Best Paint Colors
January 30, 2012
Photo Gallery: Orange Rooms
Add zest to your space!
A classic klismos chair in bright orange complements an ornate Chippendale mirror.
HGTV star and Toronto designer Tommy Smythe updated this Victorian living room with a bold rug and solid jewel tones. The long settee already belonged to the homeowners, so Smythe had it reupholstered, then topped with fun throw pillows in trendy hues. A classic klismos chair in bright orange complements an ornate Chippendale mirror. “Given free rein, this what you’ll get from me:” he says. “Strong colours, bold gestures and traditional references.”
See Tommy Smythe’s Victorian Makeover photo gallery for more photos of this home, plus watch Suzanne Dimma tour through the kitchen.
See more orange accents and rooms in our photo gallery.
Complement white furniture with a peachy tone.
This soft orange — Powdered Petals (200D-4) from Behr — makes a simple white Ikea armchair pop. Consider a peachy-orange like this in a small office, library or sitting room with white furniture.
A bright orange textured rubber floor is low maintenance and comfy underfoot.
Victoria Webster — here with sons Charlie and Isaac — went for a modern cooking space that requires minimal upkeep. The high-end, modern Bulthaup kitchen is stylish and much more forgiving than glossy or white cabinetry. Decorative white vases are kept high up on an open shelf, away from sticky fingers.
Watch video tours of this house, plus get more decorating ideas in our Family Friendly Homes and Orange Rooms photo galleries.
Crown moulding gives this space a classic look, while silver wallpaper on the ceiling reflects light.
Homeowner Victoria Webster had the walls of her dining room professionally painted in a high-gloss orange paint. It took 12 coats of paint and two coats of glaze to achieve the sheen!
Watch video tours of this house, plus get more decorating ideas in our Orange Rooms photo gallery and our Rooms With Jewel Tones photo gallery.
Make a collection stand out against a boldly painted feature wall.
Vancouver designer April Tidey’s stencilled wall pattern, found in the kitchen sitting area, lends an exotic feel to this space. The tortoise shell and two types of coral came from an antique shop. On the couch sits April’s lovable pug, guarding a quirky owl throw pillow.
See more pets in our Pets & Interiors photo gallery. Plus, see other photos of Tidey’s cabin and loft and more orange rooms in our photo gallery.
A bowl of oranges, a striking Jacobsen Swan chair and a tangerine-coloured throw add vibrancy to an otherwise neutral colour palette of cream, brown and grey.
A vase of branches adds texture, while a Noguchi coffee table, a celebrated art print, and Arco floor lamp add design savvy. A soft shag rug pulls the look together and softens the deep tones of the hardwood floor.
Elegant antiques, a dramatic chandelier and a punchy wall colour create a one-of-a-kind space.
Orange lacquer adds the wow factor, while a careful mix of styles keeps the room chic. The mahogany and caned seats of the British Colonial Regency-back chairs show nicely against the taupe linen tablecloth, which conceals a hefty antique table. The cloth breaks up the dark wood in the room, making it more inviting, says designer Anne Hepfer.
For more chic interiors by Anne Hepfer, see our photo gallery, plus see more orange rooms in this photo gallery.
Show off intricate pieces against rich orange walls.
The antique marble-topped mahogany console and English folding table add weight to the room and display patterned ceramic jars, silver accents and white orchids.
Make a statement with Hermès orange.
This bright yet livable hue looks best in a flat finish. Crisp white trim keeps the palette fresh. And like the bolduc ribbon that’s tied around every Herme?s box, chocolate brown furniture — in sumptuous fabrics such as velvet — offers a sophisticated finishing touch.
See more Colourful Contemporary Living Rooms in our photo gallery, plus more orange rooms.
This space has enough natural light to accommodate a deep colour.
This gorgeous wall colour — Brick Dust (6-19) by Pratt & Lambert — is the perfect shade for an accent wall. Architect Brian Kucharski painted one wall in his open-concept living room/office area in the rich hue for a bit of personality.
See more orange rooms in our photo gallery.
Update vintage furniture with bold paint colours.
Vintage furniture pieces can be instantly revitalized with some sanding and a few coats of paint. This secondhand dresser gets a new life and a contemporary look with eye-catching deep orange paint. Brightly patterned drapes from Urban Outfitters work well in the space.
See more orange rooms in our photo gallery.
Bright orange paint and white Ikea shelves keep this mudroom area chic and organized.
A shelf doubles as a bench, baskets keep clutter in check and artwork and pillows add graphic punch to this entryway.
Art, desk accessories and a throw pillow add punches of colour.
In Montreal artist Oorbee Roy’s loft studio/office, teak furniture is an understated vintage-modern backdrop for bold accents.
Display vintage trays as art.
In this corner of their dining room, Lee Caswell and Blaise Gaetz transformed an array of traditionally functional objects into a striking wall installation. A vivid red-orange paint adds even more richness and drama.
See more orange rooms in our photo gallery.
Indulge your senses with bright colours and bold prints.
“Colour is something we all crave,” says designer Anne Hepfer. Playing with pattern and scale, Hepfer added interest to this space with different textures and upholstery fabric. As a general rule, she sticks to smaller-scale prints for more delicate pieces of furniture and opts for hip, graphic details on pillows.
For more chic interiors by Anne Hepfer, see our photo gallery, plus see more orange rooms in this photo gallery.
Combine a daring colour with elegant fabric for an unexpected look.
Designer Anne Hepfer created these drapes with a slight scoop at the bottom to add “a ballgown-like feeling.” She also opted for medium-weight interlining to prevent the shades from looking heavy or lumpy, and to allow natural light to glow through the silk. Black tapered legs on the chairs and upholstered bench unify this seating area.
For more chic interiors by Anne, see our photo gallery, plus see more orange rooms in this photo gallery.
Orange accents pay homage to the retro architecture of this home.
In this 1970s home on Calgary’s Lake Bonavista, floating wooden shelves incorporated into the fireplace’s Pece limestone surround create an asymmetry that is very mid-century modern. Designer James McIntyre chose a Nuevo floor lamp and bright orange sofas to go along with the theme.
See more designs from McIntyre Bills in our photo gallery, plus more Orange Rooms.