Fear Red Not!
09/14/2006 05:27 PM by Gretchen Schauffler

Red is scary because, when it goes wrong, it is sooooo wrong. You know what I mean? It can be someone’s red toenail polish peeking out of the wrong shoe, a red lipstick that is a bit too shiny on thin lips, or an accent wall that screams, “Hello, look at me! ARE YOU LOOKING AT ME?”

Red conjures up all kinds of embarrassing moments, where the memory hijacks the situation and overwhelms you. That’s why when it comes to wall color, so many have reason to be afraid. After all, if it can be that wrong on thin lips, imagine it covering 250 square feet. Here is a dining room where the red does not steal the wood’s beauty. For this look, try Devine Cayenne, Devine Paprika, Devine Sangria or Devine Toile’.

Often I have been asked why my reds are not as bright as reds in other paint lines. Well, when it came to making red, too many of us were “seeing red” about red already. I had to make sure a couple of things happened.

I did not want my reds to overpower wood. And I did not want them to look like a temper tantrum in the middle of furniture and art. That is why I designed reds for background purposes. I was very lucky to have my paint partners, who made the right liquid finishes, keep my reds deep and rich without being dark or loud. (No more greasy reds or chalky reds!)

You can spend a lot of time talking about how much you love red while avoiding red. Your options are either to be afraid and live in fear like this, or embrace the power that this color has.

You can trust what you love and live like this.

For this look, try Devine Paprika, Devine Sangria or Devine Cabernet in a relationship with Devine Roast, Devine Hazelnut, or Devine Moss.

If you do not want to be faced with red, have it on top.
For this look, try Devine Cayenne, Devine Blush, or Devine Saffron with Devine Devine Maple, Devine Peanut, or Devine Butter.

And if you want to really heat things up, put it in the entry. For this look, try Devine Spice, Devine Teak, or Devine Cafe.

Talk to me and encourage others with your red stories! All of us need courage to do what we know is “us.”

Here is someone who sent her bathroom picture with the following comment:_ “I really enjoyed reading your thoughts about red. There were alot of shaking heads and snickers when I painted the dining room Devine Paprika prior to installing the wood trim and hardwood floors. No one could see beyond the red walls with just bare floors and windows. I knew that Devine Paprika and the warmth of the woods would be a match made in heaven!”_

I always say; you know exactly the moment when red is right. That’s when you can’t imagine the room in any other color. You won’t need me or anyone else to say it.

Can you imagine this red dinning room in beige? I don’t think so!

  1. What trim color do you recommend for a dining room painted in Cayenne, with oak floors and trim and one wall of leaded glass windows facing West. Thanks!


    — Joan    02/22/2007 11:39 AM    #

  2. Joan:

    Color has to sing to you when you see it, so for trim color, try Devine Whip, Icing or even another red layer such as Cabernet! Ohhh, that might be interesting…


    — gretchen Schauffler    02/24/2007 11:18 AM    #

  3. Gretchen,
    Saw you at the Minneapolis Home & Garden Show. Great program about color!
    I have 3 samples on my living room wall right now: Sangria, Paprika and Cayenne.
    I have Cedar Tongue & Groove Ceiling (orange/yellow), a large Oak Entertainment Center (yellow) and “Taupe”(pink under tone) Leather Furniture.
    Which color red would you pick? I want it to be beautiful! This is a little scary for me but I’m ready to take the plunge to add color to this room. It is now white.
    I have enjoyed your web site.
    Thank You, Lou


    — Lou    03/16/2007 08:36 PM    #

  4. Plunge away. All 3 will look amazing and that is why you are having a hard time deciding. Devine Cayenne is the lightest of the 3, Devine Sangria is less pink. The rest is up to you. Good painting!


    — gretchen Schauffler    04/02/2007 02:18 PM    #

  5. Hello, I love Devine colors! We just moved to a late 50’s ranch house (Portland, OR) with a lot of ‘period’ class. I painted our hallway Devine Glass and it looks beautiful. I’m planning to paint all our rooms eventually. But first, we’re designing a music room for our large album and cd collection. It’s a dark basement room and the shelving is going to be Brazilian Cherry. Ideally, I should paint before the shelving goes up. I was thinking of a bright red like Cayenne, but I’m nervous there may be too much red for a basement room. Any suggestions?


