THE UNEXPECTED RED THEORY: THE BEAUTIFUL UNEXPECTED EFFECT OF A TOUCH OF RED

In fashion, we have seen red pop up for a while now as a refreshing accent color next to all the nude shades. We didn't have to wait long for its smashing entrance into our interiors. There is even a real trend going on on TikTok and Instagram with #unexpectedredtheory. We are fans, because you will see that a large dollop of red ensures a more lively and surprising interior. Discover it here and get inspired.

Middle: LAB wall paint Valentine no. 609 (wall) and LAB interior paint Terra Pink no. 102 (beam). Interior: Jennifer Ewbank. Photography: Lotte van Uittert.

WHAT IS THE UNEXPECTED RED THEORY?

Red chairs, red mirrors, red vases, a burgundy cabinet: you can no longer ignore the color. And as is the case with trends: once you are in the red bubble, you not only see it everywhere, the color also subtly takes over your home. TikTokker Taylor Simon ( @intayriors ) suddenly went viral earlier this year with a video in which she talks about the unexpected, powerful effect of red: aka The Unexpected Red Theory. 

According to this theory, adding red accents automatically makes a room that doesn’t quite match the colours look better. According to Taylor Simon, red is the perfect balance between saturated and muted colours. And by adding a little red here and there to your interior – from a red lampshade to door handles or tiles – different colours naturally come together. Compare it to bright red nails that match every outfit you wear. She therefore advocates labelling red as a neutral colour from now on, because it simply goes with everything. 

THE EFFECT OF RED

Red is the colour you see first and therefore ideally suited to alert someone to dangers. It is used all over the world as a signal colour, but at the same time it is also the colour of love and life. A colour with a kick: it gives you energy, a shot of dopamine and it warms your heart. Precisely because red is such a powerful colour, it works well as an accent colour and surprising pop of colour . 

If you are planning to paint an entire wall in red, think about it carefully in advance and only do this in rooms where you can use a boost of energy. The study, for example, or the kitchen. For the bedroom, bright red is not suitable for everyone, but a more muted or dark shade of red can work. How about the powdery Famous Rouge no. 361 ? This red blush will take you to dreamland in no time.

Singer Jennifer Ewbank was the one who dared to bring fiery red into the bedroom. She combined Valentine no. 609 with the lighter Terra Pink no. 102 on the ceiling.

And what do you think of a red ceiling? At beach club Piatti in Zandvoort the ceiling was painted in Marie no. 114 : an almost royal burgundy red that immediately embraces you like a warm blanket when you enter. 

RED COMBINE 

The color red is timeless and a true classic , so don't be afraid to add a red accent here and there to your interior. You won't get bored of it quickly. Red stands out nicely in a basic black, white and beige interior, but can blend beautifully with pink, yellow, purple and orange in a muted red tone. Red and green are complementary colors and this strong contrast is also reflected in Itten's color circle .

You can also achieve a surprisingly beautiful contrast by combining red with blue, turquoise and green. Lipstick Lover no. 908 is a pinkish red that leans slightly towards violet and therefore goes well with blue tones. 

LAB wall paint Masala Chai no. 31 (wall), LAB interior paint Orange Barista no. 117 (skirting boards and frames), Lipstick Lover no. 908 (door). Wallpaper: Arte Manila Atlas 64531 (wall right). Interior: Elise Boers & Wouter Peelen. Photography: Lotte van Uittert.

50 SHADES OF RED

Not all shades of red are the same and the effect of fire engine red or cherry red is completely different from the stylish burgundy red. Bright red is a real match with design classics in a sleek or vintage interior. Bordeaux red looks great in a more classic and romantic interior. Just look at the lush Merlot Mania no. 123 . 

Warm burgundy is also tipped as the colour for autumn 2024 and is the perfect late summer and autumn colour. Are you a fan of warm terra tones in your home? Then matt and earthy red tones such as Copperhead no. 29 and Terracotta Warrior no. 42 will bring you into a Mediterranean atmosphere. 

SHADES OF RED FROM LAB

Whether you go for a stylish look with a soft burgundy shade or a bright cherry red to add some extra energy to your interior, the red shades of LAB give every room a unique look. From dark to light.

• View all red shades from the LAB COLOUR COLLECTION .

RED WITH A SPICY STEAM

TRY RED AT HOME WITH OUR SAMPLE POTS

In love with red? Then order asample pot of your favorite shades of red. First paint a piece of the wall and discover how the color blends into your interior. Or stick a color sample on the wall and see what the incidence of light does at different times of the day. Very nice with such a striking color as red.

If you need advice, we will of course be happy to help you. Take a look at LAB online colour advice or colour advice in our concept store in Bussum .

Author: Monique van Beekhoven

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