Ask Kyle: Color Inside Color

I got a very quick question from Susie, who asked, what’s your favorite yellow paint color? Usually, when selecting the Ask Kyle question of the month I try to choose something more complicated, but I think it’s a very relatable question. First off, I think picking a tone of color is the hardest thing.

Kyle recommends using yellow as an accent color without marrying yourself to it on the wall. Photo via Patricia Gray.

Once you decide on “blue” or “purple” then opening the paint book and seeing just how many varieties there are can be a bit overwhelming. If you already have a fabric or wallpaper picked out then the choice becomes a lot easier as it can be your guiding point. I would recommend that to everyone when doing a room. Pick your fabrics and patterns FIRST. Paint color is such an easy thing to have matched, but picking your paint color and then trying to find a fabric that has that certain paint color in the design is extremely difficult and truly corners you.

Kate Spade's Manhattan bedroom uses small "pops" of yellow to make a bold statement on an otherwise neutral palette.

Regarding yellow specifically, I think that any tone (except for neon) can be a good base for a chic room. I personally don’t use it very often as I tend to like cooler tone colors, however, I am a big fan of mustard as long as it stays away from having too much gold in it and dating itself to the 70’s. Mustard and gray has become a very big trend in the last year so it just goes to show that old colors become new again and design truly is cyclical.

A framed swatch of wallpaper fills a wall without painting it, which is great for renters. Photo via Domino.

If you are interested in a softer shade of yellow, I would stay away from the yellows with orange in them as they tend to be less sophisticated. A butter yellow is a bit overdone as a neutral these days and grays and taupes have really taken the place of that as a modern base for a room. Yellow can really be a sunny color -don’t get me wrong- and the classic combination of yellow, white, and blue is still relevant, but my advice would be to keep it as an accent in the accessories and not marry yourself to it on the walls. Along with gray it makes a great compliment to berry and deep purple and as long as you introduce other complimenting colors into the room it won’t feel like a sports team’s theme or kids room gone awry!


[Read more about Kyle's extensive design background; Meet Kyle Schuneman. Kyle is The Love List's resident designer, Email Kyle with your design questions .You can visit Kyle's website at KyleSchuneman.com]