    — Cheri    04/05/2007 11:48 AM    #

  6. A red basement sounds like the perfect “lounge” atmosphere for good music, and good company… yes, paint before if you can, so you don’t have to stress over edges. You can enhance the mood further with good lighting and color texture and contrast such as cream leather and black wool. Make the ceiling Devine Filbert to keep the cozy feeling as “surround sound”


    — gretchen Schauffler    04/06/2007 07:05 PM    #

  7. Do you recommend using a primer for your red paints? If I am going to paint over an existing red wall do I need to reprimer it?


    — Gari    06/03/2007 09:54 PM    #

  8. Our reds are known to cover in “almost one coat”. The reason I say that this is, that when you roll paint on, the pressure from a hand, is inconsistent, making rolling uneven. That is why I always recommend 2 coats, even if it looks like you can get away with one. If you have a wall that has been previously painted, you wont need a primer. If the wall feels very “dry” and looks like it would soak up paint, use Devine Foundation, a primer that, like a liquid-canvas, will smooth out and seal the surface better.


    — gretchen Schauffler    06/04/2007 11:49 PM    #

  9. Our new media/family room is in our daylight basement. We’ve chosen Paprika for the wall color in there and feel very good about that. The ceilings are low down there so want to achieve as much expansiveness as possible. Can you recommend a ceiling color? The adjoining Library room will have Filbert-colored walls. Thanks for your help. -c


    — cathy    08/22/2007 09:54 PM    #

  10. Cathy:
    Devine Filbert on the ceiling for sure will make it warm and soft! It will transition the feeling of Devine Filbert in other rooms!


    — gretchen Schauffler    08/26/2007 10:00 PM    #

  11. I am redoing my guest room. It has my grandparent’s mahogany furniture, about 80 years old. I purchased the Gypsy Rose quilt from Pottery Barn because it really looks good with the furniture. I am planning on purchasing fabric for the windows. I also have my son’s crib in the room with one side removed so it functions as a settee. I will have the mattress upholstered. Would you be so kind as to suggest paint colors for the walls and ceiling? Thanks!
    Jane


    — Jane DeLuca    11/29/2007 01:42 PM    #

  12. Ok Jane, guest rooms should entertain the guest…so How about these great options. Try Devine Saffron, or Devine Frappe’ if you want the room to feel like european vintage (you see all the white pop! and the neutrals will look richer) You can also go for Devine Hazelnut or Olive to make all the reds bright and bring red tones out in the wood.
    Use the Devine Powder Finish for that Old world look!

    Share the pictures in our gallery!

    Thanks
    g


    — gretchen Schauffler    11/29/2007 02:20 PM    #

  13. I need help with a bathroom color. My tiles are tan and my sink and trim are white. Which Divine red color would look best against these colors? I currently have Devine Ginger in my kitchen and love it, but want a more vibrant red to contrast the tan in the bathroom (a child’s bathroom by the way). Something that would look nice with fire engines towels, etc. :-)


    — Tracy    12/17/2007 10:18 PM    #

  14. Hello Tracy and Happy Holidays! Try Devine Cayenne and Paprika to start with. The new Devine Bon Vivant is sassy and very French! Now having said that, why not set off that fire engine red with a strong blue? After all if you put fire engine red on walls, you wont see anything else…So also try Devine Swell, Devine Cest La Vie or Devine Cool..

