1 MSL photographer Johnny Miller documented me with my Hermes box collection.
2 Shades of orange everywhere, even in the floral arrangement.
3 Martha Stewart Living editors love to paint the back of book shelves and this case is not exception. Orange makes the items pop.
4 I love pairing a pale palette with a bolder hue of orange.
5 Love this autumnal palette of burnt oranges.
6 Adding a touch of pale orange to a light source gives the room a great sunset glow.
7 Organizing with orange accents is perfect.
8 Simple, solid blocks of orange as art work is fun.
9 Retro citrus shades and coffee maker. Love it.
10 Sunny orange is so inviting.
11 I appreciate the orange repeat on this bed.
12 Such a great combination of an orange-red with gray.
13 Everything about this shot works: the pumpkin orange, brown ribbon and crisp white wainscoting.
14 Rich, velvety oranges.
15 This combination of accent orange on the cushions and window treatment with the table makes a great photo.
16 Doses of hot orange visually organizes disparate elements in this formal living room.
17 Hits of orange in the bedroom.
18 Martha on the cover of the color issue, May 2008.
I have been trying to decide what to do with my collection of Hermes boxes and it got me thinking about the color orange. Using it as an accent color in a room can be fun, warming and/or vibrant (depending upon the rest of the decor). Over the years, editors at Martha Stewart Living magazine have used it well and I went back into the archives to get some inspiration.
I also have a neatly organized binder in my office containing a full set of paint chips from Martha Stewart's new line at Home Depot. It never fails to inspire when I'm on the hunt for that perfect hue. Here, some of my favorite paints with a tinge of orange:
From left to right: Punch (014), Butterscotch (050), Graham Cracker Crust (051), October Leaf (052), Yam (083).
Kevin Sharkey 
From: Trish | 6/3/10 at 10:01 am
Thanks Kevin! I'm happy you were inspired by the color orange. I love the photos from the archives and especially showing the painted backs of bookcases. I think I have new respect for that color now which was never my favorite. I had never thought about the different shades though. I really like the orange-red with gray in picture #12. I can't wait to see what you do with your boxes. Build a landscape maybe? Have fun. Oh, thanks for mentioning the May 2008 Color issue - I'm perusing it now!
From: Renee | 6/3/10 at 11:34 am
I've been wanting to warm up my front room with a little punch of color, and now I'm convinced! Orange is just the ticket. I love your blog because of the beautiful photos you include in almost every post. Thanks for the inspiration!
Renee in Tennessee
From: Wanda | 6/3/10 at 12:00 pm
I'll take that round hat box off your hands, if you can't find anything thing to do with it!
They are so beautiful, not to mention well made. I still keep LV, Gucci, Hermes, etc from years ago.
I even have some beautiful boxes my grandmother had.
Store them, if you have to, just do not throw them out.
I know, why don't you build a fort out of them in you bedroom!
From: Anette birkeland | 6/4/10 at 3:55 am
I love that hallway - and it really reminds me of an Hermés box tied with the ribbon
I always keep my boxes as well - I use them to store my scarves in. Not so original perhaps, but it makes my accessories closet look gorgeous. The scarves I don´t have boxes for I wrap in pink tissue paper - I love the combination of orange and pink and I like to see something pretty in the morning when I get dressed. What about Ladurée boxes? They are so beautiful but I still haven´t put them to use. Can´t wait to see what you do with all your orange boxes!
From: Kim Campbell | 6/11/10 at 10:19 pm
Hey Kevin-I would be more than happy to take ANY of the beautiful, orange Hermes boxes off your hands.
From: Nouveau Stitch | 6/16/10 at 12:42 pm
I am so glad to learn I'm not the only one that collects beautiful store boxes...mine happen to be of the spring-green persuasion a la Kate Spade. I hope you come up with a good idea soon. I'm having a hard time justifying an addition onto my overstuffed attic.
And while you're working those brain cells, how about addressing my collection of shopping bags...sooo beautiful!
Ellen