A Colour Story | Round and Round in Red

Vintage shades of red illuminate this cool toned colour story.

A red light to stop you in your tracks and a rotating fibre optic lamp to hold your gaze. Take your pick from two statement lamps from the 1970s, lighting up a classic mid-20th century sideboard. 

Growing up, this now iconic, circular red lamp, lived on a side table on our landing, emitting a welcoming, soft diffused light from the top of the stairs. A vintage, Artemide Pallade Lamp from the 1970s. Its space age screen, still beams today.

Currently positioned as a floor lamp, in a corner of my lounge, its glossy red finish, brings a brilliant pop of retro rouge, to our living space and a beautiful interstellar glow when switched on.

Now if I was was dressing up for an occasion, 1970s inspired platforms would be my go-to shoes of choice. I found these retro block heels with patent bands of navy, white, red and yellow in a fashion revival shop. They have a great 1970s vibe about them and are from the Eley Kishimoto Spring 2007 Ready-to-Wear Collection. Shown here looking at home in the spotlight (or rather on the spotlight!) 

Also on display, the Nova coffee table hardback with its glorious red lips on the cover and a glass heart paperweight found in a charity shop, adding further pops of reds.  A Coletta on Paper - The Last Disco print is nestled in between the retro lamps.

Illuminated at the other end of the sideboard, a Cima Rotating Fibre Optic Lamp, with its stardust flecks of lights. Again 1970s vintage, it was my favourite light in our house growing up. When this light was switched on, I knew it was a special occasion. Twinkling red, green, yellow, white and back to red again. Bouncing back reflections from its chrome, spaceship shaped base.

Everything is placed on  a wonderful rosewood and chrome Seventies sideboard. A beautiful mid-century piece by Richard Young for Merrow Associates. I used to love sliding open its weighty chrome doors when I was little. They would roll along with a warm thundery sound that reverberated throughout the room. I remember we stored our best crockery in there, some bamboo napkins rings that I liked to play with but most importantly chocolates - Black Magic & Milk Tray selection boxes!

The story in colour