Seeing Red

Red has one of the longest wavelengths of any color on the fan deck, which is why the human eye notices it so quickly. It carries a wide range of emotions. It can symbolize passion and energy, yet with a shift in mood it can move toward anger or fear. Throughout history, red has represented different meanings in different cultures, and it remains an important part of the fabric of our American flag. Red has always had a place in decorating, and it is becoming popular again. When colors return in the cycle of popularity, it is usually the way they are applied that changes. In earlier years, red often took center stage and became the main feature in a room. Today, red is stepping into a softer role. It is becoming a supporting presence that draws you in and creates a sense of calm. Let’s peek into the living room of a Lantana model to see how red has been re-introduced in a way that feels updated and inviting somewhere in the heart of The Villages.

  •  The Challenge
The challenge in this space was that the room was filled with red furniture. The first thing the eye noticed was the abundance of red. The lanai added even more of it, with red cushions on the chairs and red umbrellas visible through the glass as you looked out toward the view. We wanted to soften the presence of red without removing it entirely because replacing all the outdoor cushions was not part of the plan and the homeowners still enjoyed the color. They just wanted a softer approach to red.

  •  Get a red rug
The homeowners were a bit surprised when I suggested adding a red rug. The idea of bringing in such a large amount of red seemed no different than keeping the red furniture. We selected several beautiful rugs with soft red tones and touches of green and blue from an online retailer, and their software allowed us to place each rug in the room before making a purchase. This helped the homeowners see that the red in the rug was a brick red, much warmer and more relaxed than the bright red of the sofas. These rugs were made of wool, which offers natural stain resistance and are easy to keep clean. The homeowners decided to purchase a rug for both the living room and the dining room. When the rugs arrived, they were stunning!

  •  All new furniture
The homeowners wanted all new seating pieces, but they also wanted to maintain seating for five. They were completely comfortable with not having a sofa or a loveseat. I loved this direction because I have wanted to create this type of layout many times, yet most homeowners feel unsure about letting go of a sofa. They purchased two new recliners in a sandy tan leather. Then they selected two additional chairs to place together in front of the sliding glass door where the sofa once sat. These chairs are very comfortable stationary pieces. They are made by Best Home Furnishing Company, and the style is called the Mariko. We covered them in a charming sage and cream gingham fabric. They added one more chair on the left side of the room called the Kaylee, also by Best Home Furnishing Company. The Kaylee has been one of the most comfortable swivel chairs, and I have recommended it for years. We covered it in a sage performance fabric that will take a beating and look great for years to come.

  •  Decorative pillows
The chairs needed decorative pillows to bring a touch of the red back into the space at eye level. We found wonderful options online at Pottery Barn. These pillows were embroidered with red, green, and blue flowers and finished with a red and green fringe. They were exactly what the room needed and helped distribute the red throughout the space in a balanced way. Do not hesitate to choose large, full decorative pillows. They always look better and they fill the back of a chair in a way that looks as if they were designed for the chair.

  •  Focal Wall
The large focal wall in the space needed attention. The homeowners wanted storage and the flexibility to purchase larger televisions over time. They selected three triple drawer stacks and two cabinets that filled the wall with useful and well-planned storage. Once the cabinetry arrived, the wood worker installed each piece and added a stained wooden top that brings warmth to the room and visually connects to the wood on the coffee table. He finished the wall above the cabinetry in board and batten and painted the entire surface in the same white as the cabinets below. The wall now makes a statement worthy of being called a focal point, and by taking the design all the way to the ceiling, the room feels larger and brighter. The wooden top includes a space for cords to pass through so seasonal lighting can be displayed without clutter.
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Before and After Images Below