HOW TO USE yellow
Warm custard shades
work well with the woody tones of antique pine in country kitchens.
Bright yellow
should be used with restraint in small spaces. Try it on just a single wall, below a dado rail or even the insets of alcoves to be sure it isn’t too overbearing.
Cheery lemon
and a combination of floral prints add a seasonal spring update to a simple all-white room with scatter cushions, a bed throw or pretty kitchen crockery.
Deep mustard
will bring warmth and character to a dark country living room. Combine with antique furniture, rustic woven willow and woollen and velvet textures.
Vibrant yellow
introduces an uplifting hint of bright sunshine with painted window shutters in a bathroom or a single pendant light. It can also add visual warmth underfoot and will enhance the natural tones of wood boards, so incorporate the colour in a stair runner or rug, or as a fabric border around a sisal mat.
Yellow patterns
are more favourable than a solid wall colour to showcase the proportions of a large room. A large-scale chintzy floral will add elegance to a bedroom, while a modern geometric will establish contemporary flair to a period hallway.
Sophisticated gold tones
evoke a sense of grandeur. Use as soft furnishings, especially in linen and velvet finishes, and window treatments in country homes with dark wood panelling, or team with soft grey and muted rose in modern spaces.
BRIGHTEN UP
A mid-toned yellow is a classic Regency colour and was often the favourite shade for parlours and day rooms. Use all over, on walls, woodwork and inset shelving, to maximise the light-enhancing qualities of the colour.
THE LUXURY TOUCH
Use the golden tones of yellow to add a sense of luxury to a room. In a small country snug, the striking combination of colour, shape and texture are all it takes to elevate the space from sparse to exuberant. A classic wingback armchair, reupholstered in rich mustard velvet, has immediate impact.