Fade to Red and Gold

A tried-and-true color combination for the holidays, red and gold tell a new story with more intense tones. Reds are juicier -- running the gamut from cranberry to grape -- and gold has a strong influence from brown, giving it an amber cast.

In a dining room suited for entertaining, an opulent scene is set by ruby-red decorations matched in wattage by shiny metallic gold. Twin centerpieces anchor the tablescape: glass hurricanes surrounded by rings of roses, anemones, and dusty miller.

 

This sunroom's minty freshness comes from its palette of soft sage, heather, and spruce on a field of snow white. Glass icicles, mirrored ornaments, and a variety of white Moravian stars lighten and brighten the dark fir tree. A white statice wreath looks dusted with snowflakes.

Wrapped gifts broaden the color scheme to include this year's hot color: yellow-green. It can be as tangy as lemon-lime soda or as soft as sage leaves.