The reinvention of yellow

Here are some fresh ideas and products to incorporate pops of yellow — the season’s must-have color — throughout your home.

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When John and Sherry Petersik of the blog Young House Love decided to paint their front door yellow, they went through weeks of testing and negotiating until they settled on Full Sun by Valspar’s collection for Eddie Bauer Home. These days, Sherry loves the bright, intense yellow so much she calls it "sunshine in a can."

Courtesy of John and Sherry Petersik /

The Petersiks primed and painted a hand-me-down highchair from Sherry's mother when their daughter Clara was born. They used Sun Yellow by Rustoleom, one of Sherry's favorite colors.

Courtesy of John and Sherry Petersik

Their laundry room was dark and gloomy and had only one window, which overlooked a carport. To spice things up, they painted it Sesame by Benjamin Moore, a playful lemon-lime. Sherry calls it "a soft avocado yellow with a little splash of green."

Courtesy of John and Sherry Petersik

The couple thought their bedroom needed a punch of color that deviated from the blue, green and teal theme. They chose two yellow ginko-leaf shams by Dermond Peterson from a shop in Old Town Alexandria that did the trick.

Courtesy of John and Sherry Petersik

The Petersiks found these thrift-store bookends and freshened up with Sun Yellow spray paint by Rustoleum. They stenciled the wall using two shades of gray paint and a pop of Sesame by Benjamin Moore.

Courtesy of John and Sherry Petersik

Bethesda designer Kelley Proxmire recently decorated this home in Virginia. She painted the inside of these bookcases Farrow and Ball's Citron, one of her favorite colors, and matched it with the upholstery of the yellow accent chairs. She continued the color scheme with accessories including a small yellow bucket, the thin yellow border along the sofa's skirt and a metal vase of yellow tulips on the coffee table.

Angie Seckinger

Proxmire's Bethesda home has touches of Farrow and Ball's Citron, painted inside of bookcases. Proxmire brought in subtle yellow accents via the upholstery, accessories and even a faintly patterned yellow-and-cream rug for a consistent look that’s not overwhelming.

Angie Seckinger

The magic of this dining room in Northwest Washington is in the details: Designer Mary Douglas Drysdale, who works in the District, incorporated yellow accents including candles, flowers and lemons scattered on the table and mantel.

Mary Douglas Drysdale

Drysdale also designed this living room. She chose a buttery yellow color for the window treatments, ceiling paneling and paint, creating a sunny, traditional look.

Mary Douglas Drysdale

Drysdale mixes her own paints when she works on clients' rooms. Here, she paired a yellow chair and secretary with a gingham curtain at a home off Foxhall Road NW.

Mary Douglas Drysdale

Bring in a hint of sunshine with a honeybee-inspired table lamp. Scout Citronella porcelain lamp ($168, www.bronsondesign.com).

Bronson Design Studio

This gold-hued Lotus Wallpaper would be stunning in a powder room or bathroom ($285 per roll, us.farrow-ball.com).

Courtesy of Farrow & Ball

Keep this lemon-hued watering can ($30, www.crateandbarrel.com) next to your patio doors to bring the life of the outdoors in.

Crate & Barrel

Take a ride in comfort and style. Schwinn Voyageur 7 Women’s comfort bike in Aurora yellow ($249, www.performancebike.com).

Performance Bike

The linen and wool Labyrinth Citrine Pillow ($98, www.dwellstudio.com) is a great way to incorporate pretty pops of yellow into a room without getting too edgy. Mix and match with solid and striped pillows for a bolder look.

Dwell Studio

Designed in 1964 by Maija Isola, the Unikko ("poppy") design has been the most popular Marimekko print since its introduction. Pair this lemon-lime pillow with a neutral throw to liven up an accent chair or bedspread ($49, www.crateandbarrel.com).

Crate & Barrel

A yellow twist on a classic kettle. Le Creuset Classic tea pot in dijon ($80, www.williams-sonoma.com).

Jim Hildreth / Williams-Sonoma

Yellow doesn’t have to be overwhelming. This metal bookcase can serve as a subtle lemon accent in a neutral room. Brimfield Bookcase ($89, www.urbanoutfitters.com).

Urban Outfitters

Line your kitchen windowsill with elegant Fleur Tealights in lemon-lime ($10, www.zgallerie.com).

Tom Koto / Z Gallerie

Have some fun with throw pillows. Instead of traditional animal print, try a more literal approach. Zebra Citrine pillow ($80, www.dwellstudio.com).

Dwell Studio

Fill this sunny yellow ceramic basket with fresh-picked berries and set out for guests to enjoy. Farmer's Basket ($14, www.anthropologie.com).

Anthropologie

The Atelier Chesterfield sofa ($5,998, www.anthropologie.com) is a beautiful and bold way to freshen up a stuffy living room. The traditional nailhead trim offers a nice balance to the playful butter-yellow leather.

Anthropologie

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The reinvention of yellow

Here are some fresh ideas and products to incorporate pops of yellow — the season’s must-have color — throughout your home.

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