A splash of sunshine
EVEN a hint of sunshine peeping through grey skies instantly lifts our spirits, and the good news is yellow shades can work that same magic indoors.
A yellow palette – from bright daffodil through to custard or zingy citruses – is guaranteed to bring a whole lot of cheer to any room, and will have an uplifting quality that sings spring has arrived.
“Yellow cannot fail to add a little sunshine to any setting. It evokes energy, and creates a sense of warmth and zest,” promises Laura Kelway-Bamber, creative director at The Headboard Workshop (www. theheadboardworkshop.co.uk).
“Team yellow with a bold black or navy feature wall for drama and you’ll also conjure a sense of sophistication and elegance. In a bedroom, subtle, softer yellows are a wise choice, and this will avoid the colour dominating or feeling overbearing. Yellow tones are great for details such as accessories, as they’ll stand out and act as visual focus points in a scheme. Yellow’s also brilliant in smaller rooms, as it can help create a sense of space and warmth.”
So banish those winter blues and welcome spring’s signature shade into your home... to make a statement or add a complementary hint of colour to existing home decor.
“Darker shades are particularly striking in a living area or bedroom when teamed with blue, while citrus lemons suit a kitchen or dining area. Grey, pale green and creamy hues work well around the home alongside yellow, and are more interesting alternatives to white.”
Make light work of revamping anything from furniture and light fittings to kitchen units, with Rust-Oleum’s spray paint range. Try a sunflower shade in a Mode Spray Paint, £14.99 for 400ml, Homebase, or a marigold gloss Painter’s Touch Spray paint, £7 for 400ml, Wilko. If you’re dreaming of a new kitchen, Crown Imperial’s Rococo collection in matt yellow and white makes a stunning combo; a full kitchen from around £10,000. And don’t overlook the floor; new carpet can totally transform a room and Carpetright’s Kosset Major Twist Plus Carpet, £29.99 per sq m, comes in a saffron shade. Next has embraced yellow, making it easy to give a facelift to a bedroom, with its Retro Floral Bed Set, from £22; matching curtains, from £45, and a quilted circles throw, from £40. For a fun touch, add a Vegas LED plastic fun light – Star Yellow, £19.95, Boutique Camping.