Red brings out energy, passion

Dear Debbie: When I discovered an enticing stack of old textiles at a flea market, I was dazzled by the colors. There was also a bookshelf that had been painted many times, but the dominant color was red. It made me want a red room. What are my options? – Cassandra

Dear Cassandra: Dense, saturated colors have delightful energy and passion. If you have had the opportunity to enjoy dinner in a vibrant red room setting, you may have noticed the lively conversation that accompanied the food. Red animates and fills us with confidence. And, as you noticed at the flea market, red draws you in. When red is mixed with glazing liquid and rubbed over a surface, the resulting translucent finish allows light from beneath to filter through. The result is a gentler, old-world look, but still full of fire. White and blue dishes and natural wood have a cool, balancing effect when paired with red, as seen here. So that would make a fabulous dining room, kitchen or even a study for you.

Dip into the deep, rich shades of red that have some blue in them, and you’ll have seductive hues perfect for a bedroom. Bring in your selection of blankets, draperies and pillows in exotic fabrics and some sparkly sequins and trim to build up layers of tactile texture and interest. If you are intimidated by such strong, dramatic hues as vermillion red or fiery orange, you can start with one wall or a few accessories. It’s like slipping into a pair of red shoes and slinging a hot pepper handbag over your shoulder. It feels good. Enjoy your red room.

Dear Debbie: My bathroom has three cedar walls and a cedar ceiling, and I would like to paint them white. Can you advise me on whitewashing? I would prefer a white stain effect rather than a painted look. The cedar is tongue-and-groove, and removing it is not an option. Thanks for your help.– Brian

Dear Brian: In order for the stain to sink into the wood, first sand the wood to open up the pores (and remove the sealant if there is one). Then you can proceed with either white stain or a paint wash. Roll or brush it on and then wipe off the excess. Apply a second coat to build up the effect you are after. Because this is a bathroom, seal your work with varnish. Semi-gloss and gloss are the most durable, but if you prefer a flat finish, simply add two coats.

Dear Debbie: We are in the process of building a new house and now have the task of choosing all the colors. In the kitchen, we have chosen espresso, a very dark color for the cabinets. The countertops are very light – white laminate and Kashmir-white granite. The floor is dark, but not quite as dark as the cabinets. The appliances are stainless-steel. The wall color we’ve planned is cream white. Is the contrast between the cabinets and the countertops too much? – Maggie

Dear Maggie: Your white countertops sound good, but you might want to think about adding a little color to the kitchen, either in the countertops or even the paint on the wall. With the dark wood, pistachio green would be both soothing and elegant. Lemon would be more dramatic, very contemporary, but again the contrast would be exciting.

Debbie Travis’ House to Home column is produced by Debbie Travis and Barbara Dingle. You can follow Debbie on Twitter at www.tritter.com/debbie_travis. Please e-mail your questions to house2home@debbietravis.com.