LA VIE EN JAUNE: Ideas and Inspiration for Incorporating Yellow into Your Interior Design

Océane Raux

Dec 2, 20242 min read

Intégrer la couleur jaune dans votre intérieur

from left to right; personal image via Océane Raux, fabrics Ipala from Schumacher, image via lonny.com, interior design by Lonika Chande lonikachande.com, floral arrangement Castor Fleuriste via Instagram : @castorfleuriste, colour palette by Jana Bouc janabouc.com, Bistro chair from Maison Drucker maisonlouisdrucker.com

Three years ago, I moved into a ground-floor apartment in a Victorian house in Wimbledon, London. It was a charming, cosy home adorned with ceiling mouldings and original wooden floors. But what caught my attention immediately upon entering was the corridor—a perfect invitation to bring the colour yellow into my daily life.

The colour of the walls reminded me of the interiors of Provençal houses in the 1990s. Thanks to the leftover paint cans abandoned in the cupboard by the previous owners, I deduced it was Farrow & Ball’s Babouche yellow—a warm, spicy curry-like yellow that I didn’t have the heart to repaint. Over the weeks, I learned to appreciate its ever-changing hues, influenced by the seasons, light, and weather.

In the mornings, natural light would strike these yellow walls, creating a joyful and vibrant atmosphere—a true mood booster akin to a tall glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. In the evenings (with night falling as early as 3:30 pm in England), Babouche’s warm undertones emerged, wrapping the corridor in the embrace of a giant silk cocoon—a striking contrast to the dreary greys of the city known as "The Big Smoke."

Like Alice chasing the White Rabbit, I found myself diving into a wonderland—a parallel world to the millennial grey interiors so ubiquitous today. This yellow, far more than mere paint, became a daily escape, a gateway to another dimension.

from left to roght; Casa Josephine casajosephine.com , Archer Humphryes archerhumpryes.com,

Retrouvius Design Studio retrouvius.com

Wallpaper, tiling, or yellow paint on the walls will bring a warm and welcoming atmosphere to your room.

For wall coverings, opt for organic materials that are often timeless; their colours are softer, and their finishes are more textured.

Instead of acrylic paint, consider using a natural coating or finish, such as lime paint from Bauwerk (1) or this honey-yellow Sisal wallpaper from Wallpaper from the 70s. (2)

In a bathroom or even for a kitchen backsplash, choose artisanal tiles like Moroccan Zellige. (3)

from left to right; Lonika Chande lonikachande.com , Casa Josephine casajosephine.com

If you're not ready to fully commit and repaint your room from floor to ceiling, a few yellow accents such as cushions, curtains, rugs, and other decorative accessories can add a touch of vibrancy to a more neutral space.

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