Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Yellow, black and white...I just love it!



I just read a post on my favorite blog of all time, Chinoiserie Chic, about inheriting our parents' design aesthetic. Do we or don't we? It got me thinking about the bold yet traditional approaches my mother's taken over the years, especially about one approach by which I will forever be awed and impressed: her little ode to yellow, black and white. The year was 1972. I know, I look so young, right? It was our first home in a small, uninspiring new development in Northern California. But Bonnie was not daunted by the banality of this neighborhood. She decorated with gusto; and I will say, she knocked it out of the park. There were peacocks and Eames chairs in the living room, cork walls in the dining area... but it was the kitchen/family area that will forever be branded on my brain. She papered the entire kitchen and adjacent family room in a shiny black vinyl that was covered in a white bamboo trellis. Very similar to the one pictured below... But scattered about every 10-12" over my mother's trellis patterned paper were giant, bold yellow poppies. Tailored white drapes hung in the family room with bright yellow tape at lead edge and along the valance. And over what I'd like to think was a white Saarinen table, was a yellow faux bamboo light fixture. While I can't remember the exact sofa, I know it was black leather with buttons that would catch on my shorts. The whole thing had a very Jonathan Adleresque crispness, along with his sense of humor and fun. Not long ago, after buying Kelly Wearstler's Modern Glamour, I showed these pictures to my mom. She laughed, "Oh my God, it's so 1970's..." We fondly remembered that bright, happy space and in unison we both exclaimed, "I just loved it!"

 
I just found a woman who really loves this color combo! It's her whole blog.

Images: Kelly Wearstler, blackwhiteyellow.

9 comments:

  1. What a beautiful combination! I love all this pictures! Retro but modern. Your mom has wonderful taste! :)

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  2. I really adore that paper and in a small space like a powder room or lining bookshelves, I think it is spectacular! So much pretty yellow out there - I think I'm one of the few who loves to see the 70s coming back. Nostalgia maybe?! Marija

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  3. I love these pictures and thanks so much for the mention. It seems you inherited a lot of your mother's great taste.

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  4. Love that wallpaper and the pops of yellow color.
    L.

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  5. Oh that yellow is HOT! Super fresh and pretty!

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  6. Fabulous hits of yellow! xo

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  7. Great color palette, I want those yellow boots so bad!

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  8. I just have to add, My mother read this post and is in absolute shock at the detail in which I remember this room, especially since we have no pictures. I forgot to add that I moved out of this house when I was only five years old. I'm not bragging about my stellar visual memory (though God knows I have one). I'm just comforting myself, as I can hardly remember my own phone number these days and can't even be trusted to boil water anymore. Oh well, I'm convinced my memory will sharpen as the kids move out.

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  9. Yes, like you I adore Chinoiserie Chic's blog and am an avid follower. However she's led me to 'My Pink Sketchbook' - which is another great find! I agree with you about our parent's influence, in fact I blogged about my influences back in July. http://gindoraduxdeluxe.blogspot.com/2010/07/chinoise-chinoiserie.html

    Living in Australia, I took for granted the strong Asian design influence, but more so because my parents travelled. Look forward to following you in the future!
    Karen

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