Guest Post - Rusty Red Inspiration by Arcadian Lighting

I am excited to have my first Guest Post on my blog by Arcadian Lighting.  I love all things with good design, and I am in love with Rusty Red, the design topic today.  I use the color in my own home, and is one of my favorite colors.  Here is Jessica's lovely post.  Enjoy!

Hello! I'm Jessica, a writer for Arcadian Lighting, a wonderful online resource for affordable light fixtures from pendant lights to wall sconces. Every day I get to search for beautiful interior design inspirations and then share them on lovely blogs, like The Sweetest Memory. Thank you for letting me stop by, Kari!

Today, I'd like to share a collection of interiors featuring the warm and inspiring shade of rusty red. From deeper shades of brownish red to bright, bold orange reds, rust colors instantly create a cozy, inviting environment that is perfect for any room. I hope you enjoy!

The contrast between soft slate gray and rust reds add an unexpected twist to this cozy living room. The floral curtains and patterned pillows give the room a bit of texture, as well.

The deep rusty red carpet in this room is perfectly sumptuous, along with the velvet and silken corner lounge. A fiery orange pillow adds a great focal point.

Rich, elegant shades blend together beautifully in this entry way. The matching table lamps highlight the wonderful rusty red wall color.

The subtle flecks of rust red scattered throughout this modern bathroom add a brilliant warmth to the cool blue and silver color palette. The built-in shelving and contemporary sink are great features, as well.

The bright pops of rust red and orange really give this living room a fun, inviting atmosphere. The velvet upholstery adds a great textural quality to the room.

The monochromatic palette of this simple, modern bedroom is complemented by wonderful rust red accent pieces. A pair of white table lamps pop against the charcoal gray wall color.

From the brick wall, to the artwork, to the vintage rusty red sofa, this room is filled with warm red color. A mix of patterned pillows add a quirky touch.

This all-white kitchen and dining room certainly have a lot of character with its rust red Chippendale style chairs and hanging lantern. The oversized pendant light in the kitchen adds a brilliant, dramatic quality.  Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

What do you think of this fiery shade of red? Let us know in the comments! And be sure to stop by Arcadian Lighting for a brilliant pendant light or chandelier to brighten your home!

Thanks Jessica!  What is your favorite?

Sweet Inspiration - Built-in's with Color

Apartment Therapy

I pinned this on Pinterest 2 days ago, and I have received 35 likes, and 192 repins (and counting)!  I was so surprised.  I love the simplicity of how this bold color makes these simple additions look like a built-in.  Apparently, many others do too.

Here are some other images I found with similar features.



Color on back wall with built-in's by  Young House Love



Built-in office by   Whimages the Blog



Mini Mudroom by House Tweaking



Bookshelves over a bold color by Annsley Interiors





Built-in hideaway entrance.  (Wow I would love to have this for myself.  Okay I would share with the kids!) by Apartment Therapy



Loving this color combination of rich colors.  Built-in bed with color accent wall by  Coco Cozy
(Did you see those silhouette pillows?  They are my current obsession and these are the cutest!)

What is your favorite and why? 

Do you have a project you have worked on you want to share?  I would love to see it!

Color, You can do it!

I am a commercial interior designer (by day).  I design office buildings.  I have found in a commercial setting people are much more open to using color.  In peoples homes, most play it safe by adding pastels or minimal color.  Think about the last time you have been to a retail store or building lobby.  What stands out to you when you enter the space?  The simpliest and cheapest impact is color, paint specifically.

You can add a deep, saturated color in a space even if it is small.  Where is the key.  Having a single, impactful wall sets the tone without being over-powering.

Neutrals are good, but add a splash of color with it.  I am obsessed with henna red, and shades of browns and oranges in my home.  The first thing I did when I moved into my house was paint a deep brown in my entry way that runs into the living room.  I was bored with the white walls from apartment living for so many years.  It is a single wall and I left the rest of the living room with white walls.  It sets the tone for the room without being overpowering.  It serves as a nice backdrop for my entry table, and my TV and pictures on the walls.  I have brown sofas and mahagony wood.  It would be deadly with all of these browns, tan carpet, and tan stone table.  I added henna red pillows on my sofas and it added just the right punch.  If I get tired of this color, they are easy to replace with new ones.

I have a grouping of pictures on my living room wall.  I was getting tired of all of them, but couldn't seem to find the right pictures to replace them, at least the ones I could afford.  I changed out three of the pictures that were just okay, and framed pretty scrapbook paper in the original frames.  (See my post Cheap Art, Big Impact.)  I used the same color combination in my living room to tie it all in.  I feel it is just the right touch.

Choose a color that has more "gray" in it than a true color for a wall.  True colors are great for clothing, paper, and more, but when it comes to walls it will look juvenille and unsophisticated.  You can start with your favorite true color, blue for instance.  Then look at the section that is more gray.  Big difference, but still will look lovely.

                                Bright Blue Wall - Too bright, unsophisticated, Courtesy of Sherwin Williams

                                           Blue Wall - Impactful yet refined , Courtesy of Sherwin Williams

So, choose locations wisely, pick a color that may seem a little darker than what you would normally choose, try it on for size.  Paint a large enough sample on your wall to get the feel of the color.  Remember paint is cheap and easy to change. 

You can do it!