The Colour Red

This year the festive season may feel different to previous ones, but the fun of planning can still be enjoyed – from what to cook, to curating the perfect playlist, and of course designing your tablescape, are moments of anticipation and times of joy.

This month we delve into the delight of colour, in specific red. A key feature of the season, red has a deep history, and its bold hue can feel intimating to work with when setting up the perfect dinner table for celebrations - let us look at how to work with all the nuances of this wonderful colour.

What is red?
Red is a primary colour, it is the first colour babies see after white and black and it has a rich cultural history. Prehistoric artists used ochre to make a red pigment to paint on cave walls, it was a colour of victory for Romans and the Aztec clothing featured vibrant reds. It is also a deeply religious colour; Christians link it to the blood of Christ, and in Buddhism it is one of the five colours that emanated from Buddha when attained nirvana. The South African flag has a block of red to represent the hardships fought in the fight against apartheid, and in Chinese cultures red is often a bridal colour and is seen as representing happiness, vitality and good fortune.

Red is hugely emotive bringing contrasting connotations, but ultimately it is a colour that is deeply imbedded in so many cultures and is clearly important to many of our lives.

Colour pairings
The traditional Christmas pairing of green and red is not the only way to celebrate the season. For this London autumn / winter 2020/21 season, colour specialists Pantone have a number of reds in their palette – 3 out of the 10, plus an orange and tawny that sit on the extended red spectrum - red is on trend this year! This season colour is “a story of mindfulness… stripping back of colour to the essentials” Leatrice Eiseman says, the Exec Directory of the Pantone Color Institute.

Through their imagery, Pantone have used red as a highlight, the accent, the fun. Therefore, build your tablescape and surrounding decorations with your favourite colours as central, instead of being in overwhelmed by red.

Interior designer Nicole Fuller recommends pairing robin’s egg blue with oxblood red for Elle Décor, explaining that the richness of the red balances the brightness of the blue. Along the themes of blue, a navy or slate blue with a cardinal red will give a strong sense of contrast, or a teal and scarlet can feel cozy and calm. Pantone’s seasonal Ultramarine Green – sitting between blue-green – is a cooling option to pair with classic reds, reminding us that the traditional combination isn’t all cliché. Regency green or deep forest shades can add wintery sophistication against details of crimson.   

The joy of red is that it has many shades – pink is just a lighter shade of red, after all. Therefore, take a step back from vibrancy and build softness with shades of dusky pinks, sunset oranges or corals, whilst weaving in this season’s Tawny Birch. Copper is a great way to nod towards the warmth and vividness of a red, without the intensity, adding that to the table through cutlery is a modern touch; design label valerie_objects have some creative options. For more inspiration, Elle Décor have put together a list of various shades of red, it would be hard not to find one to fall in love with!

How to pop
Turning to interior architecture for inspiration is a great way to re-think how to use space – even if the reference points are far larger than your dining table! This year will show you a growing trend to use reds to accentuate space. In Berlin the newly designed Remi restaurant has a cherry-red for all its joinery and storage, bringing colour blocks to the pared back interior. Unknown Architects have broken up space in a new Amsterdam apartment with bold oxide-red steel columns. And in Perth, the pizza restaurant Dough Pizza has used burnt-red tiles to create a soft, nostalgic feeling of a rustic Italy.

These three examples give an idea of how touches of red can be used in fun and sophisticated ways. Layering colour, playing with hues and being confident with red allows for you to incorporate vibrancy to your space that matches your own personal taste.

Recommendations of red -

For simple, elegant pops of colour candles work wonderfully and Frau Gold has a number of modern options such as the Aurora and Neon Golden. Murano glassware, artisan handblown glass from Venice, are colourful quirky additions to any table and can provide some fun to formal dinners. For a touch of the personal hand embroidered napkins allows you to weave in reds, with thoughtfulness.