football fan but my hubs does watch it. I’ll be digging into a new book today.
Am I the only one getting tired of Taylor Swift being in the spotlight all the time?
Hi Joanna
I agree with you in regards to red. I have a red linen jacket (Eileen Fisher) that I have had for years. I always get compliments when I wear it. The media does run things into the ground.
I like red in small doses. It dominates our house during the holidays and then again for Chinese New Year After CNY when we put the red away, my house looks and feels serene and I love it.
Hi Nancy
I got out my brick red pillows this year. It was the first time I had used them in this home and I kind of liked them. I will be happy to stow them away soon however.
Absolutely love red! And your tablescape for Valentines Day is my favorite from any blog or magazine. Ever. Now I have to go find my Chanel lipstick!
Hi Cindylou
I have probably reminded you of this a thousand times but cindylou was the pen name one of my best friends from high school gave me. I smile everytime I see it. Thank you so much for your kind words.
One of my best friends gave me that nickname. I love it!
Hi Cindy,
Love red!!! Everything red! Makes me happy! We have a red car, red oven,I wear red clothes (great with white hair), red glasses, & of course your red Chanel lipstick! Great out fit of the week! Really like the blouse! Thanks!
Hi Nancy
Don’t you love that chanel lipstick. I sure wish it were cheaper!!
Love red but absent in my home, garden or clothing except occasionally Channel red lipstick. I feel most comfortable wearing neutrals or shades of blue or green. Happy Valentine’s Day Cindy.
Happy Vday to you too Maggi!
No to red clothes! But I do like red accessories like a
red leather calendar cover or notebook, iPhone case,
nail polish and red flowers! Red really does evoke
a range of likes or not!
Hi Char
I like a touch of red as well. We all sure have strong opinions about it don’t we?
I’ve always loved red. It’s in almost every room in my house. Before the dining room became the library the carpet was red. Now, dear one, the carpet is leopard! It is not currently in my garden which I have shifted from perennials and roses to woody plants. I have red in accents in my wardrobe. Red, white and black is a classic in any application. We’re in Chief’s Kingdom. The Chief’s Era is everywhere. I wasn’t a Swifty but I have come to love her intelligent spunk. At 74, please pass the red and gold glitter.
Hi Patricia
The garden in this house is similar to yours, but I do have one area where I have David Austin’s planted. I am hoping they give a good show this year. Red and gold glitter coming your way!!
Love a touch of tomato red…after realizing how much better it looks on me than a darker red ( with a drop of blue in it) . My fall / winter acquisition is a red bouclé 3/4 coat with hood…very cosy and lots of compliments. It goes with my Autumn palette very well, and with a leopard print top peeking out, it’s my latest power outfit. I can be seen easily, which is important with some rather scary seniors around here who should be relinquishing their driver’s licences!
Regarding what colour babies see first… 🤱🏼 now I know why my second baby didn’t want cuddles… 😬 I wallpapered the little nursery with an IKEA red & white hearts …obviously traumatized the kiddo! Sensory overload? ❤️❤️
Hi Cath
Interesting story!!I need a touch of blue in my red as well particularly now that my hair is white.
As a “winter,” I’ve always loved wearing a true or blue red, and some would say it’s my signature color. Maybe it’s because I’ve had a red car, have red doors on our house, red tops, red lips, a red purse, red shoes, a red Kindle cover . . . you get the idea! lol Surprisingly, I haven’t decorated with red indoors, but I do love red geraniums and petunias in our outdoor pots in the summer.
We are on the same page Barb!
Go Niners! Faithful since the 1980’s…..
I had a friend who was obsessed with red – I mean it was everywhere! Red bathtub, red tile in kitchen, on the floors, furniture, etc etc etc Her home was happy, but SO RED. Her red car’s license was OLIVERED
I am a bit of an anti red person yet do admit to how powerful, loud and happy it is.
Cheers and Go Niners!
Hi Dianne
The game was so disappointing wasn’t it? Darn it!
