I Think I've Contracted Yellow (Decorating) Fever!!! (pics)

15 years ago

I'm still not sure if this is a totally positive thing, although I'm thinking it is. I've gotten this huge bug lately to brighten up everything with yellow and now it's spreading from my dining room into my kitchen and family room (and even my clothes)!

It all started with my daughter making me this pitcher in art class for me to store my cooking utensils in. I love sunflowers and loved the bright pop of yellow with all my new dark cherry cabs.

{{!gwi}}

And then we replaced our whitewashed dining room set with mahogany pieces. Suddenly it was getting a bit too dark in this place!

First I found this 2 foot long Talavera pot to brighten up my new dining room furniture. This was a good move.

And then it spread to my new dishes, which I did need desperately, as we were down to 5 (dull, boring) plates and the pattern was out of production:

That started me thinking that the family room, which opens into the kitchen and has a brown leather sofa, needed some brighter throw pillows. This is the sofa, although I've since moved it around in the room.

So, I found this gorgeous fabric online and ordered enough to make 2 slipcovers for the muted print pillows to use for Spring, Summer and (maybe) Fall and then and take them off for Winter. The fabric should be arriving very soon.

This morning I got to looking at the kitchen and thought it needed a bit more yellow, too (insert very embarrassed face here). I'd seen some gorgeous Talavera pottery when I bought my pot for the dining room, but it's so darn pricey . . . and then (sigh!), I found this gorgeous platter on Ebay. It's 15" tall and was very reasonably priced.

{{!gwi}}

I've photoshopped it onto the mantel of my kitchen hood, where I want to prop it.

{{!gwi}}

I don't have any other yellow in my kitchen now except for these pieces over the fridge/double oven cabs.

{{!gwi}}

And these by my sink:

{{!gwi}}

So, what do you think? Is this "Yellow Fever" a good thing for my house, do I need more or is it time to STOP? ;^P

Lynn

Featured Answer

parma42

15 years ago

When I get the feeling that I'm overdoing sunflowers, I just bring out the lemons...and oranges...and limes.

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Comments (29)

organic_smallhome
15 years ago
I think what's happening is that you're discovering your style, which appears to be Spanish/Mediterranean-influenced. So, no--don't stop! Go over to the Gallery section of the forum and look at the "Yellows/Golds" thread. You might just get inspired. :)

Disclaimer: I love yellow.
parma42
15 years ago
I'm sorry to inform you that your condition may be terminal.

I started with golds and yellows, years ago, and now I can't pick out a paint without holding up one of my ceramic pieces to make sure the wall color doesn't look "washed out" against it.

Welcome to the club!
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If you're thinking Arts & Crafts bungalow, you can always look to some of the originals, many of which now have painted trims (though honestly I *wish* more of them still had their original stained trim, ours included!) It was also very common to paint trim and cabinetry (and thus use "lower grade" wood, which in those days meant redwood or fir instead of oak) in the kitchen, bath, and bedrooms and have stained trim and casework in the dining and living rooms, and that worked fine. That might be a way to manage costs while still getting the look you love. And I've seen some gorgeous kitchen remodels using cherry or fir cabinets with painted white trim and white built-ins that mix it up a bit in houses where the trim had already been painted but people didn't want white kitchens (and didn't want the cost of replacing original trim!) Fir in particular is one of my faves with soapstone, though it is a soft wood so it will ding. We also have a painted gray and white kitchen, which mixes it up a bit in a different way. There's no rule that painted cabs must be white---and honestly, a lot of the reason that listings for houses of that age have painted cabinets (especially white) is that it's a very easy way to clean up and "modernize" older cabinets for resale. (At least, that happens a lot where we live---people paint and put on new counters to sell an older kitchen.) Some of those were probably put in as stained kitchens, but had woods that aren't "trendy" these days and thus dated the kitchens. I love our painted kitchen, but if we'd had the resources, we would have seriously considered QS oak or fir (even the fir was far more costly than our paint-grade poplar). I'd be sure you're okay with the tradeoff before switching gears.
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patty_cakes
15 years ago
Lynn, I think a golden color will be beautiful with your new furniture,as well as the pottery! A change is always nice,if you've had the same thing for years.

