I used Hawthorne many years ago. It has been around forever. I had them cut it with 50 percent extra white. I don't think I could live in it otherwise.

I think your plan to get a sample is good, but if you have a Sherwin Wm.s nearby, you might want to pop for their $5 test quarts instead. They allow you enough paint to pour it into a roller tray and roll a sample on your wall. With yellow, you need to keep in mind that the color will intensify after it's painted on all 4 walls, so you need to go a shade tanner than you might want on the finished product. If you choose something very yellow, your room will be intensely yellow when it's done.
I've not seen the BM Straw in person but have read where several have used it and liked it a lot. The Hawthorne I know nothing about. Have you checked the nice thread in the Gallery on yellows and golds?

Red

I have BM Hawthorne Yellow in my DR - everyone comments on how cheery it is without being electric. Definitely reminds me of buttercups. However, when we repaint I might cut it with white as well - although maybe not s much as 50%.

I have BM hawthorne Yellow in my bedroom...it's a bit brighter than the sample pot, but I love it. Definitely not too bright though at all. I have white woodwork and hardwood oak floors. The room is very bright and has lots of light though. In our family room, which is not as bright a room, we used BM Desert Tan. This color is exactly like a chamois color. Two different yellows, two different rooms, and I love them both.

Behr Butter Cookie is the perfect butter yellow. We have it in our 2nd bath (sorry, no pics) and it's a great colour. it's fairly light on the chip, but I find that yellows (and blues) can become overwhelming once they are on the walls. This one is just right - yellow enough and cheery without being too strong. I wouldn't recommend using the Behr paint though, I'd have it matched in something else.

I had Straw in a previous home. It is an extremely strong, warm color. In that house, it was almost a little lemony - I probably wouldn't use it again. What about BM Golden Straw?

I have BM Dijon in my family room and I love it. It looks like a rich, goldish color. It definitely is not for the color shy.

I second what poster "redbazel" said about the $5.00 SW sample pots. They are great and SW can color match any color for you.

HTH....

Have you looked at the thread in the Gallery?

Here is a link that might be useful: Not too Lemon, Not too Gold

We used BM Windham Cream in our bedroom. It is not too yellow-and almost morphs to a sandy color in the right light or with the right accents. I think it is on the same strip as Hawthorn Yellow. You won't be screamingly yellow with this and in our house, it still feels very warm and sunny.