Seeing Red

Thinking of bringing this embraceable hue into your home? Red is a power color to be sure, and isn’t for the faint of heart, but its sweeping spectrum of shades allows you to set just the right tone. Opt for rosy raspberry, lipstick red or a rich wine, each casts an inspired mood for looks ranging from the rakish to the refined.

Use red generously for a lavish effect. Barbara Kotzen of Kotzen Interiors, LLP, showcases rich red tiles in this custom bath that is dripping with opulence, thanks to the painstaking inlay and the addition of gilded mirrors.

(Interior Design by Kotzen Interiors, LLP; Photography by Sam Gray)

Interior designer Susan Reddick of Susan Reddick Design, Inc., concurs that deep reds and maroons suggest “grandeur.” The color is “stately and calming,” she explains, and well suited to the dining room. Reddick even goes so far as to suggest the perfect paint color for this effect—C2’s Gorgeous. Indeed.

But red doesn’t have to be confined to the classic. It can also take on an exuberant disposition, as seen in this contemporary living room display by Roche Bobois Paris. This fresh shade of ruby is only enhanced by the clean lines of their Arobase sofa, and softened overall by the plush pinks of the rug.

(Arobase Sofa, Roche Bobois Paris)

Red is a bold, bright color that is destined to turn heads. But when you have the color red highlight a sleek, modern table such as the Astrolab dining table by Roche Bobois, you’re sure to have a conversation starter. This table expands from 78 inches to 110 inches by a remote control. 

(Roche Bobois Paris)

Red says “welcome” when flanked by rich millwork and earth-toned details. In Battle Associates’ custom designed kitchen, below, the brick-red backsplash and range’s control knobs are radiant alongside the hammered copper range hood. The warmth of this look rivals anything served steaming from the oven.

(Architecture by Battle Associates Architects; Interior Design Janice Battle; Photography by Bill Fish)

(Fallon Custom Homes & Renovations)

Can’t commit to using this vibrant tone with a bold hand? Use red “as a splash of color” to enliven a monochromatic interior, suggests Susan Reddick. Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams master this design tip in the living room arrangement below; it is crisp and dynamic, thanks to the stunning leather Kennedy sofa that serves as the focal point.

(Kennedy Sofa, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams)

The white kitchen gets a modern twist with bold splashes of red in this home built by JW Construction. Black and white with hints of color liven up the room without overwhelming it. 

(Built by JW Construction)

Lastly, don’t shy away from shine. Red looks fantastic with a lacquered finish. The high gloss and fluid form of this kitchen island bring personality and verve to McDougal Architects’ kitchen design.

(Architecture by McDougal Architects; Interior by Beth McDougal; Photography by Andrew deLory)