Pretty Yellow Dining Room
Aside from white, yellow is one of the most often used cottage wall colors. It can be bright and cheery, warm and cozy, or as in this gorgeous dining room designed by Cindy of My Romantic Home, pretty and romantic.
Cindy's room uses a classic palette of yellow and blue, which is often associated with Provincal decorating. But with a softer, creamy yellow, in this case, "Havana Cream" by Behr, and lots of white, Cindy's room is a romantic cottage dining room to die for.
This is even more impressive when you learn that almost everything in Cindy's house has been bought at garage sales, flea markets and thrift shops. By having an unerring taste and a lovely sense of style, Cindy has created the romantic dining room of my dreams. When I talked to her about how she made her color choices, this is what she had to say:
What, if anything, inspired you in choosing colors for the room?
My inspiration came mostly from reading a lot of decorating magazines. I've always been drawn to blue and white decor with yellow walls. I think they just go together so well.
How would you describe the style of the room?
I love Shabby Chic, French, and English decorating and I think my home is a combination of all of those. I buy what I love and it all seems to work well together.
Did you pick the wall color first or the other elements first?
I've been decorating with blue and white for almost 20 years so I had most of the elements first. For years I've lived in apartments where I wasn't allowed to paint the walls. This is the first place that allowed me to paint and I knew before I even moved in that I was going to paint it yellow.
Once you knew you were going to choose yellow, how did you pick this particular paint color?
I heard on a decorating show, I believe it was The Christopher Lowell Show, that you should pick a shade of yellow that is about 2 or 3 shades lighter than what you think you want. Also you should chose a yellow more towards the orange side of the color wheel than the green side. If you look at the paint chips in the store you will see that yellow is sandwiched between the orange and green...go more towards the orange.
Did you test colors?
I bought a quart of the yellow I thought would work out well and painted one wall. I was shocked that it looked like highlighter yellow. It was so bright and GLOWING! I went back to the store and lucked out with my second choice. I think yellow is the hardest color to get right!
The room is just so lovely, not just the color, but everything in it. Where did you find all of those gorgeous things on a budget?
I found the chandelier at a garage sale for $25 and I rewired it myself. The hutch I found on Craigslist, the table was a hand-me-down from my parents and the chairs, believe it or not, I found on the curb in my neighborhood.
So many great tips! Fortunately for us all, Cindy publishes all of her finds and projects on her blog so we can all learn her best secrets. I am constantly inspired by Cindy's decorating, and I hope you are, too!
About The Designer
Cindy is a single mom with a son in college and a daughter in high school. She has always enjoyed decorating but have been limited by her budget. In order to have the beautiful home she desired she has learned that it's possible to decorate with items from thrift stores, yard sales, flea markets, and discount stores. She recommends being creative and leting it evolve over time. You can find Cindy at her blog, My Romantic Home.
Photos in this article are Copyright ©2008 Cindy ~ My Romantic Home and are used by permission.
Comments (42)
I adore Cindy's blog, she is a true inspiration to so many of us. Amazing how she finds so beautiful things.
I plan to paint my living/dining room in yellow and until now I didn't realized that her house is actually what triggered it.
Wish you a great sunny Sunday! Suzy
Posted by Suzy | May 4, 2008 2:35 AM
Posted on May 4, 2008 02:35
So so gorgeously romantic!
Nothing like coming to your blog, Angela, to feel like my house is realllllly boring!
:)
Thanks for sharing such inspirational beauty!
Posted by Emily | May 4, 2008 5:07 AM
Posted on May 4, 2008 05:07
Thank you Angela! I'm really honored that you featured me!
Posted by cindy ~ My Romantic Home | May 4, 2008 6:20 AM
Posted on May 4, 2008 06:20
Hi Angela,
This is my first visit to your blog and I am so glad I came. That is so awesome that you have featured Cindy. She is so talented and so budget saavy. I love everything she does. Thanks for featuring her. Please stop by sometime. I would love to meet you.
Hugs,
LeAnn :)
Posted by LeAnn | May 4, 2008 6:42 AM
Posted on May 4, 2008 06:42
I just discovered your blog today, and I love it! I must add it to my favorites so I can drop in again soon. Thanks for all the design inspirations!
Posted by Melissa Lester | May 4, 2008 1:40 PM
Posted on May 4, 2008 13:40
What a gorgeous dining room!
That yellow had such a warm and inviting glow.
I agree with Cindy, yellow is a hard color to get the right shade.
Beautiful!
Lovin this color inspiration series.
