Go Red at Home!

One of the great things about February is that we get to focus on the color red during what can be a gloomy, middle of winter month. Whether it’s increasing awareness of women’s heart disease with the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women or just enjoying the red hearts that come with Valentine’s Day, vibrant red is everywhere!

However, here in the land of beige, otherwise known as Johnson County, there is no red to be found, or any other color, save brown and variations thereof, once we go home. Area home magazines seem to showcase the same living room every month with its requisite tan walls and mahogany accents. “Tuscan” style has become a catchall for homes that are tastefully neutral and although I’ve never been, I doubt they bear close resemblance to any region in Italy, unless we’re talking about the wine cellars.

When did we become so adverse to color? Was it the pink bathrooms of the 1950s? Did the avocado green and harvest gold appliances and matching carpet of the 1970s push us to go strictly vanilla at home? Have we over-compensated for the style mistakes of previous generations? Historically, wealthy landowners infused a rainbow of color throughout the home. One look at Mount Vernon or Monticello confirms that our founding fathers embraced color and in fact, selected a different hue for every room. While that may be a little over the top for 21st century sensibilities, a pop of color couldn’t hurt!

I am not ashamed to admit that I am addicted to color. I have a red dining room, a red couch in the hearth room, a lime green kitchen complete with green and red tile backsplash. Color is a mood-enhancer for me and red always seems cheery. Some believe red signals aggression but it puts me in my happy place! The key to color is balance. If the walls are a bright color, then furniture should be muted. If you have brightly colored furniture, tone down the wall color. The goal is to have striking visual elements but not so much that they compete with each other.

If colorful walls or sofas seem like too big of a leap, then start small with colorful art, pillows, or a rug. That pop of color will most likely become your favorite area of the house!