The statement-making shade you should be incorporating in your home
While Pantone has chosen a colorless color of the year for 2026, we’re still holding tight to the color theory that first went viral on TikTok two years ago.
The Unexpected Red Theory is the idea that adding a pop of crimson can add interest, depth and, in some situations, awaken a space to its true potential. Local designer Dan Bergeron has always been an advocate for color and an expert at incorporating unexpected shades. But as expected, he is in complete agreement with this theory.
In our October 2024 issue, Bergeron’s designs were highlighted in the homes feature story, Pure Imagination, where this theory is seen throughout the spaces.
“Mixing neutrals and cool colors can create calm, livable spaces, but adding warm colors, such as red, changes the dynamic completely,” Bergeron says. “Red can create a statement in almost any shade.” He goes on to explain that he has always believed spaces should include an element of black and a pop of yellow to create contrast and add energy. “Adding red follows this same design principle,” he says.
With warmer, more colorful interiors making a comeback, Bergeron says people are beginning to realize their spaces lack depth and layers. “If adding red in paint or upholstery is too much of a commitment, pillows or a large piece of art could effectively add red to a design,” he notes.
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“I am always open to using values of any color in my designs,” he says. “A wider range of colors in a space creates a more layered, interesting design that doesn’t feel one-note. Warm colors are necessary to counterbalance cool colors, and red has made a welcome comeback in more dramatic hues than the red we remember in design 20-30 years ago.”
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