Kimberly :)
Posted by Niesz Vintage Home | May 4, 2008 2:50 PM
Posted on May 4, 2008 14:50
What a beautiful room. Thanks for the great pictures. The yellow is so warm and inviting.
Posted by Ele at A bit of Pink Heaven | May 4, 2008 7:04 PM
Posted on May 4, 2008 19:04
This post made me smile. I love the combination of white, blue and yellow very much too although I would add a bit of applegreen to the mix to balance it out a bit. In my old house in most rooms the walls were painted yellow so it looked like the sun always shone, even when it didn't. In my living room I'd have yellow, white and blue as the main colours in Summer and yellow, white and red in Winter. It looked fantastic.
Posted by Yolanda Elizabet | May 5, 2008 1:40 AM
Posted on May 5, 2008 01:40
Love this post! I love Cindy's things. She has such a great eye like you! Jen R
Posted by Jen R | May 5, 2008 5:35 AM
Posted on May 5, 2008 05:35
I am so glad I found you from Cindys blog! You selected a very inspiring gal to feature. Cindy does such beautiful work...and so do you! I've saved your link so I can come back for another visit. Have a great week! xo ~ Joy
Posted by Joy at Cupids Charm | May 5, 2008 6:18 AM
Posted on May 5, 2008 06:18
Hi, Angela -- I was sent here by Artsy, as I've been agonizing over choosing color for my living room and she is being my enabler! This is a lovely site and I look forward to returning. It's inspirational and this post in particular, is really good info for me! (No, I'm not averse to color -- my daily life, wardrobe, photos and accessories are filled with HOT colors! But they're not always the best on the living room wall!)
Thanks!
Posted by Jeanie | May 5, 2008 9:59 AM
Posted on May 5, 2008 09:59
Hi Angela :)
What a wonderful post :) I admire Cindy very much and it's nice to see her recognized for her talents.
rue
Posted by Rue | May 5, 2008 10:39 AM
Posted on May 5, 2008 10:39
I just discovered your amazing blog thanks to Cindy...and what a sweet delight! I am enjoying reading through your past posts but did want to comment on Cindy's home. This interview as a special one as Cindy truly is an inspiration to so many of us. Thank you for showcasing this lovely home and for offering those of us who love to decorate and love our homes, a beautiful spot to visit.
I will be back often!
Blessings...
Hugs,
Sue
Posted by Susie | May 5, 2008 11:11 AM
Posted on May 5, 2008 11:11
Wow. See what happens when I stop visiting for a few weeks. I've been so busy and so have you with all these wonderful posts for me to catch up on.
Great selections and colors. I just popped by My Romantic Home too, I love that site.
Hope all is well!
Posted by Lisa | May 5, 2008 11:59 AM
Posted on May 5, 2008 11:59
I love those soft colors. I always go for brights, but those pictures make me reconsider. Thank you for sharing!
Becky
Posted by Wonders Never Cease | May 5, 2008 2:04 PM
Posted on May 5, 2008 14:04
LOVE, love, love this room! All of the white is so charming and warm. I never thought so much white would make a room feel cozy, but I think the soft warm walls bring it all together. Beautiful!
I missed out on your yellow challenge, but still posted about it today if you want to check it out.
www.neweveryam.blogspot.com/2008/05/color-yellow.html
Posted by Gretchen | May 5, 2008 3:30 PM
Posted on May 5, 2008 15:30
I love Cindy's style, and I especially love that she does it on a budget! I have always felt that it takes a true decorator to be able to achieve a great look on a tight budget. Let's face it: it's not too hard to get a fantastic look with loose purse strings and ample access to great stores. I love all you like-minded ladies!!
Linda
Posted by Linda | May 5, 2008 6:32 PM
Posted on May 5, 2008 18:32
love that Cindy too... the creamy yellow is dreamy.. and your blog is such a wealth of info ! Thanks !
Posted by diana | May 6, 2008 7:10 AM
Posted on May 6, 2008 07:10
Angela
Just wanted you to know
I am doing a giveaway for my 100th post, stop in!
Posted by Tara | May 7, 2008 1:25 AM
Posted on May 7, 2008 01:25
I love Cindy's blog. Have been a fan for a long time!
Posted by Julie size | May 7, 2008 12:31 PM
Posted on May 7, 2008 12:31
I'm a huge fan of Romantic home. She is so energetic!
Posted by lucinda | May 7, 2008 1:28 PM
Posted on May 7, 2008 13:28
I purchased paint in this shade of yellow. I want to use it in my foyer (that is now eggshell'ish colored) but I keep chickening out! What do you think? Eggshell or yellow?
