Orange is not just for Hallowen

 Have you ever wondered why orange is associated with #Halloween?  There are numerous different theories, some say it’s because it’s the colour of autumn, while others say it’s a colour the Celts wore in battle. One thing is for sure - it’s a lovely colour to use at #home.

Orange in the sitting room is the perfect colour for all seasons. Get the right tone and it will be provide a hint of the Med in the summer but will keep you lovely and warm in the winter.  The trick is to use orange sparingly on accessories such as rugs, cushions and throws.  Don’t be afraid to use lots of pattern in those accessories providing your main furniture items are quite simple.

Homeowners are often keen to use red in a dining room - but orange will create a fabulous ambience. If you want to create a moody, earthy tone, perfect for candle lit dinners then go for burnt orange tones and wooden furniture. Even a period dining room will suit dark orange as its earthy tones work well with traditional rugs and open fires.   

If you have a conservatory, an orange rug will work really well, especially if you have exposed brick walls and real wood floors. Again, carefully selected accessories will help set the tone for the time of year.  A bright orange rug gives will suggest the warming rays of the sun, something more muted is will give a warm glow in the autumn/winter.  Perfect for curling up with a good book.  

We all know that oranges are packed with Vitamin C and if you choose orange at home it will be an instant pick me up thanks to its zesty, bright appeal and that’s why it’s probably best used in day time rooms.

Where ever you decide to use orange, the message is clear - it's not a colour to be scared of.

Trend Watch: Burnt Orange

Trend Watch

A new trend for autumn is burnt orange.  This is set to become a key autumnal shade and is a lovely colour for adding warmth to your home.  It’s important to realise that is has more brown than yellow tones which means you should go for darker rather than lighter complementary shades.

If you start with a burnt orange accent wall you can create a chic or a cosy mood.  If you’re going for contemporary chic, white walls and wooden floors work well.  Try white curtains, brown sofas and then splash your orange around on cushions, throws and with a rug like this one.

Going for cosy?  Use natural textiles and wooden furniture.  A log burner, a large chandelier and window treatments in burgundy or chocolate shades will create the mood you want.   This rug will look great in front of the log burner.

For more of a cool, Scandinavian vibe, another colour that works really well with burnt orange is pale blue.  This is a grown up look which has  quite a minimalistic feel.

How are you using orange?  We’d love to know.