All This Rain and I Need a Splash of....Yellow

It has rained for three days straight with a forecast of more to come. All this gray weather makes me crave the sunshine,--why don't I bring it indoors? Yellow is such a warm and welcoming color. It took me a while to get around to decorating with it, because I don't wear it (funny how that works). But indoors, it's great. Strong yellows make a splashy accent. Many designers seem to agree..

Domino Magazine (now located here),  photo credit: Melanie Acevedo

First up is J.Crew exec Jenna Lyons's townhouse, where a bright yellow couch brings life to elegant neutrals. (Did you know the Domino archive can now be found on the website for Bride Magazine?)

Domino Magazine, PHOTOGRAPH:DITTE ISAGER

Next up, another room from the Domino archives.  Just a small bright yellow vase really pops against the white, bright pinks and dark floors, something Markham Roberts clearly realizes as well.

Courtesy of Markham Roberts, Inc.

Mary McDonald: Interiors: The Allure of Style, photo: Robert Tractenberg

And designer Mary McDonald, the queen of more, seems to love bright yellow with black and white. Below, she uses several bright yellow vases to enliven an entry hall.

Mary McDonald: Interiors: The Allure of Style, photo: Miguel Flores-Vianna

With all this in mind, I set off to see what bits of sunshine were available at auction. I immediately found these two twentieth century yellow carved Peking vases, very similar to the ones above, at Cowan's Auctions in Ohio, 9", with an estimate of $500-700, auction date May 21st.

Yellow Peking vases, Cowan's Auctions

The same auction house also has this pretty Chinese garden seat with dragons, estimate $400-$600. Garden seats have become ubiquitous, but this one really stands out.

Cowan's Auctions, Chinese Garden Seat

For those with more modern tastes, this latticino Murano glass bowl, offered by Pembrooke Auctions of Kansas City on May 21st with an estimate of $250 to 350, is both beautiful and functional.

Murano glass bowl, courtesy of Pembrooke Auctions

If all of this is too refined, how about this adorable rustic painted yellow bucket being auctioned off on June 4th the Conestoga Auction House in Pennsylvania? Estimate $100-200. (With all these estimates, keep in mind you might snag the item for much, much less.) It's perfect for pens, pencils and desk supplies!

yellow bucket, courtesy of Conestoga Auction Company

Who can resist Rookwood pottery, especially in the form of this pretty little vase? Humer & Nolan, out of Ohio, have an estimate on it of $120-170, and are auctioning it off on June 5th.

Rookwood vase, courtesy of Humer & Nolan

And finally, let's finish where we started, with a gorgeous bright Peking glass vase, circa 1900, being offered by Auction Gallery of the Palm Beaches, on May 24th, estimate, $400-600.

Yellow Peking glass vase, courtesy of Auction Gallery of the Palm Beaches

Wow, I feel better (even though it's still gray, gray, gray out). Hope you enjoy the splash of sun.