Posted by Kim | May 7, 2008 7:25 PM
Posted on May 7, 2008 19:25
I love the look of these rooms. I have yellow in my home too. She does a great job!
Great post:)
Posted by melissa lewis - off the wall | May 7, 2008 8:59 PM
Posted on May 7, 2008 20:59
Happy Mothers Day, Ms Magpie!!
love from the beach-
Lisa
coastal nest
Posted by Lisa | May 8, 2008 9:24 PM
Posted on May 8, 2008 21:24
Love this dining room. I recently painted
mine yellow too and really like it. I also
like yellow and blues together.
Posted by Joy | May 9, 2008 12:15 PM
Posted on May 9, 2008 12:15
Well, you know you don't have to sell ME on yellow. :D
Posted by Wende | May 10, 2008 9:43 AM
Posted on May 10, 2008 09:43
What an inspiration for redecorating.
Posted by Jackie | May 22, 2008 1:50 PM
Posted on May 22, 2008 13:50
I love how the blue is filtering in from the other room, giving it an ethereal glow. My favorite color. They should put THAT in a can. :)
Posted by Carolyn | May 24, 2008 8:31 PM
Posted on May 24, 2008 20:31
Oh, I love this room. I love the cottage style and incoporate it into my own home...Kathy
Posted by Kathy@ Mimi's Garden | May 24, 2008 9:29 PM
Posted on May 24, 2008 21:29
I love visiting Cindy's blog she has such wonderful ideas.
Posted by Theresa N | May 25, 2008 3:19 AM
Posted on May 25, 2008 03:19
Cindy is such an inspiration to so many with her incredible design and creative skills. I love her blog so much and am always so excited to see what she is doing as she build her gorgeous home. This interview with her was so much fun to read. Angela I'm thrilled I've found your awesome blog, it is definitely going to be at the top of my read list! xoxo
Posted by Betty Jo | May 25, 2008 3:25 AM
Posted on May 25, 2008 03:25
I love the idea of using the cake stand for seashells!
Posted by jellybelly*jellybrain | May 25, 2008 4:48 AM
Posted on May 25, 2008 04:48
I just love that hutch. We have some great curbside finds in our house too. And yardsales are the best! I'm wondering if she painted her table herself and if so exactly how she did it. I guess I will have to check out the blog for myself.
Posted by Elisabeth | May 25, 2008 7:47 PM
Posted on May 25, 2008 19:47
Beautiful! I love your ideas!
Posted by Shannon | May 26, 2008 7:24 AM
Posted on May 26, 2008 07:24
Beautiful! Love the soft yellow she used.
Posted by Joyce | May 26, 2008 12:17 PM
Posted on May 26, 2008 12:17
I enjoy Cindy's site and all her wonderful ideas. I love the way she finds all her treasures in all kinds of places. It doesn't have to break the bank to have your style. Blessings, Heather dhdundas at hurontel.on.ca
Posted by Heather | May 27, 2008 6:39 AM
Posted on May 27, 2008 06:39
I love Cindy! I go to her blog everyday to see what kind of bargain she has found. I wish we had thrift stores here like they do there. There is a web site called TheThriftShopper.com that rates the thrift stores in your area, and ours is rated the worst. Everything is priced so high, and I think someone on the inside nabs all the goodies first, because you just rarely find anything good. Thanks for sharing with us again!
Posted by Debbie | May 27, 2008 8:20 PM
Posted on May 27, 2008 20:20
Love the yellow walls - that is the color I picked out for the walls in my kitchen/living room & dining room.
Posted by Gretchen | May 28, 2008 5:34 AM
Posted on May 28, 2008 05:34
I only wish my dining room looked like that! I am enjoying your blog as I find posts to comment for the quilt. I have now bookmarked it! It's a great blog!
Posted by Donna | May 28, 2008 8:10 AM
Posted on May 28, 2008 08:10
Definitely one of my all-time favorite blogs!! Can't wait to see her on HGTV!!
Michele
luvkitysmeowmail@gmail.com
Posted by Michele | May 29, 2008 12:45 AM
Posted on May 29, 2008 00:45
I love this dining table set & hutch. very inspirational
Posted by Ambrea | May 29, 2008 8:16 AM
Posted on May 29, 2008 08:16
Did the yellow in this article inspire you for the quilt in your giveaway? ; )
Posted by Michele | May 29, 2008 3:27 PM
Posted on May 29, 2008 15:27