IMO, it would bring the sunshine even more!
cooperbailey
15 years ago
I am loving it!! great choices.
loribee
15 years ago
I love it, too...sunny, cheerful! Lori
jmck_nc
15 years ago
This is what we call "project creep" at my house. Usually this refers to home improvements, but lately for me more decorating (thanks to this forum!). People also refer to this phenomenon as "while we're at it..." It can be very expensive. I love your home and all of your new, yellow/bright items. Been reading this forum compulsively for a while and enjoying the many ideas to continue my decorating project creep almost indefinitely.
Judy
patricianat
15 years ago
Not to discourage you because you have some great items, but I get that yellow thing every year when the weather starts cooling down and sunflowers are at their best, the garden is beginning to die back and I imagine yellow squash, pumpkins, napkins, table runners and towels all aglow with rich yellows.
lynninnewmexico
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks so much for your kind words of encouragement!
Have you ever NOT noticed something in your own home until you saw it in a photo? I seriously JUST noticed how many things I have decorated with sunflowers :~0 The same thing happened to me with horses ( in case you haven't seen my guest room and bath before; I've at least corraled them into those two rooms now!). Anyhoo, I need to be more careful, as the last thing I want is for our house to start looking CUTE!

* Organic smallhome: you're right, I am gravitating towards the Spanish/Mexican look. It just seems to feel right for this house. What took me so long to discover this?!? I'll take a look at the Gallery tomorrow. Thanks!
*Parma: Too funny! Thanks, are there any dues ;^P ? At least I know I'm in very good company in your "club".
*Patty cakes: it is like bringing sunshine inside, isn't it? I'm loving it!
*Cooperbailey and Loribee, thank you!
*Judy, "Project Creep"? That fits so well! I am definitely in the throes of it! Isn't it fun, though??
*Patricia43 . . . ok, so it was YOU that I caught this "Yellow Fever" from . . . thank you! I caught mine at the beginning of summer, but it's still going strong. Your post is what made me realize about all the sunflowers, though. Yikes . . . too funny!
Again, thanks for all the the encouragement.
Lynn
plainjane425
15 years ago
I agree...it's that time of the year when 'Mellow Yellow' creepes in. It all fits in so well with your home. It has a nice warm glow and makes everything so cheerful. Love the dishes and pottery.
patty_cakes
15 years ago
Lynn, I think we've all gone over the top with something at one time~mine was flowers,especially Roses. Small collections are okay, it's when you're really 'into' having dozens of things.

IMO,anything over 5 becomes a collection~5 can make a nice little vignette. ;o)

A pale gold will be very pretty! ;o)
bayareafrancy
15 years ago
It is looking great!

I too caught yellow fever a few years ago--from my son who adores everything yellow. Man, he looks so cute in his yellow crocs!

We just purchased a new vacuum cleaner, and I refuse to admit how heavily I was influenced by its yellow color!

Alas, I can't *wear* yellow, though my son desperately wants me to. I can't find a yellow that I feel comfortable in.

Yet...

:-)

francy
monicakm_gw
15 years ago
Lynn, I just love your house :) You know when you've been on these forums for so long (2002 in my case) you can start to pick out other's people's spaces. Yours is one of those and I love everything you've done! I started looking at the photos before reading and thought...it's gotta be lynninnewmexio :) I'm hoping to talk DH into going to your beautiful state this fall. It's just "next door" but you know how wide Texas is and we're on the Louisiana side :o love the fireback and PLEASE can you tell me where you found the floor lamp that's next to the brown leather couch?
Thanks,
Monica
work_in_progress_08
15 years ago
lynne - You have a beautiful home and the yellow accents work very well. I think there is something to the time of year, etc. My own home turns toward those colors during this time of year.

Reds and golds are my weakness, and I will seek out the red items in every store I visit. I am picky so I don't always find something I like, but reds and yellows are big colors so we are lucky in that regard. Point is, I think I may have contracted the color fever as well.
deborahnj
15 years ago
Lynn, I have to ask, where did you find that gorgeous fabric? I've been looking for something like that for my bedroom.
cliff_and_joann
15 years ago
Lynne, I love it...it goes so well with your home.
Once you find a color you like to accent with, you can just keep going...Your neutral cream walls provides the perfect canvas for bright accents.
I love the bowl on your dining table, my son bought me one in Mexico for my ming, and I love it...With my obsessive personality I could easily get caught up in collecting that type of pottery.
Your home is gorgeous and wants makes it so, is the uniqueness of it.

