Hooray for the Red, White, and Blue!

Outdoor Living Blog Outdoorlicious Red White and Blue Outdoor Furniture

When you see the colors red, white, and blue used in decorating, do you immediately think of the American flag, patriotic holidays, and extra Monday’s off? So often, when we see particular color combinations, we do think of a holiday that is associated with those colors: red/green = Christmas,

gold/purple/green = Mardi Gras,

pastel shades of purple, pink, yellow, blue, and green = Easter, and so on.

Sometimes, we may choose not to combine certain colors because of these reactions but there is nothing to say that we shouldn’t use them if those are colors we like and want to live with. Often, simply by adding one other color, or by using one of the colors only sparingly, people don’t react with the exclamation of “Oh, Christmas colors! I love Christmas.”

If you choose one of these color combinations, however, you had better get used to hearing that kind of response so you might as well develop a good comeback even before the first guests arrive. “Yes. I love Christmas, too, but what I love about these colors is the contrast between them and how they compliment each other so well. The warmth and energy of red and the cool, calming effect of green give my outdoor living room balance and a certain harmony in my life.” So there!

There is familiarity with the red, white, and blue color scheme. It is not jarring, although contrasting, and it seems to consist of equal amounts of warmth (red) and coolness (blue.)

White brightens this color scheme, allows each color to “pop,” and gives lends neutrality to two strong colors.

Whether you add the stars and stripes or any other reference to the American flag is up to you. By adding them, you will most certainly commit your color scheme to the Patriotic category and your decorating will be easy for Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, and a few other international holidays celebrated by those in countries whose flags also features the colors of red, white, and blue.

And, while we’re on the subject of red, white, and blue, Go Team USA in the Winter Olympics! While my new 51” television helps me feel as though I am in the middle of the Olympic festivities, agonies, and glories, a color scheme of red, white, and blue, would complete the surround mode. So, there’s another reason to go for the red, white, and blue.