The Rights and Wrongs of Reds...

Now that both our daughters’ weddings are done and dusted it is time to update the blog. Yes I agree, two daughters getting married 6 weeks apart is interesting!

Right, down to business. We are just putting together some details for a magazine article and we were asked what reds do we like to decorate with? The answer we gave was a “French Red” and of course the next question was “what is that”? We were not sure we knew the exact answer to this so after a bit of research we have decided that “French Red”  has blue in it unlike pillar box or crimson red. French Red has a deep warm tone, more like a burgundy wine. The fabrics we like are the Kate Forman “Pandora” and the Nicole Fabre “Mariotte, Moulin Rouge” both these linens hold the colour in a beautiful soft dense way.

Nicole Fabre Mariotte Moulin Rouge Fabric
used to band curtains

In the picture above the Nicole Fabre "Mariotte Moulin Rouge" is used to band a curtain made from de la Cuona’s Peasant Cloth Cove, a wonderful weighty linen, beautiful when used to upholster or curtain.

The picture below with the Romans in the Kate Forman Pandora shows this fabric in a sitting room in a Dorset cottage, used here it gives a bit of punch but does not overpower. The neutral linen curtains and F&B Light Gray paint work set it off well and the wall lights in bronze sit beautifully with this colour, so much better than brass or chrome.

Sitting Room with Roman Blind in Kate Forman Pandora Fabric

Although we love Red fabrics we find red paint does not float our boat, all a bit 1980’s. However what can look fabulous is say Zoffany’s Raspberry Sorbet  painted on the walls of an old Elizabethan sectioned timber framed wall where the colour is broken up with oak framing and the walls are not at all regular. This can look deep, rich and warm; make sure to get some velvet and brocade in there too!  We have come to realise that to use red paint at all successfully on walls, they require an amount of detail, say panelling so as to not look one dimensional and flat.

Never use strong reds in large light airy rooms - even if they are dining rooms - always stick to light colours. However if you do have a north facing room without much natural light, whatever the size, then may we suggest The Little Greene Paint Company’s French Grey Dark. This looks fabulous with a French Red fabric at the window or on the chairs, in fact all the French Grey scale looks good with French Reds – soo much French!

Bedroom with Nobilis Check Headboard
and Red Wool Throw

 

 

The picture above with the red check fabric as a headboard and the throw in red wool, shows how this colour can work as a sensational show stopper in a small but punchy bedroom. This fabric from Nobilis gave this tiny bedroom just the right amount of detail without being too busy. The walls are papered in Andrew Martin’s Blazer Charcoal wall paper, again that deep grey brown sets off the red tones.

 

Whilst we are at it, the feature wall has surely had its day. Either be brave enough to paper/paint a whole room in a strong colour or do not bother! Get some fabulous original artwork which can move with you when the time comes - so much more of an investment!