Color Collision: Let the Sun Shine Through
When Glaucous Blue met Naples Yellow, and the rest was history.
There is nothing quite like the sun’s rays when they pierce through a stormy sky. Something is more brilliant about that quality of light, it feels almost tactile, as if you could grab a ray of it in your hand. The same can be said of a stormy sky; the clouds before a storm stir something in you, perhaps internally bracing you for weather. It is both in nature, and design, that I see these subdued hues making a beautiful collision of color. They make quite a contrast, but as such, a brilliant collision.
Naples Yellow is a mellow yellow, and dates back to Egyptian times. Also known as Jaune d'Antimoine, Naples Yellow is one of the oldest synthetic pigments. Celebrated by famed artists such as Salvador Dali and Paul Cezanne, Naples Yellow has been characterized as an essential color for painters. It was first recorded as Naples Yellow in the 1700s, but its origins have been debated, with the likes of Dali claiming the source be Mount Vesuvius.
Growing up I always had a dream of getting a ‘65 Mustang, painting it a buttery yellow, and blasting The Foundations 1968 original rendition of “Build Me Up Buttercup.” It’s not every kid’s dream, but I kinda love that little me was into that image. Yellow, like the sun, brightens not only our spaces, but our spirits. Perhaps that is why my Mustang vision is so bright in my memory. A well chosen yellow can make a room feel like you are bathing in sunlight, and I don’t know about you, but that sure does sound good to me.
Now, I’ll admit you can make a space feel really off with the wrong yellow, especially when the light isn’t right. The number of kitchens I encountered as a child with 50’s yellow tiles was two too many in my opinion. That being said, there is something nostalgic, and heart warming to this saturated yellow hue. However, I advise you to use it sparingly - either as a wall color or as a decorative element. Please, unless your an expert, don’t overdo it. Remember your home isn’t a Wes Anderson set. A great way to ensure you don’t overdo it on the yellow front, is to balance it with a cool tone, or two. Here is where the collision comes into play.
Let me introduce you to Glaucous, a medieval blue. Glaucous, like Naples Yellow, might also be classified as mellow on the scale of blues. The first recorded use of glaucous as a color was in 1671, a mere 60 years before the vernacular for Naples Yellow popped on the scene. Glaucous is known as a blue-green or blue grey to some. This almost meditative shade of blue is reminiscent of the blue-green sea, stormy skies, and washed denim. It also provides a calming contrast to our sunny friend, Naples yellow.
To illustrate this collision in the real world I’ve found some evidence of this duo’s dating history. I love finding pop culture references, and am particularly smitten with how Zoe Kravitz’s character Rob sports this color couple in Hulu’s recreation of High Fidelity. Of course you can always count on Wes Anderson to use striking color combos, and the scene above from The French Dispatch is no exception. Another great example of these two at work is Van Gogh’s sunflower series. It’s really an ode to these faded pigments, in particular Naples Yellow. And when you look at famed work “Girl with a Pearl Earring” by Johannes Vermeer, it’s basically an ad for this color collision. Suffice it to say, from fashion to cinema, and Vermeer to Van Gogh, these two hues make quite a strong team.
In the right dose, this color combo evokes the serenity of joy, and the sweet sensation of summer. When winter is in full force, a splash of faded yellow is like a hit of vitamin D. In summer, a Naples Yellow makes the summer sun extend inside, stretching day into night. Adding a pop of this warming tone in contrast to a Glaucous blue room is like a ray of light piercing through stormy skies. On the other-hand, a Glaucous Blue Room has a cooling effect, bringing the summer heat down a notch. And while this blue has a calming effect, for some it may make you feel blue, so why not pair it with a vase of fresh sunflowers or maybe even a roaring fire?
Another fun way to play with these colors is to paint ceilings, moldings, doors, or simply employ these tones through thoughtful furnishings and decor elements; leaving the walls a blank canvas. See above for several ways to employ this delightful duet. I have also pinned a number of references on the Color Collisions pinterest board, so click to be inspired!
If you’re looking to play with Naples Yellow I recommend Farrow & Ball Yellow Ground. This paint is a toasty yet perfectly tart yellow that could be splashed all over your walls, or perhaps painted as a square on your wall to brighten the mood of your room. Why not have fun with it! If you’re looking to go blue, this shade of Backdrop Paint, The Early Stuff, is quite a stunner. It’s the perfect moody blue, somehow both cool and warming. For me simply a wall of this blue beauty evokes misty countryside mornings, and seaside summer hideaways.
I hope you enjoyed this round of Color Collision, and that I have inspired you to play with color either in your wardrobe, your spaces, or just in your daydreams.
Xx
Katie