Avid trend followers, magazine readers, department store shoppers, and Color for Your Home Blog visitors may have already heard the news that Yellow is the hot color this year. Announced by Pantone at the end of ‘08, I’ve been waiting to really see this “Mimosa” take shape.
Check out this link for more info on Pantone’s Mimosa:
http://www.flypmedia.com/issues/19/#5/7
So, why yellow? Well, for one it’s a color that shines with optimism, enlightenment, and happiness. Warm sunny yellows carry the promise of a positive future, something we are all looking towards. It also advances from its surroundings, instills energy, and sparks creativity. It’s great in kitchens, living rooms, and is another way to bring the feeling of the outdoors in.
As a color trend forecaster I’m giddy when our predictions for color directions come to fruition. So much so that two years ago I bought a yellow skirt at Anne Taylor Loft on the clearance rack. Unfortunately they were too early in their yellow apparel launch and the skirts were not selling. But ha, I knew what was in our future, so I snapped one up and excitedly waited while I impatiently watched it hang in my closet until the perfect time when I knew I could wear it. If this skirt was on the rack today, I bet it wouldn’t last a day. Timing in color trends is everything! Of course that meant that now I was going to have to add yellow to my whole wardrobe including accessories too!
Then just days ago as I was reading Kate’s “What the Colors Say,” in House Beautiful’s September Color issue (check out her blog post on www.liveinfullcolor.com) I came upon p.44 “Wallpaper Sunshine.” Timed just right, there it was: Bold yellow combined with bold prints. I realized all yellow needed was a product like wallpaper (which by the way is also on its way back, yippee) to give it a boost. Now that’s how you bring a little sunshine into the fast approaching fall season!
Shown here top left to bottom right:
www.pierrefrey.com, www.farrow-ball.com, www.cowtan.com
www.quadrillefabrics.com, www.alphaworkshops.org, www.leejofa.com
So that got me thinking, if yellow is so hot in wallpaper we should be seeing it in fabric too, especially since many of the wallpaper samples from above are also available in fabric. Here are some of my favorite yellow fabric finds.
Calico Corners, Della – Lemon Cotton Fabric: www.calicocorners.com
Calico Corners, Stockholm – Sungold Cotton Fabric: www.calicocorners.com
Vervain, Sunan – Sunshine Silk Fabric: www.vervain.com
Quadrille, China Seas, Fiorentina – Dark Yellow on White Linen/Cotton Fabric: www.quadrillefabrics.com
Duralee Fabric, Thomas Paul Prints – Maize: www.duralee.com
One observation you may be making is that these yellow combinations are all monochromatic schemes. The yellow color family stands alone and is simply paired with neutrals to allow it to create drama and surprise.
It’s also important to remember when working with yellow that color temperature control will define the mood for the space. Yellow is the divider between warm and cool on the color wheel. If your yellow is leaning too green your space will feel cooler, if your yellow stays more true or leans slightly more golden your space will be warmer, more cozy, and more like the yellow trend we see here.
Hi, Kate and Kiki–
Loved all your comments about yellow–which I have on the walls of my kitchen/family room even though I can’t wear this color at all. It cheers me up every time I walk into this room. I wanted to add that the last print fabric shown–the Thomas Paul design–is called AVIARY in color Maize and is also available at the Calico Corners stores or online at http://www.calicocorners.com.
Also, there’s a very pretty photo of a group of fabrics in candlelight yellows with platinum grays on the Calico website. Here’s the link if you want to see this pretty pairing:
http://www.calicocorners.com/category/landingpage/silverliningfabrics.do
Best,
Jan Jessup
Thanks for the comment, Jan. I love the Thomas Paul Aviary pattern. So up-to-date and fun.
Jan,
Thanks for the heads up on the Thomas Paul fabric. I am planning a living room re-invigoration project for my own home, including reupholstering a sofa, window treatments, and TONS of pillows. This fabric is in the running for some of the accent pillows (any maybe even the antique bench in my dinette in order to harmonize the two spaces). Just depends on how many pieces I feel like reupholstering (have time to)!
Kiki Titterud´s last blog ..The ‘Perfect Blue’ at House Beautiful Color Institute