Sunday, November 1, 2009

C'mere, pumpkin.

Orange is a color we have strong feelings about.

Orange mood

Maybe you love it. Maybe you hate it. Maybe you're on the fence.


Maybe you love it on other people, or on other people's houses.

Bicycle in front of an orange house

After all, some people can pull it off.

Orange room + white accents by Jeffrey Bilhuber

Le Creuset 'Flame' cast iron collection + vintage poster in designer Wary Meyers' kitchen

Orange is exuberant. It's got nothing to prove.



Orange living room: Painted mantle + round mirror

'Ciara Yellow' by Farrow & Ball: Moroccan style by Barry Dixon

But orange can be subtle, too. Orange is a status symbol, stacked smugly on a shelf.

Eclectic office: Pale pink + bold lines, designed by Windsor Smith



sara story gramercy park home office open shelving shelf desk

Orange paint is one way to get your fix. Designers have their favorites.

Orange paint: Designers' favorite colors

Benjamin Moore has pumpkins of all stripes.


And if you can't commit to four walls, try one.

Bright, modern office: Orange paint + chocolate-brown accents

Pattern mix: Orange bedroom + taupe + white + bed curtains

Or paint the inside (or outside) of your bookshelves.

Ideas for the office: Gray paint + orange accents + playful details


Or there might be some orange upholstery in your future. Orange velvet, in the right space, is dreamy.


Velvet daybed + painted bookshelves in open-plan living/dining room

White living room + orange & green accents

Modern, colorful living room: Blue + yellow + graphic prints

Village loft: Orange accents + dark hardwood floors

Orange toile is decidedly un-toile.

Modern mix: Painted orange hall + orange toile bench

And your Seasonal Affective Disorder is no match for an orange-and-pink palette.

Colorful, modern bedroom: Pink + orange + white + Saarinen side tables

Orange artwork does the trick, too.

Orange decor: Modern art + vintage cocktail table, from Elle Decor

Orange + green: Modern art + traditional furniture

Or a throw or quilt.

Dark + modern: Gray library + open shelves + orange throw

Dreamy blue-green Hamptons bedroom: Benjamin Moore's 'Spring Mint' + white trim

Green + white + orange bedroom: Modern wallpaper + colorful rug, by Nickey Kehoe

And remember: those orange boxes don't need to be French.

Ideas for small spaces: Custom bookshelves + dark walls: 'Iron Mountain' by Benjamin Moore

14 comments:

  1. I'm beginning to incorporate Orange again. In the 70's my parents chose the orange and white decor for me and green and white for my sister so I hated it for a while. It is a color that can't be forced, but now that I can choose for myself I can appreciate it and would be very happy with the modern orange and white I used to have (similar to the orange and white bookshelf pic above)

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  2. I love orange, except maybe not on that house.

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  3. My fave colour- PERIOD! Just started following you, great blog!

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  4. I painted one wall in my kitchen orange (the rest of the kitchen is white) a few years ago, and I love it. I was actually afraid to do it at first. I had never used such a bold color in my apartment, but I was so glad I did. It has really helped to make the kitchen an even happier, vibrant space.

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  5. Can I just tell you what a great blog you have here? Post more, please! I've been looking through google images for living room inspiration. Again and again I was drawn to photos from the same place - xJavierx's photostream. Finally, I decided to check out the profile and here I am. If you check out my blog, you might wince at this next statement (our house is a work in progress that's still pretty much ugly) - I think we share a very similar aesthetic. I really hope you post again soon. Until then, I'm checking out your archives :)

    Jacci

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  6. Oh yes indeed! I do orange...happily!
    Fun post!!

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  7. Orange is such a fun color! It can do a lot to brighten up a room (or mood for that matter). I especially love the inside of the bookcase idea.

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  8. Hi!! I found your blog featured on Desire To Inspire, and I love what you have here!! I especially love your writing, it adds a flair and humor to the interiors, totally enjoyable! Thank you for a great blog!!

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  9. Javier, have loved your flickr pics, glad to find your blog, have added it to my blogroll. Hope you are still posting - happy new year!

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  10. So glad I found you! Do you have an email address I can use to ask you about using your photos?

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  11. Love orange, and with gray - how delicious! Your blog is adorable!

    Laurie

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  12. wow, fabulous images. I love that yellow carpet!

    welcome to say hello at my place!

    Tiina
    http://elcestockholm.blogspot.com

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  13. Great swipe collection.

    This post decided it for me-I am totally going to change my oxblood hall to a golden orange as all my other colors are going to be muted purples and blues. I can hardly wait!

    -htg

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  14. i really really really love orange.
    i have been considering
    doing my office at work orange.
    they say it encourages creativity.

    wonderful blog

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