So the Christmas season is over, the tree, its decorations and ornaments packed away. The wreaths from doorways taken down and the last of the wrapping paper and cards boxed up for next year.

Our table centre piece of candles, pine cones and berries looked so at home on our table, with table runners bordered with scarlet ribbon trim.

In Germany, traditionally trees were brought inside, decorated with nuts and berries contrasting with the white of snow outside. Our colour association with red and Christmas had begun.

For me, memories of the Swedish Jul Tompten (Christmas man) stories of my childhood are stirred up: the little man carrying a sack of Christmas presents wrapped with red ribbon and bows who could never be seen or heard visiting late at night. His little red hat and sack stood out against the cold white snow.

One year I was given a racing car at Christmas: a child- sized sports car I could sit in and peddle around happily. Naturally it was red, the colour of speed and danger.

Red is both vigorous and assertive, no wonder it is universally used for stop signs! In nature red is the colour of poison berries, attracting and tempting to be eaten, but also a warning to stop or be careful.

Red is a colour that demands a passionate reaction. For the Chinese, it’s a colour of luck, good fortune and happiness. Indians use red liberally in wedding ceremonies.

At this time of year, young couples in love exchange bouquets of red roses: the most luxurious bloom and the colour of seduction.

I was recently given a DVD series of Brideshead Revisited, which I remember watching on TV many years ago. Then it struck me: the set featured a connected series of rooms opening one upon the other, linked by flock and damask window and wall coverings, soft furnishings and upholstery brocades in the deepest and richest of reds. Red was used to signify luxury and richness, wealth and power, a sumptuous background for galleries displaying artworks and collections.

Such grand spaces through history have been decorated with rich ruby, claret and vermillion. European decoration has utilised the power passion in grand homes and public state buildings for centuries.

But for you and me red is tricky in our homes. Very few of us live in grand homes which can cope with all four walls coloured red; at most perhaps a dining room, where red is intended to generate elevated spirits and excitement. A feature wall in red could be used as a background to highlight a beautiful tapestry or painting.

But I see red, everywhere!

Use it with restraint and it speaks so strongly. I believe in placing a little splash of red in all my rooms: perhaps some flowers, book bindings, artwork, lampshades or cushions. In my home, my favourite lamp has a blood red ceramic base and an ivory shade.

Many years ago, when decorating a children’s clothing store, we selected white walls and light timber floors, black shelving, and then at the last minute we painted an exposed water pipe signal red: it was dramatic and obvious, but also retreated. It just felt right.

Red commands a presence, it focuses your eyes, enlivens your senses and enriches the soul. Be brave, be daring, use red.

Published in the February 2021 Issue of The Trentham Trumpet