The English Home

COLOUR CONFIDENCE WITH YELLOW

Uplifting yellow

 Yellow is a colour that cannot fail to cheer the spirits – naturally sunny, it brings a joyous burst of light and optimism, whether in citrus lemon, golden honey or warming mustard tones. In China, yellow is traditionally seen as being symbolic of power, royalty and prosperity, so it is also a colour with deep resonance.

There are a wealth of subtle tones to choose from. Green undertones can give yellow a zesty feel, whereas creamier, knocked-back, primrose yellows still bring cheer but are less lively. Golden, honeyed tones offer elegance and work particularly well in luxurious textures of velvets, silks and comforting wools.

Mid-tones of egg yolk are a good choice for a brighter yellow which, tempered as they are with a little orange, make a palatable, welcoming backdrop, and an ideal choice for an inviting hallway or sunny sitting room. Deep mustard hues and spicier notes of saffron and turmeric add warmth whilst still retaining the optimism that yellows bring to the home.

EXCITING PALETTES

Contrasted with white, yellows create a bright, light and cheering space. Be careful, though, to choose whites or creams with the right base notes to complement the yellow hue. An off-white with a grey cast will work especially well with any shade of yellow. Mix in patterns and textures for variation, sticking to one tone of yellow with white to set a clean, fresh mood.

Yellow and grey

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