Black & Orange

What better time than Halloween to talk about two of my favorite colors – black and orange. I love the warmth of orange in all its vibrant shades, from brilliant, eye-popping pumpkin to soft and nurturing apricot. These shades and everything in between are on display everywhere, coloring all manner of squash, gourds and jack-o’-lanterns at every farmers market and grocery store you might wander into.

Darkness appears in brilliant contrast to orange in the form of black cats, skeletons, ghosts and goblins. Ebony tombstones dot yards, charcoal monsters hug trees, and raven crows perch on doorsteps. I love all of it and feel like a kid again whenever I see crocheted spiderwebs covering porches and creepy witches perched on crooked broomsticks. I realize combining orange and black can be quite scary. But isn’t it fun to be a little scared on Halloween when dark and light appear in so many spectacular ways?

Breaking the Rules

On Halloween, I dare to break the rules about never combining orange and black in my home. Although this combination seems forbidden the other 364 days of the year, I love merging these two favorite colors.

Orange is such a playful, happy color and black has an edginess and sophistication I adore. Together they combine both feelings, surprising the eye and making a room more interesting. Doing the unexpected in your home really does keep it timeless.

Color is Personal

Of course, you need to like black and orange to even consider putting it in your rooms in any form, especially together. After all, color is very personal, which is something I address in my new Eye for Beauty e-Course. Many of you may believe you can’t combine these colors because it might look too much like Halloween, but I see things in a different way.

Combining the Forbidden

Here’s an example of combining a black chair with an orange striped shade and a big piece of art with a ghostly face floating on it. I added a vase of orange pyracantha and crabapple leaves on a black table between the chair and art. A hit of nature brings life to any part of a room. I hope you find nothing scary about this combination of colors, shapes, textures and patterns.

Day of the Dead

I also wanted to pay homage to the Ghost in the Blue Striped Suit. With the Day of the Dead upon us, I think of him and my family members and friends who have passed, and wish them peace wherever they are. It’s the traditional time of year to remember treasured people who have been important in our lives.

For the love of black and orange,