Color Guide: How to Work With Red Ocher
Ancient, passionate and warm, red ocher is one of the most elemental colors on earth
Red ocher is yellow ocher's fraternal twin. Both are ancient colors originally derived from clays and minerals. Both were used extensively in ancient art (Cro-Magnon artists used it to paint caves), and both are still used in traditional art and design from Africa to Australia.
Red ocher is the color of the clay the Namibian woman smear on their skin and hair. It's the color of the cliffs of Sedona, Arizona, and the dust in Kauai, Hawaii. It's red and brown and orange all rolled into one — almost burnt orange, almost barn red, almost terra-cotta brown. It's burnt umber, sienna, copper. Almost.
Like its yellow sister, red ocher is rich, warm and mellow. There is no such thing as a cool ocher. But it's the more dramatic of the two and less able to blend into the background. It's earthy and organic looking, reminiscent of autumn and fire and dirt (and I mean that in the nicest way).
It goes well with warm whites and yellows, and all spectrum of fall colors. It also looks lovely with charcoal gray, which tames it a little (think slate and terra-cotta together). I also like it with grass green and azure blue — also colors of the natural world.
As you can see from the 17 examples below, it's versatile too, playing well with all manner of styles — from Southwest to traditional to modern.
Red ocher is the color of the clay the Namibian woman smear on their skin and hair. It's the color of the cliffs of Sedona, Arizona, and the dust in Kauai, Hawaii. It's red and brown and orange all rolled into one — almost burnt orange, almost barn red, almost terra-cotta brown. It's burnt umber, sienna, copper. Almost.
Like its yellow sister, red ocher is rich, warm and mellow. There is no such thing as a cool ocher. But it's the more dramatic of the two and less able to blend into the background. It's earthy and organic looking, reminiscent of autumn and fire and dirt (and I mean that in the nicest way).
It goes well with warm whites and yellows, and all spectrum of fall colors. It also looks lovely with charcoal gray, which tames it a little (think slate and terra-cotta together). I also like it with grass green and azure blue — also colors of the natural world.
As you can see from the 17 examples below, it's versatile too, playing well with all manner of styles — from Southwest to traditional to modern.
The true red ocher is that strip right above the mantel that looks almost brown, but these fall-friendly ochers are all in the same family and look great together.
A brown and orange version — like a sunset against the red faces in Zion National Park or Ayers Rock in Australia — in a contemporary setting. Like other warm colors, red ocher is said to stimulate the appetite, making it perfect for a dining room.
Both the brick wall and the wood floor are red ocher.
A coppery red ocher. Warm and earthy but still modern.
Red ocher glass tiles. This kitchen is clean and crisp and wholly modern. But it is not cold, in large part because of the tile.
Decorating With Red Ocher
Red ocher accents in this eclectic room — check out the window treatment — add a little fire to the space. Notice the warm white and the blue.
Red ocher accents in this eclectic room — check out the window treatment — add a little fire to the space. Notice the warm white and the blue.
Some call this midcentury modern favorite burnt orange. But we know it's really red ocher (an orangey one).
Gray, white and red ocher. I just love this color combination. It would look great on an exterior too.
A layered jumble of ochers, reds, oranges and browns makes for a bohemian-chic little napping area.
The dashes of red ocher add brightness and warmth to this large contemporary room.
Adobe. Now this is the real thing: red dirt.
Red ocher adobe against purple. This has Mexican design written all over it.
The hills of Sedona glow red ocher, and the paneling on this house almost gets there too.
Red ocher accents on the exterior of this modern home bring out its bones and look great with green.
Red ocher accent walls flank a dove-gray chimney and add a lot of warmth to this understated, modern room.