Yellow says a lot about your home.It says you are chirpy,perhaps,or that you like bananas.It says you are as bright as a daffodil and as busy as a bee.But,then,if you get it wrong,it also says'lurid'70s-era sex dungeon'.
Fortunate,then,that those interior design gurus over at Real Simple Magazine have come up with some ingenious and foolproof ways to introduce a splash of summery yellow into your home.And it all starts,according to staff writer Meryl Levin,with figuring out exactly what shade of yellow you are dealing with.
"Depending on the amount of red or blue it contains,yellow can have different personalities,"she says."Yellows with a red undertone are warm and welcoming,while yellows with a hint of blue can come off as cold."
So,rules is rules:those warm,red-based shades of yellow can make an impact on a feature wall or as a dominant theme in a large room,while those colder,blue-based yellows should be reserved for accessories and accents.
And yellow isn't for every room,as Levin notes."[Keep]bright yellows out of bedrooms and offices,because they can disrupt sleep and concentration,"she says."Pale,buttery yellows can work just about anywhere."
One place those pale buttery yellows can work is in the bathroom-a toned-down shade paired with crisp white tiles,sinks and that thing you stand on when you're in the shower can combine for a cheery start to your morning,but getting the lighting right is vital.The answer is two fold:small windows and energy-efficient lighting.
"Bathrooms are a logical space for small windows,"says architect and small window advocate John Hill."They allow privacy while still bringing in natural light.High windows allow a view outside,but a soak in the tub is free of prying eyes."
But man cannot bathe on small windows alone.When the sun goes down-or you need some solid illumination to pluck your eyebrows by-bathroom ceiling spotlights are just the thing to install.
