Fire and Ice Decor

When the weather outside is frightful, it’s the right time to cuddle up and savor the great indoors. A timeless decorating scheme of red and white is simple and chic — the Scandinavians were on to something with their heart-warming red accents to all that white and silvery snow!  Valentine’s Day loves red and white as well, so you can keep the look going strong in your decorating and entertaining. Add lacquered red serving trays for shine, toss pillows in velvet and rosy throws in mohair, polyfleece or wool for warmth. There’s no better way to be cozy – and cool. Of course, don’t forget to glam yourself up a bit, too. After all, you’re the most beautiful thing in the room!

In the setting above using Sam Moore’s Carson sofa the designer has used red plus its adjacent colors, orange and red-violet, for a sophisticated layering effect. See how these hot hues pop against the serene background of white, creating excitement without clutter.

With the help of this red leather sofa from Bradington-Young you can truly make a statement! A glorious red sofa expresses your confidence, especially with zebra-patterned accent pillows. To keep the hot look under control, balance a dramatic sofa like this with lots of oyster white, light gray, taupe, or other cool, pale neutrals.

Rest your feet or make room for one more in a family huddle with this clever Banner ottoman from Sam Moore. Choose white leather to soothe or rich red to punctuate your design message, and finish with nailhead trim in silvery nickel for au courant chic.

You can dress up a little and still eat that red velvet cake when you’re wearing a pretty choice like the Love Love Dress by Trina Turk at 6pm.com. Whether you’re entertaining best pals, a passel of family or your own true love (or all of the above), you can cook and cuddle in comfort.

A rose by any other name would be this “Marlene” chair from Sam Moore.

An Inviting, curvy shape in a romantic rouge hue adds beguiling warmth to any room. Imagine one next to a bed with snowy linens or a pair opposite a white sofa. Luscious!

A dozen long-stemmed red roses are lovely, but it’s not the only way to do the Valentine job.  This little charmer from Teleflora, with bear grass forming a casual heart, is more sophisticated and just as endearing, and the square vase is a hip accent any time of year in any room.

Add dazzle to your red-and-white, wintery décor with the bright gleam (and outright glam) of mirrors like this Encircle floor mirror. Think sparkling icicles in moonlight or drifts of snow in sunlight. If bright red makes you a tad nervous, dial it down with a rich brick red as in these mod, mod patterned chairs from Sam Moore Furniture.

A durable, moto-inspired leather jacket is a must-have this season, but it doesn’t have to be black. A leather jacket in red, like this one by Bagatelle at Nieman Marcus, looks hot and cuts the chill, too. Pop it over a cocktail dress, black pants or blue jeans, now until summer and for decades to come.

Croc-embossed leather and rattan, all swathed in a silvery finish, gives this artful little accent table extra glam. If your room is mostly white or another neutral, you can use texture and shine like this to create variety. If your room has a lot of red or other powerful color, a few sparkling accents in furniture and accessories add some necessary lightness of being.

Put your baking skills on a pedestal! Angel food, devil’s food or red velvet, just about any cake looks extra appetizing on a rich red glass cake stand like this one from the classic Mosser glassmakers.

It’s no secret that candles add warmth, sparkle and a flattering glow that’s romantic, any time, but they’re especially appealing when it’s dark and cold outside. You know you need to keep an eye on any candle, but that’s no chore when it’s as chic as this one: “Be Dazzling” by Kate Spade. A clutch of white votives (odd numbers look best) in red glass holders does a pretty nice job, too.

Out to a memorable restaurant or for dinner a deux at home, come-hither shoes like these Badgley Mischka “Pegasis” pumps at Macy’s are just what Cupid had in mind. Angelina Jolie wore a sedate white dress with red stilettos, and so can you!