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The Color You Need Now ... Chinese Lacquer Red
This exotic treatment has inspired us for centuries, and it won't fall out of favor anytime soon. Here's why
"It stimulates the senses and adds drama, especially in small spaces."
-- Ann Holden,
New Orleans decorator
by Molly Power Pastor
Photos by Thibault Jeanson (room) and Howard L. Puckett (product)

Ironically, Chinese lacquer red feels hip, young, and eternally classic. It originated on the other side of the world, captivated the English centuries ago, and has recently crept into our interiors with a vengeance. Even fabrics are taking cues, giving us jazzy alternatives for upholstering furniture.

We love it because it's dramatic and exotic in small doses, such as on a coffee table or cabinets, and feels alluring and intimate when completely covering the walls. Our favorite place to use lacquer red: in a library. And the smartest color to pair it with? Chocolate brown.


PAINT SELECTIONS
paints
1. Congo Red by Ralph Lauren, 2. Rectory Red by Farrow & Ball, 3. Million Dollar Red by Benjamin Moore.
FABRIC SELECTIONS
fabrics
1. Rayure Zéphyr by Pierre Frey 2. Miranda from Florencia by Liberty 3. Pygmalion by Boussac 4. Archidot by SeaCloth 5. Chinese Toile by Colefax & Fowler 6. Emil Pimento by Raoul Textiles 7. Gweneth Linen by Schumacher 8. Min by Jennifer Robbins Textiles 9. Winslett by Winhall Collection 10. Georgica by Manuel Canovas


RESOURCES: Interior design by Holden & Dupuy, 839 St. Charles Ave., Ste. 310, New Orleans, LA, 504/568-1101; Rayure Zéphyr, F2475 Framboise 8, by Pierre Frey (T), 212/213-3099; Miranda from Florencia by Liberty through Osborne & Little (T), 212/751-3333; Pygmalion by Boussac (T), 212/213-3099; Archidot in real red by SeaCloth through Ainsworth-Noah (T), 404/231-8787, and John Rosselli & Associates (T), 212/593-2060; Chinese Toile in red by Colefax & Fowler through Cowtan & Tout (T), 212/647-6900; Emil Pimento by Raoul Textiles through Grizzel & Mann (T), 404/261-5932; Min in sand with lacquer red by Jennifer Robbins Textiles through Renfroe (T), 404/869-6600; Gweneth Linen in claret by Schumacher (T), 404/261-2742; Winslett in red by Winhall Collection through Grizzel & Mann (T), 404/261-5932; Georgica in feu/ecru by Manuel Canovas through Cowtan & Tout (T), 212/647-6900; Benjamin Moore (M), 800/344-0400; Ralph Lauren Home (R), 888/475-7674; Farrow & Ball (M), 888/511-1121.
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