Of all the fall colors orange is one of the most unexpected natural wonders!
As winter sets out to tuck its trees into bed they loudly flaunt all their beauty and expend all their energy like toddlers before a long nap.
Looking to nature is the best way to find the perfect color scheme for stylish design. The trick to using orange is to apply cool shades of gray and gray blues to the mix. Its the perfect compliment every time.
Here is a fun example! This gunmetal gray gate and orange door work beautifully together !
A dusty gray wall gives rest to an orange bike….yet another example to inspire you!
This dilapidated weathered mouse gray wood with chipping orange paint makes for the perfect color palette.
I especially love this burnt orange clay pot and the subtle taupe gray wall behind it…perfect color mix.
When you think of designing with any shade of orange think of masonry orange bricks and gray mortar.
This sunset probably says it best with its rutilant orange glow held together by ash gray clouds.
With the inspiration of October Orange….lets start decorating!
Orange walls are very warm and inviting especially in this family room.
Orange sofas are very “in” right now. Notice the gray wall justifying the vibrant orange!
The vivid orange chair settles in nicely against the slate gray wall.
This pair of modern orange chairs are the perfect finishing touch to a monochromatic room.
I love how this upholstered orange bench brightens up the entry hall of this loft apartment.
This burnt orange wall beautifully displays all the botanical prints!
One of my personal favorites is this high gloss orange bookcase . Its the right perfect splash of color against the dark taupe walls.
The Orange door is perfect for this gray house!
The orange chair and art work in the room warms up this master bedroom.
Love these orange side tables in this wonderfully balanced living room.
Orange used in small doses still make a big statement.
How about this dramatic orange rug? It adds a lot of drama to the hallway.
Just remember! Orange and Gray! The perfect color scheme!
Orange is one of my favorites. I’d certainly be a tree whose leaves turn shades of gold and orange every fall.
I think I’ve convinced my husband to let me paint the Master bedroom yellow. Now I’m going to see about painting the living room a burnt orange…
Good for you Claire! My previous house had burnt orange walls in the living room….everyone (including me) loved it!!!
Happy painting my friend!
Oh and yes…I see you as a colorful , cuddly bear tree!
Hugs!
Thanks for stopping by!
That is one of the only things that I’ve missed about living up north in the states. The changing color of the leaves is breathtaking. Even that always held an undercurrent of fear though. I’m just too much of a summer and water person.
I absolutely love how you always incorporate nature into you designs! I don’t know that I’ve ever seen anyone do it better. Truly beautiful work as always Vicki! Do you work with Feng Shui? It sounds interesting
Oh Scott thank you so much for your kind words. Like you , I love nature and feel that its the best way to stylishly design!!
I haven’t designed with Feng Shui in mind. There are many that do though.
I just go by my instincts when it comes to balance and calm…. guess that’s where all the nature comes in to play for me.
I love it when you stop in for a visit…thanks hun!
Hugs as always!
Beautiful images Vicky, with great ideas and tips on showing off oranges. My favourite – that flaming tree!!
Ronelle
Thank you Ronelle! I take that as a compliment coming for you….you have impeccable taste!
Wonderful to see you again!
These are really nice tips!
You’re so sweet! Thank you Nadezhda! Hope you’re having a wonderful fall season!
Hugs
Alright, alright! Now I like orange – more than I’d thought! But what’s a bear to do I’ve already painted my house! Just have to paint my cave instead.
Think I like the solid walls of orange the best. Maybe I’m less shy than I think? Maybe even stronger greys, with oranges like lamps, as big as a wall or two? Nice colors you did here.
Your friend, a bear in a china shop!
Oh, and if I can find him again, once found an artist who painted in watercolors, but unconventionally, using them deep and full rather than as a wash! Should have, but didn’t buy one I just adored. He uses deep rich colors, and many in an Autumn frame of mind. His colors almost alone make the meaning, the vocabulary of his work.
There’s my bear friend!!! Hugs!
So happy you’ve enjoyed discovering orange…you probably like it cause its reminds you on honey! HeHe
Good to see you!
Orange is good. Hey dawg, what up??
FJ!!! Does this mean you have a new computer?
And yes, orange is good….so is gray!
Thanks for stopping by. Call me sometime!
Love ya
Yeah, new computer. Hey, we are going to Vegas for a few days…really, I can’t believe it myself…there will be photos. XOXO
Whaaa? Why Vegas?
Hi Vicki,
I saw a woman in the coffee shop with an orange top and grey dress……..I had just seen your blog so I was able to say…”orange and grey the perfect colour scheme”……worked for her.
HaHa! Awesome! You’re so cute Sean!
Hugs
Orange. Love orange even though in nature it means end of my favorite time, summer. My last VW was bright orange with an all white interior. We called it the creamsicle. And you are correct, gray looks great with orange. How do I know this…? Because after that VW caught on fire the gray looked very nice with the remaining orange as it sat on the hwy smoldering. We learn from everything.
OMG! LOL!!!! You’re to funny Timm. I have to tell you I have an orange VW I’m posting very soon for you! I thought you might like it!
Love you!
Hi vicki,
. My favourite season is autumn, nothing can beat the colors that nature brings on and its just inspiring to watch how they change. Thanks for the great interior tips will keep them in mind when i eventually work on my own home 
I love the way you start -pick a color and gradually work you way into those beautiful interiors. By the end no matter who it is can’t help but fall in love with it
Oh Smitha you’re such a sweetie! Thank you so much for your kind comment! I love autumn too! Like you, I love all the colors!
As always so glad to have you stop by!
Hugs my friend!
I’ve never been an orange fan, unless it’s in nature. But I see now it can be subtle. And gray! Gray! I love gray with it.
Do you take requests? If so, would you do a feature using gray?
Pamela! You read my mind! I already have a whole post ready to go about the color gray! I’ll dedicate it to you my darling!!!
Hugs!
Miss Vicki,
You’ve done it again! Brilliant collection of photos to illustrated your point. My top two favorites are the sunset (“rutilant” – fabulous word, wherever did you pick it up?) and the staircase. I think the stripe on the wall chasing the carpet up the stairway makes the whole thing work.
Where color is concerned, I’m definitely a fall/winter kind of person. So much drama in those palettes. Fall colors scream, “I will not be ignored!” and then winter colors say, “OK, you’ve had your torrid fling, now get a grip, settle down and recover so we can start all over again in spring”
Lori –
I know, isn’t rutilant a cool word?
Like you I love fall colors and how they flaunt it all before they go away for the winter!
I’m so glad you stopped by! I love your comments!
Love you -
I’m deciding whether or not to have burnt orange walls in my bedroom, since it’s an Autumn theme…
I LOVE these ideas, especially the orange walls with the black outline! I would have never thought of doing that!! X)
Sorry so late in my reply. So pleased you enjoyed the Autumn theme!