Since the dawn of this blog there is one question I have been asked more than any other. And I rarely answer it. Why you ask? Well, for one, I’m shocked that anyone actually wants to know. And, secondly, the answer is just a tad complicated.
So do you want to know just what is the number one question I’m asked here At the Picket Fence?
What is the name of the yellow paint on your walls?
Now, you may be scratching your head and wondering why on earth I wouldn’t answer that question. I mean, it’s so simple, right? Well, yes and no.
You see, and I’m going to get really, super duper honest with you here, when I edit my photos before putting them on the blog it always alters the shade of yellow just a bit. I do a lot of lightening and brightening. And that makes the wall color softer than I think it actually looks in person.
So, I’ve always hesitated to tell the color because I think that what you are seeing on your screen is actually somewhat different from what I see in real life. And I never want to be misleading.
But, it’s time. Time for me to answer the question once and for all. You ready? I realize I’m making this more dramatic than it needs to be but just go with it, ok? 😉
The color on the walls is called ‘Dusty Yellow’ by Olympic Paints.
I continue to just be so surprised that people love the yellow so much that they would write to ask me about it. Because it seems like I’m surrounded on social media by rooms that are almost exclusively white or grey or greige (grey/beige).
Yellow definitely doesn’t seem to be the ‘in’ color these days.
And yet, as I’ve said many times here before, the most important thing when it comes to decorating your home is that it is YOURS. So if you love yellow more than you love white or grey or greige then you should go for it!
For all of these years, the yellow has made me very happy. We Oregonians need ways to trick ourselves into thinking we’re seeing sunshine throughout the year and there is no doubt that it helps to have yellow walls.
If I were picking out yellow paint now I would definitely go a shade lighter than the ‘Dusty Yellow’ so keep that in mind if you decide to use that color.
And don’t be surprised if you come visit me here at the Fence one day in the near future and I’ve painted the walls a different color. After 8 years of living in this house they are needing a bit of freshening up and that will be the perfect opportunity to maybe go in a different direction.
But I will always have a soft spot in my heart for these yellow walls. They’ve served as a wonderful, sunny backdrop for so much life being lived in our home.
“How wonderful yellow is. It stands for the sun.” (Vincent Van Gogh)
Thanks so much for meeting me and my yellow walls at the Fence today,
Duck Bill from Sherwin Willams looks like this color.
love yellow! it’s my happy color and has lived with me many years to brighten my day. I’m thinking I may spread the sunshine a tad bit farther into the darker areas of my home. Thanks for the reminder! Life always needs a little brightening…and tricking it with paint is perfect!
I always say if you get mugged you don’t want me to be the witness and this proves it. I am so busy looking at your “stuff’ or reading, I never noticed your walls. It is a lovely color, be interesting to see if I notice a new one..
Yellow is my absolute most favorite color of all time, as far back as I can remember! My house is yellow (old farmhouse), and my dining room and hall are yellow. <3
Thanks for this post Vanessa….I have “yellow walls”….Sherwin Williams Blonde to be exact. The color changes during the day and different shades from one wall to the next. They were painted this color when we built the house 11 years ago. Both walls and ceilings…to change the color, it would be about $4,000 plus, as our ceilings are around 20 feet tall and scaffolding is required. So I embrace them for their cheerful color…I love your walls…I can see how they make you feel as if you were in the sunshine throughout the day!
Your gorgeous house wears it well, my friend! Yellow really is such a happy color and a beautiful backdrop to your fabulous furniture, vignettes and artwork. Hmmm, wonder what color you might go with next time?
Yellow has always been a favorite color for me and a true mood lifter! I love your yellow!
I love the right shade of yellow. In fact, the whole main living area in our home is painted a soft yellow – Sunwashed Linen. This is the third house we have painted this color so we must love it! Lol
Just a curious question I have wondered for awhile…I have been following your lovely blog for a number of years. Several years ago your sister and you seemed to take turns back and forth writing the weekly blog but now only see your writings (which are wonderful!). Just wondering if your sister has decided not to blog any longer, although we still see her photo her. Perhaps she is participating in another way?
I know… white & gray seem to be the colors du jour, but I just can’t. I have always been drawn to yellow rooms. I seem to pin them all the time. The important thing with yellow is getting the JUST right. I, personally, am not a fan of lemon yellow or mustard yellow. I tend to like a “butter” color. What I have found is that I tend to also like whites with yellow undertones, like Benjamin Moore Antique White – which tends to look like a butter color when it’s up. Overall, it is important for a person to have a home that reflects their own personal style. For me, that means YELLOW all the way!
Best & Bisous,
Michelle from Simply Santa Barbara
Thank you so much Michelle! And when my husband and I were dating we would take little day trips into Santa Barbara (I lived in Camarillo at the time). What a beautiful place to call home!
So delighted to see a blog that features color. I subscribe to many blogs and I have selected them because their design aesthetic attracted me. Imagine my horror as I have watched one after the other succumb to the current trend to decorate in boring neutrals. They are losing their personal style in a sea of white, gray and griege and have begun to all look alike – depressingly bland! You can see by the responses to your post that there are many out there who still love color – especially yellow. Keep up the great work.
Thank you so much for your kind and encouraging words Christine!
Yellow is my favorite color so of course I love it! Love those found glass bottles, too.
Thanks so much Lisa!
Well I think you’ve been asked so much because it looks so good in your home. I have “wine country colors” in my home but chose a golden butter yellow to go with my other colors. It too changes depth and brightness during the day. But I love it
I love wine country colors Barbara!! Thanks so much for coming by. 🙂
I just found this blog and I love yellow walls! My room was a Tuscan yellow in high school and every time I walk back into that room it makes me so happy. May I ask what is the flowering plant that is shown in this post? So beautiful!