Oxblood will be the color of 2025. It’s a bold statement, but rich and sophisticated, with warm, bold colors. An enveloping brown-toned red.
Call it a shift from the cherry hues seen as part of this year’s “Unexpected Red Theory,” or a subtle change from the burgundy that the design world has been focusing on in recent years, but either way, the male Cow blood is the beating heart. Some of the most soulful and noble new schemes from the world’s best designers.
Topping that list is Anne McDonald, founder of Minnesota-based studio Anne McDonald. Oxblood is a shade she has used for years as an accent and to wrap around a room. In a conversation with Pip Rich, executive editor of Livingetc, she explains why this color trend is rapidly gaining traction.
Ann McDonald
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Founder of Anne McDonald Design
Minnesota-based interior designer Anne McDonald specializes in combining classic design references with modern, luxurious materials. This studio’s color palette is both fresh and timeless.
Anne recommends oxblood as a color that pairs well with greens and blues, shades found in nature.
(Image credit: Taylor Hall O’Brien. Design: Anne McDonald Design)
Pip Rich: Oxblood is a color that appears relatively frequently in artwork and statement applications. Why are you drawn to this color?
Ann MacDonald: You know, I’ve always loved oxbloods, so I’m glad that other people love oxbloods too. It cocoons you. It has brown in it, so it doesn’t feel too harsh. It comes in a sexy dark color and is very comfortable.
PR: We’ve seen burgundy as a big color trend, but for me oxblood is a very natural and subtle way for it to evolve. Apparently they look quite similar! What do you think is the difference between them?
AD: Well, burgundy has blue undertones, and oxblood has brown undertones. That is, it is a little warmer, while burgundy is considered a little cooler. I think burgundy was a safe way for people to get used to this color family. Oxblood is its mature iteration. I actually consider oxblood a neutral because there’s something very grounded about it. This is the same way I approach blush tones.
“It’s so grounded that I actually consider oxbloods to be neutral.”
Ann McDonald, interior designer
PR: Of course. Because blush tones are easy to combine. Oxbloods probably do too, right?
Advertisement: Yes! It’s so timeless, so classic, and can be paired with so many different things. Cerulean, blue, green. I instinctively prefer bright, bright colors. Oxblood is an earth color, its brown tones grounding you, complemented by sky blues and grass greens. Everything is so dynamic and fresh.
Brass accents are a way to add elegance when decorating with this dark shade of red.
(Image credit: Wing Ho. Design: Anne McDonald Design)
PR: I especially like how the brass hardware in your bathroom project seems to pick up the shine of the oxblood vanity.
AD: The brass accents definitely incorporate the cow’s blood in a very equestrian way and help you understand the richness of the cognac. Leather, suede. These are all very handsome tones, but the oxblood red adds a little sexiness. That’s why oxblood feels so good on your skin in the bathroom, dining room, or anywhere else with low lighting.
PR: Do you subscribe to the Unexpected Red Theory? I have to say there’s something to it, but I’m wondering if Rise Oxblood is part of it too.
AD: Hmm. I believe in the surprising red theory, but I always pay attention to what’s trending. I don’t think you can just insert a red accent pillow and call it a day. That’s too unnatural. What works for me in this theory is that it asks me to look at my room and decide if it’s creating excitement. If not, you may have missed an unexpected tone, which could easily become a red flag. In design, we often talk about repetition and how it can be used to create a coherent scheme, but there can be too much repetition, and the best way to eliminate it is to create tension ( (another design theory) is also needed. That’s what red, or oxblood, can do. A disruptor that brings an element of surprise. Perhaps oxblood is the ultimate in red theory!
This dining room is painted in Benjamin Moore’s Oxblood paint color.
(Image credit: Taylor Hall O’Brien. Design: Anne McDonald Design)
PR: Are there any oxblood paints you’ve used recently that you think are particularly good examples of this color?
AD: Townsend Herber Brown by Benjamin Moore. That’s the color we used in the dining room we were talking about. I’m seeing other designers using it as a reference as well, so it’s been a while.
PR: I know that shade. I love that you can dress it up and make it pretty formal, or dress it down and make it more casual.
AD: Yes, it can be smart or informal. The light color contrast of a travertine table makes it ideal for your dining room. The whole scheme is contemporary and has very playful elements. The bathroom, on the other hand, is a bit more solid and more seriously thought out, with wood paneling. That’s what oxblood is all about, and there are endless options for how to use it. It can be something fancy or something realistic. Just like me!
PR: Me too! Are there any other colors that you are currently attracted to?
AD: I really like green with a yellow base. You know, the mossy greens, the olives… In fact, I’m looking at Pierre Frey fabric swatches right now in front of me. It’s olive, and you know what it really goes with? Oxblood!
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Price: $270
Perfect for the oxblood trend, this vase in purple, red, and brown is an attention-grabbing accent piece.
Price: $249
This dome table lamp is a deep red/brown color that looks a little more saturated when switched on.
Sahara Massif Brown + Oxblood
Price: From $746
Beige is the perfect combination with oxblood, and this patterned rug achieves that combination in a sophisticated way.
Price: $916
This deep, rich red brings a new dimension to modern silhouettes like this armchair, and brass accents enhance the look.
Price: $68
Classic velvet pillows can be used to add this on-trend color to your sofa or bed.
Price: $5.99 per sample
Anne’s perfect Benjamin Moore oxblood paint color leans heavily towards brown.
