I’m starting a new feature here on Surroundings – the #COTM Color of the Month! I’ve selected a dominant color and complementary colors to coordinate with it which will loosely tie to each month of the year. I’m very excited about this new feature and I hope you will enjoy it as well! It should come as no surprise that the color for October would be Orange Crush. What with all the pumpkin spice this and that, it’s the only way to go. But, I wanted to share some inspiration images that I think fit the theme and open our eyes to the uses of this vibrant and oftentimes garish color. Many people don’t actually like orange and some even downright hate it. I personally love it, though have never actually used much of it in my design projects. But, maybe a deep dive into the color will help turn us skeptics around!
Of course, there’s one orange that is highly covetable – the iconic orange Hermès box. However, what’s inside is always even better! I usually festoon my October mantle with my Hermès scarf on my black iron bust with the box serving as colorful backdrop. (see above).
Now, all oranges are not the same and I’m certain this gorgeous upholstered chair (or sofa, hard to tell) with bronze nailhead trim would never fall into the “garish” category.
Another darker orange upholstered piece – how fantastic is this tufted burnt orange velvet banquette at the Shoreditch House kitchen in London?
Gray is such a perfect complement to orange. Or, maybe it’s the other way around? A splash or orange brings some life into a gray space.
Of course, if you want to amp up the drama, a deep teal is a wonderful complement to this ginormous dark and faded burnt orange banquette. Restaurants really seem to dig this color palette, don’t they? Wondering if there’s some color psychology around orange being a stimulant to appetite. It’s probably true – red is stimulating.
And again, what a striking color palette, no?
Allright, one more!
It’s not just gray that can benefit from a little pick-me-up with the addition of our #COTM. This beautifully textural and neutral living room in a farmhouse in Napa is really brought to the next level with the addition of the small burnt orange settee.
How welcoming is this pretty orange door with gray trim on a rustic front porch? It feels like such a wonderful transition from outside to in – which makes for a perfect entry way.
And finally, I’ve put together some fun finds for our #COTM Color of the month October Orange Crush – just in case all of the above has put up in the mood!
1. Wreath 2. Candle 3. Flask 4. Pillow 5. Chair 6. Rug 7. Dog bed
Please note that these product links are affiliate links with their respective merchants who pay a small commission on the sale of any items, which helps keep the blog going!
One one final question: Orange ya glad it’s October Orange Crush??? (sorry, couldn’t resist!)
Stay tuned each month for the #COTM Color of the Month posts – which will usually happen in the beginning of the month. But I just came up with the concept today, so am just getting October in by a hair!
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Well…I AM a fan of orange! I use it as a highlight color in my living room, runner rugs in hallway and kitchen, and in the kitchen! Most of our walls are various (only 2!) shades of gray so the orange works perfectly. Our back hallway is Sherwin Williams ‘Copper Harbor’ and I love it. I’m sure someday I will tire of it, but for now, it works!
Sounds fabulous Libby!
Oooooh, I love the first tufted burnt orange velvet banquette! And that orange door with the wreath. Yummy!
I know Squeak! Can’t you imagine just sitting there drinking coffee all day?
Totally agree with you that gray is such a perfect complement to orange. I’m also bog fan of this color;for interior design …I would go on the dark one 🙂