In the mood for mustard

Mustard yellow is enjoying its moment in the sun and it’s no surprise as to why.

This bold hue reminiscent of golden rays and vibrant fields brings a warm energy to our interiors. Deep yellow-golds like Resene Tulip Tree and Resene Buttercup are right on trend for summer. Once sidelined for their boldness, mustard hues are finding new appreciation as designers and homeowners alike have rediscovered their versatility. Yellow is not to be feared – instead, it should be embraced as a hue that can uplift and energise. Its sunny personality is proving to be irresistible.

Historically, yellow has enjoyed moments of grandeur in interior design. Opulent mustard and gold tones were favoured in the 18th century in grand dining rooms and parlours. By the mid-20th century, warm yellows became a symbol of modernity, appearing in kitchens and living rooms as cheerful accents against muted palettes of the era. Mustard yellow is once again back in our contemporary interiors, not as an accent, but as a statement.

Mustard yellows, like Resene Tulip Tree, are appearing in homes already daring with colour, and those with more neutral colour schemes. Designers are using it on furniture, feature walls and soft furnishings, proving its adaptability. Outdoors, it is gaining momentum too. Once neglected in favour of browns and greens, bright colours are now being used to energise decks and patios. Yellows are particularly suited to outdoor spaces, bringing a cheerful glow even on overcast days.

We brought this sunny trend to life by creating an outdoor space that links seamlessly with its indoor counterpart, anchored by mustard yellow accents.

To set off our lively hues in the space, we opted for neutral greys on the walls – indoors and outdoors to keep things cohesive. Our exterior V-groove wall painted in deep grey Resene Chicago provides a sophisticated backdrop. A wood trim painted in Resene Half Sea Fog and wall light in Resene Double Sea Fog add clean, crisp contrasts, while the decking in Resene Woodsman Decking Oil Stain in Resene Natural offers a soft and organic look.

Our interior wall painted in Resene Silver Chalice, a chic pewter grey, carries the neutral palette indoors, complemented by skirting boards in Resene Double Sea Fog. Floorboards stain colour washed in Resene Colorwood Shade from the Resene We Speak Beach collection create a sense of warmth and connect seamlessly with the darkest of our upcycled outdoor chairs, stain colour washed in the same colour. These muted tones set the stage for mustard yellow to shine, ultimately an anchor for the playful vibrancy of our primary colours.

Our upcycled outdoor chairs were a labour of love and proof that bold colour can transform even the most overlooked pieces. These chairs were a thrifted find, and washed down and lightly sanded with medium-grit sandpaper to create a surface ready for paint and stain. After a thorough dusting and wipe-down with a damp cloth, we applied our chosen finishes: Resene Tulip Tree paint for our mustard chair, Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain in Resene Whero for the warm red chair and Resene Colorwood Shade for the darkest chair. Each chair received two coats, with drying time between each application. In just a weekend, we turned these faded finds into vibrant summer seating.

Inside, we extended this creative energy with DIY artworks to adorn the walls. Keeping artwork on walls in small groups of odd numbers is always pleasing to the eye.

To recreate this look:

• Using upcycled artist canvases, we began by lightly sanding the surfaces, ensuring that plaster and paint would adhere well, then wiped off the sanding dust.

• We applied craft plaster horizontally across each canvas, allowing it to partially dry before raking it vertically to create a grid of textural lines.

• Once dry, we applied a thin basecoat of Resene Red Red Red, Resene Possessed and Resene Tulip Tree, all of which reflect the primary colours in our design palette.

• Using an egg carton as a block print, we stamped geometric shapes onto the canvases in the room’s neutral hues: Resene Half Sea Fog and Resene Double Sea Fog.

• Some shapes were left visible, while others were softened with brushstrokes, creating a layered, artistic effect.

To accessorise the interior space, we leaned into pieces that echoed the mustard tones outdoors and complemented our neutral base. A cosy mustard yellow sofa serves as a focal point, paired with a side table painted in Resene Chicago for a moody touch. A carafe in Resene Red Red Red adds a fiery pop of colour, while planter pots in Resene Silver Chalice, Resene Double Sea Fog, and Resene Possessed introduce subtle texture and depth. Small vases painted in Resene Chicago and Resene Tulip Tree tie our interior accents to our outdoor space. Details like an open-necked jar in Resene Half Sea Fog and an antique plate in Resene Silver Chalice add a little more charm.

Resene Woodsman Decking Oil Stain in Resene Natural applied on the decking completes the look. Its light, natural finish allows the surrounding colours to shine and gives a warm foundation that echoes the tones of the indoor floorboards. This connection creates a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor areas. This deck area is a great example of how colour can create connections between spaces, whether through painted furniture, carefully chosen accessories or thoughtful design details. A mustard yellow like Resene Tulip Tree is the perfect summer companion – a shade that really works to uplift and bridges the indoors and outdoors with its cheerful glow.

Colours and products mentioned in this article

Styling by Moneuan Ryan. Photography by Bryce Carleton. 2024