The beauty of the outfit that you styled is that red doesn’t have to be the accent color if one doesn’t want it to be. Just substitute your preferred accent color: in my case, it might be green or blue (preferably not navy) or purple. Pink, orange or yellow are other colors I can see working.
Hi Leu
You are exactly right. Bright green, fuschia, electric blue etc would be just as lovely.
Good Sunday morning Cindy,
Love ❤️ love❤️ love your table scapes. You always create “the Cindy look” and do it so brilliantly.
We have two pillows in a dark red/burgundy color as accent pillows to bring life to our sofas because they are drab looking.
Our rose garden has some gorgeous red roses. This is the only color of red we have in our garden.
I love like YOU do that red lipstick and the color of red is fabulous for clothes during certain times of year. It’s a vibrant color and I like it on you when you wear it once in awhile.
Go GO Go Niners. SF was my home town and it would be so nice to see them win since the Super Bowl has not been a win for them. At the same time I like the Chiefs too. I guess it’s unusual to be rooting for both. I just hope no one gets hurt. I find football to be very brutal. Have a fun party today, and birthday celebrations are always so much fun.
Hi Katherine
The game was so disappointing but shout out to Purdy. That guy is amazing. I do love a red lip and so does Taylor!
I love having some red in my wardrobe, right now I’m wearing a red turrlenedk sweater. I think it’s perfect with my grey suede leggings! I once had a pair of red suede mules with a kitten heel and I always had compliments when I wore them. I think red goes so well with black, white and grey. But a little goes a long way!
Hi Kathy
I like a little red in my wardrobe as well…especially now that my hair is white.
I have splashes of red throughout my house – the kitchen (especially) and most of my artwork in the living room has some red. My wardrobe did not have any red. . .until recently. . .just bought a red coat and definitely won’t get lost in the crowd 🙂 A fun post. Thank you.
Hi Lynne
I love a red coat!!
Never been a red fan. No red in my home or garden. The only red in my wardrobe is small accents on shoes or scarves. I DO like a red lip now that my hair is white! And thanks to you, I know where to get it and how to apply it. ❤️
Hi Gray
I completely agree about red and the white hair. I think our hair is similar in color and texture!
Love Red! Lipstick, clothing, in the house as an accent, and in the garden!
There are certain reds that I really like, but orangey red is NOT one of them. It just doesn’t compliment my skin, at all.
I used to have a full set of nails for work, though not now that I’m retired and gardening more. I always chose what I called “Chinese Red.” It’s brilliant and clear.
Hi Eva
I love my red lipstick as well. Chinese red is a winner.
I love red but it’s too bold for my home and garden. I also love orange which looks better on my coloring. All men seem to love woman and sport cars in red. Love your fashion pics this week. Might give the red blouse and zebra shoes a try if they are available.
Hi Marlene
I am coveting those zebra shoes too!
Hi, Cindy,
Red in my house, red clothing for me, No red in my garden.
Go Chiefs! 🙂
Hi Nancy
Congratulations to your chiefs.
Hi Cindy…
I like your outfit of the week, I could see myself in that. Actually, I love all
of your outfits of the week!
Yes, after 29years we need A Win! Go 49’ers
I am so sorry the 9ers didn’t pull it off. It was so close!
RED is my color! I enjoy my red coat for Christmas thru Valentines.
Don’t wear red other times. So enjoy our red/white/blue in the summer – all summer. Beginning with Memorial Day thru Labor Day.
Red is the color in my home with blk and white. We get lots of compliments.
Must add we decorate traditional/country living in a cape code home on the East Coast.
Thanks for your post. I will be waiting for the next one.
Hi Nan
You New Englanders really know how to celebrate the seasons. Our seasons are so subtle here that we can’t bring out the pumpkins too soon or they will rot. Often times it is in the 70’s & 80’s through Xmas.
Good morning Cindy,
I have never been a fan of red by itself, but I love red, white, and blue together. Red lipstick or stain worn rarely, but looks stunning with black and white outfit! Have fun today with your friends, and have a lovely Valentine’s Day!
Hi Cheryl
Happy V-day to you too!