Posted by Sandi Friel
It’s gray and rainy outside today, but my house is anything but gloomy – thanks to the color orange. The glowing fire, wood ceilings, trim and amber lighting create a cozy lively space I want to be in. Orange makes me happy!
Upbeat and friendly, when orange is muted it’s warm and comforting. In vibrant hues, it’s downright exciting — a little goes a long way! Fall is traditionally when we think of orange (see my post Slideshow of Fall Color on Orcas Island), but I enjoy it throughout the year, inside and out. Take a look:
![Sandi's madrone branch chandelier](https://b1750941.smushcdn.com/1750941/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/20161013_145829_resized.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=1?w=300)
When I couldn’t decide on a chandelier, Bob whipped up this Madrone branch with orange lights. The perfect glow over our table – I love it!
![20161013_142718_resized](https://b1750941.smushcdn.com/1750941/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/20161013_142718_resized.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=1?w=300)
My best score from the local consignment shop – a gracefully shaped stained glass lampshade with colors of fall.
![20161013_144540_resized](https://b1750941.smushcdn.com/1750941/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/20161013_144540_resized.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=1?w=227)
A copper octopus ornament sparkles on my fireplace year-round. If you love something, keep it out where you can enjoy it. 🙂
![20161013_120231](https://b1750941.smushcdn.com/1750941/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/20161013_120231.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=1?w=218)
Another cherished cephalopod: a whimsical print from Teri.
![getmedia-ashx](https://b1750941.smushcdn.com/1750941/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/getmedia-ashx.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=1?w=300)
Teri and Marlis used pops of orange effectively when they staged this home for sale. Orange is both unexpected and memorable, and harmonizes with most wood tones.
![gafford-0002-edit](https://b1750941.smushcdn.com/1750941/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/gafford-0002-edit.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=1?w=300)
A bedroom in a listing of mine reminds me of orange sorbet…yummy! In larger areas like this, full-strength orange would’ve been be too intense.
![tw4th-pix-0993](https://b1750941.smushcdn.com/1750941/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/tw4th-pix-0993.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=1?w=291)
Check out the bold color Teri picked for the front door of our first-place-winning parade float this summer.
![orange-ford](https://b1750941.smushcdn.com/1750941/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/orange-ford.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=1?w=300)
An orange Ford in an Orcas field. I snapped this picture years ago when I first thought of a post about orange.
![img_0977](https://b1750941.smushcdn.com/1750941/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/img_0977.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=1?w=300)
California poppies sunning themselves over Massacre Bay. Blue and orange are opposites on the color wheel, making a classic complementary color scheme.
![p1000508](https://b1750941.smushcdn.com/1750941/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/p1000508.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=1?w=300)
Wild Orange Honeysuckle in our yard attracts and feeds hummingbirds.
![img_3655](https://b1750941.smushcdn.com/1750941/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/img_3655.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=1?w=300)
Critters come in orange too! Here, a poisonous Red-Bellied Newt sports a fire orange underbelly as a warning to predators.
![Orcas Island Scenes](https://b1750941.smushcdn.com/1750941/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/west-sound-marina-crop-copy.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=1?w=300)
The most prolific display of orange on our island is the bark of the beautiful Pacific Madrone tree.
![beach-golden-hour-1](https://b1750941.smushcdn.com/1750941/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/beach-golden-hour-1.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=1?w=300)
Orcas Island’s western shoreline lights up at golden hour.
![sunset347-copy](https://b1750941.smushcdn.com/1750941/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/sunset347-copy.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=1?w=300)
The sunsets from the west side of Orcas are simply breathtaking. The tiny floating island is White Rock.
![p1020935](https://b1750941.smushcdn.com/1750941/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/p1020935.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=1?w=300)
What October post about orange would be complete without pumpkins?
After writing this post, I’ve decided to I’m going to bring more cheery orange into my life. How about you?