If there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s that I’m a person with strong opinions. I like to remind my husband that I care about *literally* everything, and it’s rare that you ask for my take on something and I don’t feel strongly about it. Up until the last year or so, one of those strongly held opinions was that I *HATE* the color orange. Maybe it’s because I’m blonde and a classic orange is just about the most unflattering color on me, but regardless of the reason, I’ve always avoided the color like the plague. Over the last year, though, I’ve come around to certain shades of orange – in particular, rust and terracotta. And when Julia from Chris Loves Julia began her color school series earlier this summer, her post on the color orange kind of blew my mind when she mentioned that lots of us have orange in our home and don’t realize it because it’s in the form of copper or leather.
So although you won’t catch me wearing bright orange any time soon, I’m leaning into my love of rust accents as we approach fall. I even picked up my favorite tank top in the most gorgeous rust color last month! But don’t think these accents are limited to just fall – this is a color that will look great in your home year-round. To me, rust is the perfect accent color because it’s earthy enough to pair well with neutrals, but it’s a deep and interesting color that adds a unique flair to any room. So in the spirit of expanding my horizons to include new colors, I’ve rounded up some rust accent pieces that I think would be a welcome addition to any home. Keep reading to see the roundup!
1. Astrid Fringe Stool – I fell in love with this stool the moment I laid my eyes on it several years ago and I still swoon every time I see it! With a $500 price tag, I’m not going to be adding it to my home anytime soon, but I had to include it in this round-up because this was probably the first rust-colored piece I really felt myself gravitating toward. The color is muted but deep and I can’t get over the fringe detail on the bottom. This stool is a perfect example of how accent furniture can pack a big punch.
2. Ribbed Glass Harvest Spice Candle – I know it’s only mid-August, but it’s taking everything in me to resist getting out all the fall decorations. I’m a huge fan of Halloween so I don’t have too many general fall decorations, but the two things I love for fall are dried florals and fall scented candles. I’ve purchased one of the Harvest Spice candles from the Hearth and Hand by Magnolia line at Target at the start of fall for the past three years and I’m certain I’ll be grabbing one again this year! In my opinion, this candle is the perfect fall scent – and I’m obsessed with the color of the jar and the pretty fluted design. It’s the perfect way to incorporate fall in a subtle way!
3. Burl Wood Tray – This was my favorite item in Studio McGee’s fall line at Target – I LOVE burl wood and the rust tone of this one makes it even more interesting. It’s a substantial size without being too big and would work perfectly as the base for a little cocktail or coffee station. I haven’t pulled the trigger yet purely because we already have so many trays in our home that I can’t even think of where I’d put this, but I might have to scoop it anyways because it’s just that good.
4. Rust Dried Florals – As I mentioned in this post earlier this week, I’m in the process of transitioning most of the faux florals in our home to dried florals. I think they bring a certain texture and character that faux florals can’t quite match. While I’m not much of a seasonal decorator when it comes to things like throw pillows and cute signs, I do like switching out my florals to reflect the current season. Last year I built up my arsenal of fall dried florals and I just might need to add these pretty ones to my collection. I’m always looking for ones that would work in smaller vases and these fit the bill perfectly.
5. Velvet Pillow Covers – With apologies to my friend Alicia who is the most anti-velvet person I know, I’m officially ready to declare that I’m in my velvet era. I’ve been seeing a resurgence in the popularity of velvet over the last couple of years and last year I started to dip my toe into incorporating velvet into my own home. I love the velvet throw pillows on our bed and I actually just ordered this velvet lumbar pillow for the guest room. Although our velvet pillows are olive green, velvet and rust is a winning combination in my book and these pillow covers would make a great addition to any home. I love using pillow covers as a way to switch up decor every so often – you can buy one insert and multiple covers and switch them out when you’re ready for change!
6. Fox Oil Painting Print – I follow a few bloggers who have this print in their home and I just think it’s so charming! The colors would pop in any space, but I like that they lean earthier so it’s not too in your face. I have a soft spot for foxes because Darian and I always say Bolt looks like a little fox, so I just might need to add this one to our home. I think it would look great in a gallery wall or as a standalone piece in a powder room or above a nightstand!
7. Razia Area Rug – I love our kitchen runner, but if I had discovered this rug first I definitely would have chosen it for our kitchen! I can’t get over how deep and saturated the colors are. Pairing complimentary colors like rust and navy makes for a rug that’s a true statement piece. This would be perfect as a kitchen runner or as a way to add color to an otherwise neutral living room. I’d love to see it paired with some velvet curtains for added oomph!
8. True Terracotta Dinner Plate – I got really into cooking when Darian and I moved in together 7 years ago (has it really been that long?), but I’ve gotten into plating as well over the past few months. I always appreciate a pretty plate when I’m eating out, and this one is stunning! I love the saturated color and a big bowl of pasta would look beautiful against this plate.
9. Knit Throw Blanket with Tassels – I am of the opinion that it’s impossible to relax on the couch without a cozy throw blanket. I would be embarrassed to tell you how many throw blankets we have in our house, but they’re just an item that I can’t live without. I’m not picky about my throw blankets, but I love when I can find ones that are pretty and functional. This blanket is the perfect way to add texture to your living room and the tassels give it a little something special!
10. Pleated Taper Candles – I’m a big fan of candlesticks (I even have an entire section of one of my Pinterest boards dedicated to them), which means I also love taper candles. Our built-ins aren’t tall enough to accommodate full-length taper candles, so I’m always looking for shorter ones for that space. These ones are the perfect height for shelves and a great way to incorporate a little more color in your home. I love that the pleated detail makes them feel more unique than the average candle!
11. Upholstered Desk Chair – Darian just purchased a new desk chair and I’m in the market for a new one as well, so I’ve had desk chairs on the brain lately. I can’t get over how cute this one is. I love the velvet texture and the color is perfect – it’s a step above a neutral, but not so bold that it would look out of place in a neutral space. I wouldn’t get a desk chair like this for every day use (I’m all about the lumbar support), but this would be the perfect accessory to add some personality to a desk that is only used occasionally.
