they call me mellow yellow; or, the new "yellow room"

They don't call me mellow yellow at all. I ain't yellow, and I probably ain't mellow (much as I aspire to be). But I haven't done a room in yellow before, and probably never will again, so I had to use that title now since I may never get another chance.

In other news: Blare the trumpets, because the new "yellow room" is done! (Previously known as the second guest room. You can see how the first guest room, the "blue room," came out here.)

Here's what the room started out looking like: A tiny, gloomy, blank box with pine trim. The photo is blurry because there was such low light in the room.

As you may recall from this post, I was inspired by this photo in terms of the major elements of the room:

Designed by Vanessa De Vargas of Turquoise, photo via

Though it was only a few weeks ago that we started with a dingy, blank box, I've been busy since then. The room got new paint, a new light, a new curtain system with new drapes, furniture, accessories and all the finishing touches. Best of all? This all happened on a totally frugal budget, though I don't think it looks it. (See source list at the bottom of the post.)

Wanna see how it turned out? Because I'm gonna show you either way!

TADA! 

Maybe someday we'll add a DIY headboard, but the curtains and big pillows are bridging the gap for now.

A clearer shot of the chandelier: hand-painted color and lots of patina from age

The essentials for guests: maps and reading material, water, a tray for jewelry and change and an alarm clock.

The candle tin is there as much for the candle as for the subtle pink hit, to help tie in the chandelier color to the rest of the room.

That mirror frame was originally cherry wood toned until I coated it with Rustoleum "mechanical gray."

A framed Julia Child quote and cheeky map of LA (mixed with a meat map of a pig) reinforce the color scheme while also reflecting a bit of who we are.

More guest essentials: a place to check email, pens and postcards, a lamp and a mirror.

When I bought this console at the Rose Bowl Flea Market, I never imagined it would actually stay yellow. I just loved the ultra-compact size and thought it would be perfect for this jewel box of a room. But then it just happened to work perfectly in the color scheme, and the antiquey feel blends well with the chandelier and the other nightstand. I love having the mix of vintage pieces and modern stuff in an overall modern (but not minimal) space.

The tin conceals postcard stamps.

That big door will soon get replaced by bifold doors, since right now you can't even open it all the way. (Who designs rooms like that??) All the books on the bookcase are in whites and warm colors. (The cool color books went to the blue room.)

Because I want to help give a sense of where the room is in the house, this is the back hallway from the great room to the guest rooms, guest bath and garage. (Check out our new Edison light in the hall.)

Coming into the room, with a magnet board featuring a vintage postcard of the Truckee area (Donner Lake, in this case), to be joined by a special note once individual guests are scheduled to arrive.

Where the two guest rooms are in relation to each other. 

You can probably tell, but I'm thrilled with how the room came out. It's pretty and feels cohesive (it's probably the prettiest room in the house), it feels so much lighter and brighter than I could have imagined a tiny room could feel (bright light and a white duvet cover help a LOT, along with those light floor-to-ceiling curtains), and it feels "finished." Huzzah. As I said to Mark, "It's a room where any male visitor would be pleased to stay!" Ha. (Thank goodness for the blue room!)

Here's where everything came from:

Sources:

Paint colors: "Hazy skies" on wall behind curtains, "Halo" on ceiling and other walls, both Benjamin Moore colors color-matched to cheaper paint

Curtain track and curtain fabric -- Ikea

Chandelier -- Already owned (from first condo)

Bed -- Free on Craigslist!

Bedding -- Overstock

Accent pillow -- Joel Dewberry "Aviary 2" fabric (which I first found here) 

Gray euro pillows -- Ikea

Yellow throw blanket -- Target

Small chest with drawers -- Long Beach Flea Market ($20!)

Mirror on chest -- Recycled Furniture in Reno

Lantern -- Z Gallerie

Voluspa candle -- Already owned (originally Anthropologie)

Glass water bottle -- Crate and Barrel

Yellow and white dish -- West Elm

Yellow console table -- Rose Bowl Flea Market ($10!)

Wood grain lamp -- Already owned

White and yellow lamp shade -- Target

Yellow mug -- Crate and Barrel

Flower tin -- Marrimekko via Crate and Barrel

Small mirror on console -- Target

Metal stool -- Ikea

Framed art -- Drywell and Blimpcat on Etsy

White chair -- Ikea

Vase on bookshelf -- Already owned (originally Lamps Plus)
Brownie camera -- Wertz Brothers Antiques in Santa Monica

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xoxo,