Vermilion
Vermilion
Color of the Week! History, Interior Design & Color Palette
Common Ore of Mercury
This bright reddish-orange color (vermilion) you see below comes from a mineral called cinnabar, which is the naturally occurring form of mercury (II) sulfide (HgS)!
Cinnabar is a mineral often associated with areas of recent volcanic activity and alkaline hot springs. This mineral, referred to as cinnabarite or red mercury sulfide and also known as native vermilion, is the primary source for mercury extraction.
A Brief History
This red-orange pigment has been used for centuries, and its origin is both natural and historical. Cinnabar, which I just briefly introduced, has been used as a source of vermilion pigment since ancient times.
“Vermilion”
The word “vermilion” comes from the Latin word “vermiculus”, meaning “little worm”. It originally referred to a type of red dye made from the powdered bodies of the Kermes Vermilio insect.
The Production Process
Prior to synthetic vermilion, the pigment was made through grinding the cinnabar mineral into a fine powder, which produced the bright red pigment.
In 8th century CE, the technique of artificially synthesizing vermilion through the reaction of sulfur and mercury was developed in China, after which synthetic vermilion became more common.
In the 17th century, the “dutch dry-method” of making Vermilion came about and was considered an improvement over earlier methods. This method is no longer used as today’s chemical processes are much more efficient and safer, but it undoubtedly leaves behind a legacy.
Through the Years
The earliest known use of cinnabar as a pigment can be traced all the way back to around 5000 BCE, in Neolithic China. It was highly prized for its vibrant color and was used for all sorts of arts and decoration such as pottery, murals, and burial items.
Vermilion was also loved in Ancient Rome, and was used for a variety of purposes such as art and decoration, cosmetics and personal adornment, and even politicals and rituals. This red-orange color was a sign of wealth and status due to its cost and difficulty of obtaining the material.
Later, this pigment remained popular in Medieval Europe, during which time the pigment was mainly used for manuscripts, paintings, and artworks!
In the 20th century, the use of vermilion declined due to safer synthetic alternatives increasingly becoming available, and today, it is only really used for art conservation and historical reproduction purposes.
Applied to Interior Design
Vermilion is a vibrant and bold color that adds warmth, energy, and a sense of dynamism to any interior space. Before we get into some tasteful ways to incorporate this color into a space, take a look at a couple insiration images I pulled from Pinterest:
Styles Vermilion works well with
This color looks beautiful with many different styles, but it flourishes in Bohemian, Art Deco, and Contemporary interiors especially.
With Bohemian, the color can be introduced through textiles like rugs, cushions, or wall hangings to further give the space that cozy and inviting atmosphere.
With Art Deco, on the other hand, Vermilion undoubtedly suits the boldness of the style and can be used to enhance the space’s already existing drama and opulence.
Contemporary interiors are usually sleek, modern, and minimalistic, so vermilion is a great option for a pop of color against an otherwise neutral color palette. Provides a striking contrast to the overall simplicity!
Physically Incorporating it
Because of how intense this color is, it is suggested to be used thoughtfully to avoid overwhelming the space. Let’s get into it.
It’s best used as an accent color! This can be executed through statement walls, bold furniture pieces, textiles (cushions, throws and pillows) or art pieces and decorative accessories.
Vermilion is considered to look especially beautiful in entryways and hallways as the color is both energizing and welcoming, and will definitely make that first impression a memorable one. Entry spaces are also transitional, meaning that people don’t tend to spend long periods of time there.
It also looks great in kitchen and dining areas, specifically when it comes to kitchen cabinetry and backsplashes. The inspiration image above is a perfect example of a vermilion tile backsplash.
Color Palette
This color pairs well with quite a few colors, but below I’ve curated a color palette with some of my favorite vermilion color combinations. Here I’ve included a cream off-white, olive green, a soft (somewhat muted) blue, and a charcoal gray. Check it out!
Color Characteristics
If you’re interested in using vermilion in one of your creative projects, whether its interior design, graphic design or something entirely different, below are its digital color characteristics:
Hex Code: #E34234
RGB Values: (227, 66, 52)
Hopefully you enjoyed learning a bit about vermilion, and if you have a color in mind that you would like for me to cover in next week’s COTW, comment below!