Wednesday, March 24, 2010

The Color of Happy







Did you figure it out? Of course you did.
Yellow is the color of happy.
I'm fairly certain that it is impossible to be unhappy in a room that includes a little, or even a lot of, yellow.

I'm not talking about just any yellow though. In springtime, the most cheerful yellows, the yellows we've waited for all winter, are those that come in the form of rubber rain boots and baby chicks. Fresh, lemony desserts. The warming sun. Easter eggs and daisies. Butterflies, dandelions and daffodils.


Daffodil yellow is the color in focus here because the daffodil is the birth flower for the month of March. How lucky you are, if you're born in March, to have this eternally cheerful flower as your own. Symbolically, the daffodil represents rebirth and new beginnings. Ancient lore throughout the world recognizes the daffodil as a sign of winter’s end and as a lucky emblem of future prosperity. And while their botanic name is narcissus, daffodils are sometimes also called jonquils, and in England, because of their long association with Lent, they’re known as the “Lent Lily.” In Wales, it is said that if you are fortunate enough to spy the first daffodil of the season, your next twelve months will be filled with wealth. Chinese legend tells that if a daffodil bulb is forced to bloom during the New Year, it will bring good luck to your home.


The daffodil is also the traditional flower of 10th wedding anniversaries. And while a gift of daffodils is said to ensure happiness, you should always remember to present daffodils in a bunch – the same legends that have the bright flowers bringing good fortune and happiness warn that when given as a single bloom, a daffodil can foretell misfortune. Yet another fact contrary to the flower's optimistic disposition is that the daffodil can be poisonous if eaten. In medieval times, there was a belief that if you looked at a daffodil and it drooped, it was an omen of death. Thank goodness these are only myths! The truth of the daffodil is that of a dependable, easy-care garden flower, a magical sight when naturalized in the wild, and a perennial favorite for its long life, colorful blooms and sweet fragrance.


A yellow with the exuberance of the daffodil can be tricky to decorate with. As you can see in the two homes I've featured here, liberal doses of white and pale neutrals keep the yellow from overwhelming. And in both homes, black adds a sophisticated counterpoint to a crayon-bright color that could appear juvenile if not reined in. On the other hand, notice too how even the smallest accent of this bold yellow cheers and warms a space that might feel cold or somber without it. Yellow is the color of happy. Of smiley faces and springtime. Of optimism and sunshine. Daffodils, joyful surprise that they are each spring, will fade. Using their color in your home keeps them with you every day, in every season.













Click here to visit the New Hampshire farmhouse (top images) or here to learn more about the North Carolina bungalow (bottom), both featured on countryliving.com. Gorgeous photos by Lucas Allen and Keith Scott Morton respectively. Daffodil facts from teleflora.com and birthflowersguide.com

23 comments:

Jennifer, Decorum said...

You're right Tracy, impossible to be unhappy when yellow is around!

My daughter started getting interested in colour when she was 2 years old (wonder where that came from?) and she would tell anyone who would listen that "Mummy's favourite colour is yellow." She was right. I love yellow, always have and always will.

Having said that, I do not have any in my house and only this summer introduced it to my wardrobe. But it is such a happy, fun colour.

Anonymous said...

What a great post - I loved all the info on daffodils. They are one of my most favorite flowers.
I love yellow even though I've painted over all my yellow walls the past couple of months, I always find a way to sneak a little in my rooms. It really does make you feel happy when you have it in your home ~
Sarah

Traci Giles said...

I'm loving yellow right now, too! I recently decided that my living room wants to live a more sunny and yellow existence. I brought in some new artwork and suddenly I find myself searching for yellow accents to compliment, and I've been buying Trader Joes daffodils in bulk every week! The very first image of the door/stairs/dog is just beautiful and makes me wistful for my house in NY! It wasn't yellow (but it might have been if I'd seen this!) but similar in structure. Thank you for the gorgeous images and inspiration!

Erica Cook said...

