Yellow, The Positive Primary
The Design Avenue has been transformed into a blaze of colour – and a message of thank you – with a rainbow-themed installation that celebrates the moment when the sun breaks through the clouds.
As a symbol of peace and hope, the rainbow has taken on a greater significance in 2020 as an emblem of thanks to NHS and other frontline staff in the face of coronavirus. The Design the Rainbow installation is an expression of gratitude on a giant scale, and it also recognises the design community for the way it has come together over the past few months.
Optimistic yellow is unusual for being associated with warmth and happiness across almost every global culture, crossing societal divides as a universal symbol of positivity. It’s seen by the eye before other colours, especially against a black background, so it’s used when objects need to stand out from the crowd, from New York taxi cabs to high-voltage signs.
Perhaps because of its association with the sun, yellow is a stimulating colour, waking us up and giving us energy, rather than a soothing one: it’s even been shown to stimulate the metabolism.
As a primary colour, bright yellow has a playfulness to it, but other shades introduce a more refined side, from ochre’s mineral sophistication to gold’s association with antiquity and opulence. Yellow makes a daring choice as an all-over colour but it makes an outstanding accent colour, especially set against darker shades.
With thanks to our showrooms for their contribution:
Paint: ‘Papavera’, Sanderson
Outside wallcovering: ‘Japan’ (JP-24), Provencal, Andrew Martin
Inside wallcovering: ‘Octo’ (WP-70071), sunflower, James Malone at Altfield
Inside trim: Wide picot braid (05026/06), dark yellow, Colefax and Fowler
Inside frame: ‘Silvi Clouds’ (DYS1216599), sky, Sanderson
Inside rainbow: ‘Seasons by May’ (DMSW216685/S), saffron; ‘Thistle’ (DMCW210484/S), gold; ‘Morris Seaweed’ (DM3W214713/5), cobalt/ thyme; ‘Chrysanthemum’ (DARW212548/S), wine and ‘Brer Rabbit’ (DMCW210411/S), indigo/vellum, all Morris & Co.‘Suhling’ side table, classic white, McKinnon and Harris
‘Marquesa’ rug, ginger, Tufenkian Artisan Carpets
‘Flower’ table, mud grey, Ethimo
‘Flower’ folding chair, poppy red, Ethimo
‘Flower’ folding chair, orange, Ethimo
‘Flower’ folding chair, bamboo green, Ethimo
‘Marly’ Vase, matte white porcelain, Edition Limittée at Tollgard
Ceramic vase, small, yellow, Francesco Della Femina at Miles x Bookshop
Ceramic vase, medium, green, Francesco Della Femina at Miles x Bookshop
Ceramic vase, large, orange, Francesco Della Femina at Miles x Bookshop
‘Tribeca’ console table, Simpsons
