WORKINH WITH YELLOW
When it comes to the heart of the home, yellow isn't just for a classic country-style kitchen. Cheery lemon-yellow makes any kitchen more inviting. Combining yellow, black and white is an exciting, stylish color scheme that always works ... and I'm totally loving the checkerboard flooring in this space.
In decorating, bright yellow is often relegated to accessories. And no one is complaining about lemon yellow throw pillows or kitchen appliances; the color works great as a splashy accent. But it doesn't necessarily need to be used sparingly. In fact, you can put it anywhere — as long as you have a good plan. Yellow will draw the eye and become an automatic focal point. Yellow's perfect color wheel date is violet, purple or indigo. It looks smashing with cool grays, navy blue and eggplant. Yellow also pairs well with other citrus tones (greens and oranges). Bright yellow can slide between orange and green hues. Most yellows in decor tend to be on the warmer side, with peachy undertones. But there is lots of room for green-yellows too, especially in midcentury modern and contemporary modern design. A bright yellow (with lots of green in it) wakes up this kitchen, making it seem modern and fresh. Imagine these walls in beige — see how boring that would be?
10. Use what you’ve got. Brighten up the simplest of spaces — and in the quickest of ways — by accessorizing with something you might already have lying around. In this case, an all-white display of dishware gets a lift with the addition of one simple yellow plate. You could also use a cup or jug, prop up a yellow postcard or add a bowl of lemons for the same effect.
7. Spread it out. Yellow works well in multiples too, so go wild and spread it around a room. In this space, a gray background is the perfect canvas for experimentation, and the yellow accents — candles, cushions, flowers and rug details — all help lift the tapestry of gray from the shadows. With dark walls so popular right now, a sprinkling of yellow could be just the ticket for bringing a moody hue to life.
6. Make a fresh start. Doors are often overlooked, considered merely a means to an end, but this home’s inviting entrance is a perfect argument for putting that notion to rest. A yellow door opens up your home from the inside as well as the outside, meaning you’ll be stepping in and out with a smile on your face.
4. Bring out the best in blue. It’s no secret that blue and yellow work well together, but rather than going all-in, think about the combination in terms of accents. This blue sofa was just another ordinary number until the textured yellow throw entered the picture. Like a sailboat on the sea, a splash of yellow can be all you need to create impact.
3. Center it. Yellow can look good anywhere, but a sunny centerpiece as the standalone feature is especially memorable. To achieve something like the wall in this room, choose your perfect golden hue and mask out the shape you want to paint. Now for the clever part: Go over the yellow-painted area with a transparent magnetic whiteboard paint to create a sunny feature wall that’s interactive too.
2. Give your kitchen some zest. White kitchens are all the rage, but a dash of color can add a twist of individuality to make them stand out. Prints and pictures are a perfect way to introduce an eye-catching feature, as with this zesty yellow lemon print. Throw in another yellow accessory, like the little jar here, to consolidate the lemony scheme.
1. Allow yellow to take the lead. The eye is naturally drawn to the boldest or most colorful feature in a room, so make the most of this unconscious process. At the forefront of a space, a small yellow feature such as a side table can work wonders with a backdrop of white or grey, giving the impression that your room is color-happy rather than color-lacking. As you can see, this zingy hue is also at home with blush pink, one of this year’s other favorite colors.
Dandelion yellow. If your child enjoys bright colors, yellow is a great choice for her (or his) bedroom. And when it comes to adding accent colors, the brighter the better. In this room, a dandelion wall color sets the stage for vibrant pink curtains. What a great room for creative, happy thoughts!
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