Lovely post! I just did a bit on yellow too... come play and check it out. :) Loving your blog.

http://moth-design.blogspot.com/

the gardener's cottage said...

Hi Tracy,

You are so right about yellow. It is just so happy. I think that's what I loved so much about the Viceroy. The bright shots of yellow just made you happy. Contrast that with the ski resort we just stayed in. Beige, beige and more beige. I could hardly bring myself to take any pics. This is why environment is so important to me and my kind!

~janet

p.s. Seagrass Interiors did a post on yellow too. It must be spring!

Kathysue said...

Hi Tracey, Love yellow even the outside of my house is yellow. A very buttery yellow is the color I can live in but when it comes to flowers a bouquet is nothing but a handful of happiness. Great post, loved all teh images, Happy Thursday,Kathysue

Unknown said...

That was so great! Now I want to go paint a wall bright yellow and put Good Morning Sunshine on it, that was the best. Will settle for a big basketful of daffodils in the meantime.

Tammy@InStitches said...

I was noticing daffodils outside today ! This post made me love my yellow kitchen even more.

Silvia C said...

Hi Tracy darling, I'm also doing a week of yellow on my blog. I think yellow at this time of the year, after a few months of winter grays and browns, is the perfect way state that we are ready to add lots of sunshine into our lives. I love the pics. Yay for yellow!
Silvia

Content in a Cottage said...

Lovely yellow post. All of those photos definitely made me happy. Rosemary

ashlina {the decorista} said...

oh wow. thanks first of all for entering my giveaway. and secondly for the uber sweet sweet comments...
i will be following you now too...

:)

Averill said...

This is the perfect kind of yellow IMHO...not banana yellow, not school bus yellow, not baby yellow...just right!

My Galveston Cottage said...

Love this post! Is it because a I like daffodil yellow or the fact I'm a March babe?! ok, one of these beautiful photos was lacking the yellow. And it would have been gorgeous (smile)! I guess I need to include this bloom in my garden, since I just discovered that it's my birth flower. cheers!

My Galveston Cottage said...

Love this post! Is it because a I like daffodil yellow or the fact I'm a March babe?! ok, one of these beautiful photos was lacking the yellow. And it would have been gorgeous (smile)! I guess I need to include this bloom in my garden, since I just discovered that it's my birth flower. cheers!

Unknown said...

That was a stunning post - what a beautiful collection of images! I happened upon your blog while looking for "blue" and I'm so glad it did, I ended up at a 2009 post, that I am borrowing a picture from :) Thank you + I look forward to following! x

Carrie @ Cottage Cozy said...

I did a yellow post not too long ago...I love YELLOW!

Today was my first time visiting your blog...it is lovely. I am having A "Blue Monday" giveaway at my blog...perhaps you might like to pop over and take a look? Have a great Thursday!

Stay Cozy, Carrie

Linda@ Lime in the Coconut said...

It WAS hard not to smile scrolling down through those pics! And I loved all the info on daffodils...think I need to find me some!

Pauline Wiles said...

I like those rooms best where yellow is playing a supporting rather than starring role. I just love that last one with the bike!
Daffodils are such a welcome sight in spring; lucky or not, a bunch is definitely best!

Eighty-Eight Ideas said...

Ok! Move me in!! These spaces are amazing!! Thanks for Inspiring!! Best, Connie

Screaming Meme said...

I LOVE the yellow bllack and white! So pretty and FUN! Thank you for brightening my da with this great post...Now off to fiqure out how to tell my hubby that I want to paint again...lol Hi, I'm Meme from Screaming Meme...It is so nice to stumble onto your blog...If you ever get the chance stop in and say hi! Meme

www.thescreamingmeme.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

The color of happy! A perfect description of yellow. :-) I hadn't seen some of these images before either, so it was great inspiration. Hope you had a good weekend...

Renae said...

There are daffodils blooming all around my neighborhood, sadly none in my yard yet. I do love the yellow of sunflowers and usually keep them in the house as long as the season is long!
xo

Maria Killam said...

Love these happy rooms! Great post Tracy!