Hot colors can be fun in a room that you don't use as often but want active conversation in, like the formal Fletcher dining room.

Jean: Happy Valentine’s Day, Richard.

Richard: Happy Valentine’s Day, Jean.

Jean: Since this is our first column in the ACT Home and Garden section (having been in the Real Estate section for over three years), and it is Valentine’s Day, what if we discuss something about your favorite holiday? Maybe dark chocolates?

Richard: Jean, you might be the daughter of a life long Hallmark executive, but I still loath Valentine’s Day. It’s for new relationships, not bitter single people.

Jean: Is this where bitter chocolate comes from? Alright, but if you did like something about it, what would that be? Maybe Valentine colors? All the reds, pinks, maybe even a little orange….
Richard: Orange? OK. I’ll play for now. I do like the fiery pallet of the red family. And I’m liking the “new” cinnabar color, or the less glamorous name of the 70’s appliances “coppertone”.

Jean: Even though we saw a lot of pumpkin orange- often mixed with turquoise or tomato reds- at the last design market, I think that needs to be used sparingly to not become tiresome. Warm or hot colors can certainly create high energy, moving towards aggression. Think of the waving red matador’s cape. They can also be fun in a room that you don’t use as often, but want active conversation in….like a formal dining room.

Richard: I would even consider blush pinks or vibrant fuchsia in my own place as long as I could tone it down with a charcoal color, black accents and some steel furniture. And then I am not sure whether I would hide on Easter or have a party.

Jean: I love blush pinks and hot pinks contrasting with black. Blush pink is maybe the most relaxing warm color, and one of the most flattering colors for many people to be surrounded by. That’s why it’s often a great bedroom color choice. And to crank it up a notch, hot pink is one of my favorite vibrant colors. In my past life, I went to a psychologist whose office was painted hot pink. Guess she figured, let’s just rev it up and get it going! Worked for me.

Richard: Don’t go there, Jean. I think you should get it going back to her office and get your money back. And if you celebrate Valentine’s Day, a wonderful heartfelt letter is worth more than any flowers or candy. So don’t be shy in words or color.