Decorating a bright yellow room

[mumkimum]

So, when dh & I decided to paint the living room, he was really pushing for something bright like a yellow. Right now the paint is going up and I'm starting to go "what was I thinking, going with his choice of yellow, I don't think I like yellow. . .?".

The subtle blue-grey curtains I used to have up I doubt will go with this color anymore - but that's okay, I just remembered I've got some natural brown linen curtains around. I can probably still work something out with the old white linen tablecloth I've used for the other window and add some brown linen. We've got a large black-brown type color bookcase and dark brown leather sofa in there. There's also a rug that multicolor striped (some blue, mostly reds, gold, etc. More earthy-rocky tones I suppose). I had a pale blue cabinet/sideboard in there too, but I think I can switch it with a white one.

Any ideas? I'm thinking if I up the browns and whites in there, it'll help pull stuff together. I'm also wondering about artwork - cause I've really wanted to frame some things to hang and I'm worried they'll get completely lost against the color.

[dancebaraka]

wow this is the kind of thing that would send me right over the edge with my husband, poor guy lol
you sound so calm and centered!

One thing that we just did (I love the effect) is use the trim color paint we already had leftover, lighten it with some white, and use a stencil we made to paint some large circles w/ coi fish swimming in them. We created a simple stencil based & took the design from a piece of pottery we have. I am wondering if you could take that yellow, darken or lighten it with some other paint you have, and go for a similar large stencil look. I dunno if you modern design, but it does give that effect quite well. If my bootie wasn't planted here on the sofa then I'd take a pic

~or~ b/c I know you like to do craft swaps: Mamatolea does awesome wall decals. We've really loved ours & there's not a lot of committment to a look b/c it comes right off! Here's an idea from etsy.
I bet those leaves would look cool in 2 tones of brown or neutral to match your curtains...

[JD5351]

In my old house, I had my bedroom painted bright yellow..I decorated with light greens and eggshell colors, and hung bamboo blinds..Made it look kinda "beachy cottage". It actually looked pretty nice.

[mumkimum]

I have thought about some kind of additional painted design, in white or something else that'd coordinate well. May have to pour through some books and magazines for some thoughts on that. . .
I've got some bright green things, I'll have to see how those look once it's all done, maybe think about some more.

Maybe some major overmatting for the photos I was thinking of finally putting up. Gah - we've had some really annoying problems with getting this done anyway I'm trying not to make the big deal about the color, I'm almost wishing I just took it and did it myself but I know I'd be exhausted and everything would be in chaos for weeks (being pregnant and with the minimal help dh has been lately).

It's looking orangey right now, which I'm a little happier with I think. But I also went out for donughts, so that could be helping my spirits too.

[lach]

My parents have a bright yellow kitchen, with white trim and white cabinets and bright red accents. It really looks amazing. You'd think that the red and yellow would clash, but it looks like it's out of a magazine.

[Liberty5_3000]

My livingroom is yellow and I love it. It is yellow like a very rich butter. In our last home we had white trim with it. I used the exact same color in our new house with lots of dark woodwork and it still looks nice, in my opinion. I have brown/light brown/tan (they are a solid color, I just don't know how best to describe it) curtains, a sage green couch, and a recliner with browns, rusty oranges and yellows in it. On my walls I have a variety of pictures and things my parents got in China and they are all some combination of black, white, and red (so kind of like the last poster said, bright red accents look great in the yellow room). I love my livingroom, maybe someone who is really good at decorating wouldn't since it isn't terribly consistent amongst other reasons, but I do! It is my favorite room in our house.

[Yvaine Undomiel]

Ooooh. I would absolutely LOVE a yellow living room. It just evokes happiness and health.

Unfortunately, we don't paint.

[hillymum]

We painted our family room a bright yellow. I haven't done so yet, but I am going to get some black iron scrollwork on the walls . Dark colours look really good on the walls and I can get away with greens, reds or more earthy coloured accessories.

[dancebaraka]

Originally Posted by mumkimum

But I also went out for donughts, so that could be helping my spirits too.

i had doughnuts this a.m. too & it certainly was uplifting for me!

let us know how it turns out- deeper yellow-orange sounds lovely