    Happy New Year
    g


    — gretchen Schauffler    12/26/2007 06:05 PM    #

  15. Me again. On 11/29 I wrote you about my guest room. It has the Gypsy Rose Quilt from Pottery Barn and my grandparent’s mahogany furniture. I now have all of my coordinating fabrics from Whole 9 Yards and have decided on Devine Hazelnut. My new question…what color would I paint the ceiling? Hazelnut or a different color. Thanks!!! Jane


    — Jane DeLuca    12/28/2007 02:53 PM    #

  16. Hi Jane:
    Happy 2008! Why not paint the ceiling the same color to create a perfect canopy effect, or make it richer with Devine Roast so it looks soft and smokey?
    Good painting….g


    — gretchen Schauffler    01/01/2008 03:54 PM    #

  17. I am having trouble with the ceiling cutout in our dining room. I have painted the dining room Devine Spice on top (partially into the ceiling) and Devine Filbert on the bottom below the chair rail. My husband thinks that I should repeat the Filbert in the ceiling, but I was hoping for something more unexpected. We have multiple woods in the room…medium oak trim and dark mahogany furniture. I would love your thoughts!


    — Irene    01/12/2008 05:38 PM    #

  18. Irene:

    Go for finishing your thought with Devine Spice all the way up and around…surround yourself in the warm canopy of that rich color…cut the room in a 2/3 top to a 1/3 bottom
    g


    — gretchen Schauffler    01/14/2008 02:28 PM    #

  19. i had a professional paint our family room paprika, and although I like the color in natural light, I don’t like it in artificial lighting, it’s too red for me. I guess maybe I would like a more brick colored red…what would you recommend I do? And is it hard to paint red over red? Our trim is a golden wood color. Please let me know your thoughts.


    — Molly    02/19/2008 05:32 PM    #

  20. Molly:
    With Devine Paint, you will be able to start over easily and cover Devine Paprika in one coat practically. The question is what’s next? Can you share with me what other colors are in the room before I suggest another color?
    g


    — gretchen Schauffler    02/22/2008 01:36 PM    #

  21. You were right about finishing the thought with Devine Spice into the ceiling. It looks amazing when the ceiling light reflects onto it and gives the entire room a warm glow. Thanks for the gentle push!


    — Irene    03/07/2008 07:11 PM    #

  22. I love everything you did with the different reds – beautiful. My 12 year old daughter wants to paint her room red…either with an accent wall or….we are looking for ideas! Any ideas to make a tweens room special?
    Thanks,
    Michele


    — Michele    05/26/2008 07:40 AM    #

  23. Hi, after looking at your web site…I found your Merlot color and have fallen in love! I have talked my daughter into this color…it is perfect! I like the Moss Canopy ceiling too, but my daughter is unwavering….looks like we’ll go with white….. Thank you!


    — Michele    05/26/2008 06:15 PM    #

  24. You are welcomed!!!!!


    — gretchen Schauffler    05/27/2008 12:33 PM    #

  25. Hello Gretchen,

    We have a ‘50’s home in Lake Oswego with a finished daylight basement that we use as a family room. I have used Devine throughout the rest of the house and the hall leading to the downstairs is painted Roast with Icing trim throughout. I am considering Devine Olive, but also like Cayennne (maybe for some walls). The room has a large red brick fireplace and “flesh” rose carpet color also. Would either of these colors work in this situation without being to dark?

    (My other direction tis to consider your new flora fauna collection)

    Thanks for any help.
    Michele


    — Michele L.    08/28/2008 10:44 AM    #

  26. Those options sound perfect for you, one goes towards harmony, the other towards contrast. This of what the space needs in those terms. The new flora-fauna color collections™ has amazing orange reds and new greens you might want to check out! You will fall in love with those colors as well.


    — gretchen Schauffler    08/28/2008 11:43 AM    #

  27. Thanks for your response Gretchen. Would the flora-fauna colors work with having Roast on the entering hallway?


    — Michele L.    08/28/2008 11:57 AM    #

  28. I’ve decided on Cayenne and Olive in our family room. The Olive may be a little too dark and I am wondering if Coqui is a lighter version of Olive. Our local Miller paint store has no more Coqui samples for me to bring home. Is Coqui more or less yellow? more or less gray? Any descriptive help on Coqui would be greatly appreciated!


    — Michele L.    08/28/2008 06:14 PM    #
  Textile Help

Trend-Proof Example: Color Love Affairs
Ceilings: Color from Head to Toe

Back to Devine Blog