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Soft and subdued, yellow is often used in the nursery and bathrooms to create a calm, quiet place to begin a new life or to start the morning. But this versatile colour is not just for the duck-and-bunny set or for old-fashioned spaces. Pick the right shade and yellow can be dramatic, daring and surprisingly debonair. Here are some of the ways colour-savvy designers prove that yellow isn't always mellow.
Tropical punch
Bold, bright and luscious, these mango walls were coloured specifically for the space. Though not a common choice for living spaces, this fabulous orangey-yellow was just right for the room — and for the folks who spend their time in it.
And it had to be fun, yet sophisticated.
That's where the mahogany floor and ceiling come in; the mango colour was selected to work with the tones of the wood. Selecting the right yellow to work with various woods can be tricky, says the designer. "I think an ash-blond wood should work with just about any colour, but if the wood is warm toned (honey gold), then the wall colour should be warm, too."
In the mood
This urban apartment belongs to a modern-day career girl. The rest of the rooms are camel, black, cream and white. But for the bathroom, she wanted something lively and fresh and unexpectedly modern. Because there are no mouldings to separate one plane from another, the designer painted the ceiling the same colour as the walls.
Surrounding the room in a single colour adds a finished look, and in a small bathroom you always need to have a wow factor, so be bold, and be dramatic.
Sophisticated colours
Although this yellow bedroom belongs to a young girl, there is nothing bland or babyish about the space. The walls were glazed, then handpainted, and the ceiling is a soft peach. The room is decorated with painted furniture and antiques, and a variety of fabrics in yellow, peach and coral.
This is a sophisticated use of yellow because it is offset by a stronger colour," says the designer. "The beautiful coral red of the fabrics gives the pale yellow the charge it needs to keep it from looking too sweet or too much like an infant's room. It's definitely feminine, but it doesn't scream little girl."
Explaining how the right yellow and accent colours for this room were decided upon, the designer says, "All colours tend to mix if they have similar undertones. This red has a more orange-raspberry base, which blends beautifully with the warm yellow. Also, the values of the colours should be in the same range in order to stand up to each other."
Fresh and sunny
There are many ways to make yellow look modern and fresh.
Yellow is back in bright, chrome yellow or soft bamboo, and looking especially fresh. And blues are a natural partner for yellow, reminiscent of classic country, whilst green will soothe and give an outdoorsy feel, but purple will offer the highest contrast, yet be the most nostalgic.
Whatever colour combination you choose, remember to try the paint on the walls to see how it looks at different times of the day. Once you've found a colour that appeals to you, go ahead and try it, even if it's bolder or brighter than the shades you normally select.
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