Paint advice needed, what white to use with SW Friendly Yellow

4 months ago

Not for trim but in adjacent living room. Also any general decor advice appreciated, I love gorgeous rooms but am horrible at putting them together.

At 54 we are now empty nesters and due to my husband recently being diagnosed with Parkinson's, we are moving to a one level condo. The current interior design style does not work for us, so we will be redoing the kitchen/dr/lr.

The kitchen and dining area are open to the living room. I want a soft butter yellow for the kitchen (white cabinets) and dining room. And a soft creamy white for the living room. But not so creamy that it also looks yellow when next to the kitchen.

Both rooms have east facing windows. Because our unit is not an end unit, those east facing windows are the only ones (and a skylight in the kitchen).

We have a light gray in our current house and I've regretted it ever since. I'm so sick of gray and want nothing to do with it. I want color! I love soft yellows/pastels. I also collect vintage pyrex in pinks/turquoise/yellow and want to focus my kitchen look around that. I want a cozy cottage look as much as is doable in a condo built in 2006. In the living room we will have our current beige furniture with blue and soft yellow pillows/decor etc.

We have not yet decided on floor colors, other than it will be hardwood. Our couch/love seat are beige and the rest of the furniture is Cherry. I would like new coffee/end tables etc in the living room but it won't happen right away. I'm not sure a new dining room table will happen as we do love ours and it was a pretty penny for us at one time. So I'm thinking of lighter hardwoods for contrast.

Featured Answer

Kendrah

4 months ago

Congrats on your new home, though sorry for the reason for the move. (PD runs in my family so we've had lots of relatives move to condo living and it is a smart choice.)

Friendly Yellow is very vibrant, golden, and punchy. Although it is called a buttery yellow, I think it is way more golden, with a tad or orange shining than the actual color of butter.

I wonder if you are over correcting as you run screaming for grey. I'd prefer a more creamy yellow against which your pink, turquoise, and yellow vintage pyrex will really pop instead of compete. I also think your cherry will clash less with buttermilk, or something like buttermilk, than with friendly yellow.

This link shows an interesting comparison between the more golden friendly yellow and the more pastel buttermilk.

https://plan-home.com/compare-colors/sherwin-williams-friendly-yellow/benjamin-moore-buttermilk-919

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Comments (6)

PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
4 months ago
This from Google.

Sherwin-Williams Friendly Yellow (SW 6680) is a sunny, mid-toned yellow that pairs best with bright or creamy whites to avoid looking muddy. For interior trim, top choices include Pure White (SW 7005) (bright/versatile), Alabaster (SW 7008) (creamy/soft), or Extra White (SW 7006) (crisp contrast).
- SW 7006 Extra White: Recommended for a high-contrast, vibrant, and clean look that prevents the yellow from feeling too muted.
- SW 7005 Pure White: A great balance; it is bright but not stark, making it a reliable, versatile choice.
- SW 7008 Alabaster: Provides a warmer, creamier, and softer look for a cozy, charming vibe, especially in lower light.
Tips for Using Friendly Yellow
- Light Exposure: Friendly Yellow is excellent for brightening rooms with little natural light.
- Coordinating Colors: Pair with gray tones like Gauntlet Gray (SW 7019) or other yellows like Full Moon (SW 6679) to anchor the space.
- Finish: Use a satin or semi-gloss finish on trim to make the yellow stand out.
Personally, I would never use yellow inside a home. I have no furnishings that work with that color.
PRO
oncape
4 months ago
last modified: 4 months ago
Yellow is tricky. In a small condo with only east light, and the cherry furniture, you might want to go more in this direction with the our current beige furniture

Then add colors like this pillow to work with upholstery.
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Jennifer Hogan
4 months ago
I love Cheviot and Creamy with Friendly Yellow

Roman Column may also work very nicely.
la_la Girl
4 months ago
I also love yellow 🤩 and have had lots of different yellows in my home over the years. I prefer one that is a bit knocked back so it doesn't feel juvenile. The best yellow I have ever had is a retired BM called Oriental Silk (they can still mix by request) a fav Atlanta designer from years ago had it in her home
Jennifer Hogan
4 months ago
I think yellow is hard.

They can often look too vibrant when painted over a large area, can pull to gold or sometimes get too green.

I loved Devine Butter, used it in a bedroom years ago and it was beautiful yellow. Saw a photo on Houzz of a nursery where it was used. https://www.houzz.com/photos/sw-hills-transitional-nursery-portland-phvw-vp~7644739