In Calgary, where the light is clear and seemingly constant (we have the greatest number of sunny days in all of Canada according to our government climate peeps), yellow can really be pushed to its limits—or at least those of the boldest clients. Whether you opt for ochre or crank it to chromium, yellow offers a surprising range of options that covers the spectrum from feminine tints to masculine shades. Delicate, buttery yellows thrive in more traditional environments while stronger, clearer hues bring character and warmth to the hardest-edged modern schemes.
Although many will shy away from marrying black with yellow for fear of creating the wrong kind of buzz, this combo can be quite dazzling if deftly handled. Kelly Wearstler featured this vivacious pairing (tempered with a bit of fresh white) to great effect in her 2004 book Modern Glamour, showcasing showstopper spaces in both the Viceroy Hotel and Estrella resort.
As I mentioned when we were “in the red”, primaries are problematic for me when they appear too clean and juvenile. Yellow, in my opinion, succeeds most in a primary scheme when it gets down and dirty with equally gritty reds and blues. Pulled from what I call a “nicotine palette”, red, yellow and blue in concert are at their most beautiful and sophisticated when touched with a certain ‘dinginess’. It’s a shady trio that would look fantastic with either deep walnut tones or the subtle visual texture of cerused oak—and gold leaf sings in the midst. This discussion, however, is not some much about recipes as it is ingredients, so let’s press on…
If you’re looking to fly solo with yellow at the quieter end
of the scale, try C2’s Bees Knees, Farrow & Ball’s Gervase Yellow or
Benjamin Moore’s Hawthorne Yellow and Soleil. A decent big box selection in
this realm would be Opal Cream from Behr. These work particularly well in a
country scheme or, as mentioned, more traditional applications.
For amped-up impact, consider the exuberance of Benjamin
Moore’s Sun-Kissed Yellow, Farrow & Ball’s Babouche or C2’s Daffodil. Those
with a taste for the tart may be enticed by Behr’s Sun Ray, available for mere
pennies a serving through Home Depot. These will all hold their own against
stronger colours but still behave themselves alongside quieter neutrals if so
requested.
If ochre is more your mood, the deeper drama of C2’s Kazoo
and Curry, Benjamin Moore’s Dijon or Farrow & Ball’s Sudbury Yellow might
just do the trick. Here, an acceptable big box pinch-hitter would be Martha
Stewart’s’ Cornucopia. These robust, earthy hues lend themselves to serious
traditionalism, masculine interiors or north-facing rooms that offer even,
muted light but need a bit of help in the shine department.
With yellow you’ll find the end result much cheerier and
more expansive than anything in the realm of beige. The colour of rain slickers,
ducklings, happy face stickers and lemonade, this hue is the Up with People of
the colour world; a non-prescription anti-depressant and a chipper addition to
any circumstance. Yellow: it’s not just for cowards anymore…
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