Hooked on...Orange

We're not sure if it's the rising temperatures and the happy onslaught of early summer, but we've all got the hots for orange right now, whether it's on the wall, in the home, out and about, or on the toes. What is it about this juicy and vibrant hue that has us salivating right now? We're noticing it everywhere...

On the walls:

Our artists must be feeling the same way - and we love the way they're interpreting this lively and energetic palette into their work:

Susan Spies, Melancholy

Nancy Franke, Julep Cup

Jessica Falstein

Elizabeth Barber, Promise of Spring

Bonnie Beauchamp Cooke, Diane

On Oneself:

Atlanta designer Liz Shults, owner of Le Chateau Interiors, never leaves her house without wearing a touch of orange. In the winter, it’s a soft orange scarf that she wraps around her neck. It’s gorgeous and keeps the chill away.

And, in the summer, she swaps it out for a lighter-than-air gauze version. She’s also crazy about her new carnelian stone necklace that she loops around the neck. How stylish is that...

Liz stopped by the gallery while we were blogging! Here’s her gorgeous new necklace & summer scarf (with Amy Dixon’s paintings in the backgroud).


To any self-respecting femme Francophile, the #1 thing that comes to mind at the thought of the color orange is: HERMES.

This French fashion house is the quintessential purveyor of the color orange in a variety of forms. Orange silk scarves, cashmere throws, ceramic ashtrays, enamel bracelets…even the boxes come in this vibrant hue!

A little orange to dress the neck...

Stack the boxes on a table for a chic pop of orange.

An ashtray on the vanity is a great place to store jewelry.

On the toes and at the beach:

With the return of warm weather, orange is a must for the summer! Make your feet look tan and polished with a pop of orange on your toes.

Essie “Tart Deco”

Or if you’re really feeling bold, go all out with a great pair of orange sandals from Tory Burch (who, of late, seems to be responsible for orange’s resurge in popularity. Her fabulous boxes are almost as coveted as those from Hermes.

Tory Burch Thora flipflops

In the Home:

One Huffington is having an obsession about re-doing a master bedroom in French linen popping with accents of Hermes orange.

Room by Scott Schubel

Room by Eileen Kathryn Boyd

These little touches of tangerine, mandarin, and orange juice orange are guaranteed to pack a punch:

Leontine Linens “Shasta” quilt

Leontine Linens “Hayden” bedding

Leontine Linens “Horsebit” bedding

No Huffington get-together would be complete without a little taste of our favorite bubbly…which coincidentally comes in an orange box.

Amy Dixon, Vive Le Veuve

Out and About (and Abroad!):

A perfectly orange house in Cassis

When we decided to do an orange blog, we put feelers out to Ann who happened to be in Provence on ladies’ trip (more about that in another blog).

Orange signs in St. Remy

She had fun recording a few orange standouts in the market in St. Remy, where she usually spends her Wednesdays (before having lunch at her favorite place, Le Bistrot du Paradou).

A delectable fruit tart

St. Remy Market

Napkins or hand towels…a lovely gift.

Gorgeous tomatoes in the market. Don’t they look like mini pumpkins?

Orange French Fashions
An orange enthusiast selling his wares in the market

One vendor in the market was a little suspicious when she started snapping pictures of his orange shoes, but when she explained that it was for a blog on the color orange, he raised his eyebrows, shrugged his shoulders and said the French equivalent of “Whatever!” (“Bof!”)

A woman standing next to her said, “But wait a minute: I am a “symphony of orange” and gladly posed for the camera, revealing her perfectly orchestrated orange handbag and matching orange wallet (from Renoir, in Paris by the way).

Indeed, just her little bursts of orange on a sea of grey was the perfect contrast and “je ne sais quoi” that took ordinary to extraordinary. As the French woman knows so well, with the color orange, less is often more.

Ann with Van Gogh’s Orange Beard

What are some of your favorite pops of orange? We'd love to hear from you


Tata!

HH