Joann
cindyxeus
15 years ago
I have always loved Yellow. In fact I don't think I have ever had a room somewhere in all my places that didn't host some shade of it! At this time in my life it's in my Kitchen. I painted the walls a very soft yellow and in the fall I add the harvest golds,greens, browns and oranges, and in the summer I add the brighter lemmons and limes.
teacats
15 years ago
LOVE LOVE LOVE the new yellow accents -- works beautifully in your gorgeous home!
lynninnewmexico
Original Author
15 years ago
Francy, I need cabinet painting advice so where's your thread on this? I'm planning on painting my laundry room cabs very soon. As for wearing yellow, I had to find the right yellow, too. Being a "Summer" with brown hair and eyes, I look horrible in golds, but great in the paler blueish yellows. It's all in the "seasons of color".

Monicakm, I'm touched . . . thank you! As for visiting New Mexico, you should! Early October is gorgeous here and there's the International Hot Hair Balloon Fiesta. Fall also brings the big fiesta and burning of Old Man Gloom up in Santa Fe and our (fabulous) state fair which is held in Albuquerque. The floor lamp I found at a local shop, Arteriors, in Albuquerque several years ago. There's no brand name on it that I can find and I've never seen another one like it, although I'm sure they're out there somewhere.

Parma, "Limes"? Now that's a great idea for next Summer!

Slinkey, thanks! Yes, it's definitely getting to that time of year. I love Fall!

Patty cakes: are you thinking pale gold for the walls or just the furnishings? Since about 85% of all my interior walls are exposed adobe, we tend to keep them cream color. That and a light brown, which I wouldn't want in here, are the basic adobe colors around these parts.

Work in progress, another one for our "I Love Yellow" club! Reds are my other weakness, too. I can't imagine my home without it.

Deborahnj: it's Waverly's Exotic Passages Samsara Saffron. Isn't it pretty? You can order it from JoAnns Fabrics online or in their store as a special order, the online www.fabricworkroom.com or where I ordered mine, www.jackmansfabrics.com. Their price is the cheapest right now at $12.99/ 54" yd. I'm wondering, though, if you could get it through a JoAnns store and not have to pay the s&h. With one of their coupons, it might turn out to be even cheaper.

JoAnn, Thank you! You should check out the Talavera on Ebay. Their prices are so much more reasonable than any other place I've found . . . and I've done a LOT of searching!

Cindyxues, I'd love to see some pics of your yellow rooms and accents. From the sounds of it here, we seem to have a nice group of yellow lovers.

Teacats, thanks you! Coming from you, with your beautiful home (I've know Teacats for a long time over on another decorating site), that's a huge compliment :~)
lynninnewmexico
Original Author
15 years ago
Since I can't find a manufacturer's name on it (I don't want to try and lift it ot look under the base), I went and took a couple of close-ups of it for you. Perhaps someone here will recognize it and be able to tell you where you can get one. Since the last pic, I've moved it from the family room into our living room, to the right of the fireplace in there. It makes for a nice cozy reading area with great views out three different windows now.
Lynn
rucnmom
15 years ago
lynninnewmexico -- would you please share the manufacturer & pattern of the fabric? TIA

I've got yellow fever too!
redbazel
15 years ago
Lynn, things look absolutely stunning and the yellow touches you've added really brighten and warm. That lamp is so pretty, I'm glad you added the closeup.

Red
ftell001
15 years ago
The exterior of my house is yellow..the little house is yellow..the kitchen is yellow and the LR will soon be yellow! I love YELLOW!
Boopadaboo
15 years ago
Lynn your new finds are fabulous. I just love talavera. I have to get me some. :)Lovely rooms.
brutuses
15 years ago
I love the yellow accents. You're doing great with this new bug!! LOL
bonniee818
15 years ago
Love your yellow,Lynn! You are certainly brightening everything & it all looks fantastic........never too much of a good thing :).......Bonnie
deborahnj
15 years ago
Lynn, thank you!! I do love your home and I always have yellow fever.
patricianat
15 years ago
Time to move to the bedroom. These linens are linen and they come in yellow. Take an aspirin and lie down on these wonderful yellow sheets, or better yet, have a glass of wine and retire to the cool feel of linen in yellow.
{{!gwi}}
monicakm_gw
15 years ago
thank you Lynn! I could SO see that lamp in our den. It's very nice and looks great in your home :)
MOnica

I Think I've Contracted Yellow (Decorating) Fever!!! (pics)

parma42

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I Think I've Contracted Yellow (Decorating) Fever!!! (pics)

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