I just had to re-post this blog from back in 2008 which was inspired by a funny note I received from my mom (a.k.a. “Mother Interior”) on the color orange… hope you get a chuckle!
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Dear Ashley,
I read an article last night that stated Orange was the “In” color for 2008/2009. What goes around-comes around for sure. Orange was the popular hue the year you were born. I don’t think I’ll be updating mi casa withnaranja this year, but the article reminded me of the time I thought about killing your father when he invited guests over for dinner without consulting me. The only reason his life was spared was because I knew I would end up in the Huntsville State Prison and their women inmates have to wear the most gosh awful shade of orange! I just look ghastly in Orange Crush. The thought of this hypothetical incarceration for murder prompted me to outline a book that I might write during my stay in a Texas prison. Perhaps you remember the outline…
Beauty Behind Bars How to Look Outstanding in Orange
Convicted Murderer and Make-up Maven Shares Her Beauty Secrets on Death Row.
Chapter 1 You call it Orange ~ I call it Tangerine: Having the Right Attitude During Your Incarceration
Chapter 2 Color Me Beautiful: We’re All ‘AUTUMNS’ on Cell Block “A”
Chapter 3 The ROOT of the Problem: A Good Colorist is Hard to Find Behind Bars!
Chapter 4 6 Short, Easy-to-Maintain Hairdos that say, “I’m NOT Butch! I’m Sassy.”
Chapter 5 Jailhouse Jewelry: Less is More
Chapter 6 Give Me Mascara or Give Me Death: Minimalist Make-up Techniques
Chapter 7 Thinner Firmer Thighs in 6 Months to Life: You’ve Got TIME to Exercise Now, Girlfriend
Chapter 8 How to Look Appealing While Waiting for Your Appeal
Chapter 9 The Bright Side to Solitary Confinement – No Sun Damage!
Chapter 10 Penitentiary Shower Slides: Finally, An Excuse to Wear Sensible Shoes!
Chapter 11 Dressing for Your Day in Court: 10 Schoolmarm Looks That Scream “Not Guilty!”
By the way, the subject line of my letter, Clockwork Orange, references a bizarre movie that was released in 1972. Check it out on Netflix when you get time.
Wishing you high spirits & a happy heart,
Mother Interior
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Mom is right. Just look at this dining room ensemble right out of Pottery Barn:
(For more great photos highlighting the creative use of orange in decor, check out this great compilation of photos here at Decorating Ideas on Audrey’s Design Blog.)
Orange is also “in” in our house. Here’s a photo of my grandmother’s secretary (circa 1940) that I inherited:
According to my mom, my grandmother had this antique gem “funkified” and refinished in 1964. Thank you, “M” (as I fondly called my grandmother named Mildred), for your fashion forward color sense and creativity. It’s one of my favorite pieces of furniture that own. I’m so glad I chose not to refinish it and decided to work with the retro orange. This is a great example of how a piece of furniture can serve as a source for unique and creative inspiration for an entire room.
About Orange: Being that orange is a hybrid of red and yellow, it takes on many of the characteristics of both of those colors. It is less intense than red, but has the physical force of red (which is why it is often used in advertising.) Personally, I love orange and all its variations: from terracotta to tangerine, and salmon to sunset. For me, the color evokes memories of sunsets at the beach, sunrises in the hill country and summers at the lake. Orange truly warms me up from head to toe! What does it do for you?
According the THE COLOR ANSWER BOOK, by Leatrice Eiseman, “Lovers of this color work and play hard, and are adventurous and enthusiastic with a great sense of humor.” I’ll buy that.
Now, let’s talk about the less a-”peeling” side of orange…
For some people, flamboyancy of orange is not appealing at all. Plus, you have to remember that orange can be very garish at times, and can even make your eyes sore! I have to admit, there is a time that I’m not crazy about orange – more specifically burnt orange. Is that because I’m an Aggie? Who knows. I can’t say that I really love maroon either, but I know when I see a sea of burnt orange, my stomach feels a little uneasy. This just goes to show you, color preferences can be very subjective!
“Orange is very blatant and vulgar. It makes you immediately start having feelings” .–Wolf Kahn