Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Infusing Yellow in Your Color Scheme and Interior Design by Amanda Nisbet

Yellow is the color of some of my favorite things including sunshine, lemons and bumblebees. New York-based interior designer and one of my personal favorites, Amanda Nisbet knows how to design a space with the color yellow. In some instances she uses this cheerful hue as the primary color and other times as an accent. Following Nisbet's work as a guide, here are some ideas on how you can infuse yellow into your space's color palette.

In this elegant sunny living room, Nisbet keeps the color scheme warm - yellows, neutrals and accents of red. She selects neutral tans and browns for the upholstered furniture and natural woven rug.

Nisbet selects a soft canary yellow like Farrow & Ball's Dayroom Yellow for room's walls. She coordinates the window floor-length draperies to match.

Nisbet also bring the color palette together in throw pillows and accessories. This Citrus Swirl Throw Pillow from Pieces would do the trick.

In this stunning living space Nisbet pairs golden yellow with neutrals and accents of teal and melon. Yum! Various shades of yellow are picked up in the room's walls, console table, throw pillows, draperies and accessories.

Nisbet frames the French doors beautifully in floor length buttercup draperies. To achieve this look, consider a fabric like Peter Fasano's Vallelunga in Dijion to add a splash of color and interest to your windows.

Picking up additional citrus hues, the sweet bench behind the sofa is upholstered in Amanda Nisbet's own fabric collection available through Holland & Sherry. The Chip 2 pattern in Tutti Fruitti would also look fabulous on an armchair!


A linen Lemon Rope Throw Pillow available at Pieces in a neutral shade armchair would mimic Nisbet's inspirational look nicely.

Nisbet creates an upbeat modern white and raspberry girl's bedroom with bright accents in citron yellow, turquoise and orange. It's darling. Notice how she consciously places bits of yellow throughout the room, but not next to each other.

To achieve this look, simply add splashes of bright yellow and repeat it in small accessories once or twice. A Garden Stool would pull in the yellow accent color beautifully while being multifunctional - use it as a chair or table.


Pair the garden stool with accessories like this handmade, glazed ceramic Double Yellow Parrots to repeat the accent color. These darling feathered friends would look fabulous atop a contrasting side table, but would get lost if near or on the garden stool in the same hue.

In this chic contemporary living area, Nisbet pairs neutral walls and upholstered furniture with black and yellow accents. She selects dramatic golden floor length drapery - similar to Durlee's Sungold fabric below. Nisbet repeats the color in an armchair on the opposite side of the room and lamp shades placed throughout.



An upholstered chair is always a great place to add an accent color.

This romantic tufted Earl Chaise in citrus by Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams would be a great choice.

Like in the Nisbet living room example, adding a table lamp like this Yellow Faux Bamboo Lamp is a perfect way to pull yellow accents to your room.

In this living room, Nisbet combines yellow with deep reds and neutrals to create a warm color palette. She has the wall painted a bright yellow while placing an area rug in a more subdued, muted tone. In addition, Nisbet splashes yellow accents in the throw pillows and ottoman.

This exquisite silk and wool Marigold Tulip Rug by Galbraith & Paul would be a lovely way to pull in a muted yellow tone into your room.

Nisbet creates a sunny breakfast nook by painting the walls and upholstering the bench and chairs in citron yellow. Love those lucite chairs!


Instead of paint, wallpaper is another option for adding color to your room's wall. I love this sweet Bumble Bee Wallpaper from Farrow & Ball and think it would look great in a breakfast nook.

Which of the cheeful rooms designed by Amanda Nisbet is your favorite?

*images from Amanda Nisbet, Pieces, Tonic Home, Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams, Duralee, Decorati

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