ORANGE

APRICOT TO COPPER

Orange can glow like the embers of a fire, or blaze like a flaming sun sinking below the horizon. Yet orange can also be soft and blushing – the antique powder colour of a pair of silk stockings, or the palest shades of orange blossom, apricot and peach.

Orange is earthy like Tuscan terracotta, or the colour of autumn leaves and ripe pumpkin, it is burnished copper or the colour of cognac. Orange is nourishing and full of heat: think of ginger, paprika and cinnamon. The colour of tropical cocktails, of carnivals and marigolds. Orange demands to be noticed.

HOW TO USE ORANGE

In the natural world, orange signals the changing seasons, as the greenery of summer turns to the glow of autumn. It represents the last of nature’s harvest. Homely and restorative, these shades are gorgeous all year round, but in autumn, lend themselves perfectly to cosy throws and richly embroidered floor cushions.

The paler end of the orange spectrum affords a selection of luxurious and elegant shades, from dusted, chalky plaster to rusted, earthy spice tones. These sophisticated colours prove that orange doesn’t have to be bright, bold and electrified. Powdery cosmetic shades of blush or nude are a good foundation colours in a palette. Add vintage charm to your living room or bedroom with tones of peachy coloured plaster, or leave brickwork exposed.

Earthy, burnt-orange tones are honest, rustic colours that have adorned homes since time immemorial. Terracotta – literally translated as ‘baked earth’ – is a key shade, reliable and satisfying. Like the burnt umber shades of Tuscan villas and the rich reddish sienna found in prehistoric cave paintings, these clay colours form a warming, natural environment.

Glowing orange tones – think of rust or copper, ginger or cinnamon – enliven and warm an otherwise neutral palette of white or warm grey. While a bright orange bath or a flash of hot Indian marigold orange in a monochrome setting will make the entire room feel suddenly bright and modern. »