50 Years Before It Was a Trend, Candice Bergen’s ‘70s Country Kitchen Proved That the Chicest People Decorate with Yellow – Now, It’s Dominating 2026 Forecasts
Archival photographs of the actress and model's kitchen from 1971 feature yellow walls and farmhouse accents – and her design is trending again today
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Long before butter yellow was dominating our interiors and mood boards, another timeless tastemaker was using the color to brighten her kitchen: Candice Bergen. A 1971 photoshoot captured the iconic model and actress's space resplendent with bright yellow walls, woven textures, and wooden accents.
Looking back at Candice's California home reveals that decorating with yellow is more than a fad – it's always been a hallmark of the chicest people's homes. Her yellow kitchen taps into the country kitchen style, with warm farmhouse accents that feel like a dose of sunshine. Candice sits at a wooden table lined with wicker baskets and glossy pottery. A cream-and-red rug beneath her feet adds extra pattern. One of the most interesting elements is a painting of shelves filled with antique crockery that gives the illusion of a built-in feature. All these details are pulled together with the brilliant yellow tone of her walls.
In Candice's kitchen, yellow isn’t just an accent – it acts as an inviting neutral, creating a warm, stylish, and effortlessly lived-in space. Here, we break down why her look is trending in kitchens today, share expert tips for recreating it, and highlight a curated selection of favorite products so you can emulate Candice's space in style.
Candice Bergen in her California kitchen, 1971
As Candice Bergen's space shows, there's a reason why butter yellow kitchens are trending, and it's that the color is especially suited to cooking spaces.
Darren Watts, Design Director at Wren Kitchens explains: 'Yellow is one of the most visible colors in daylight and has a unique ability to brighten and energize any room. Its light-reflecting properties make it particularly effective in small or dimly lit spaces, and its appetite-stimulating qualities are ideal for kitchens.'
Shop the Yellow Kitchen Edit
Olive oil is a staple in nearly every kitchen, and a vibrant bottle – in a sunny butter-yellow hue – is the perfect way to brighten any setting. Crafted from glazed earthenware, it instantly evokes the charm of the Mediterranean.
As Candice Bergen's kitchen shows, yellow paint looks best when paired with farmhouse details. This beautiful natural wood table would be the perfect pairing in a pretty space like hers.
At Joanna Gaines’s Magnolia, you can now shop complete place settings, thoughtfully curated with matching dinner plates, salad plates, and bowls to make tablescaping effortless. This vintage-inspired yellow set adds a cheerful glow to any dining room or kitchen.
This runner is sure to brighten any kitchen, and would pair wonderfully with butter yellow paint accents like the ones in Candice's space. All ruggable pieces are washable, making it the perfect addition to a high-traffic area.
Natural materials are the natural companion to yellow walls, and this wicker basket would be ideal for storing utensils and spices in your kitchen. It would also look great on floating shelves.
Bring a hint of café-style charm to your countertops with this stoneware butter dish. Elegant and practical, each piece turns everyday moments into a little celebration. Compact enough for any shelf, it adds a cheerful accent to any corner.
2025 brought us muted 'butter yellow' and Dulux's bright 'True Joy.' In 2026, we're shifting towards warmer, more retro-inspired iterations of the shade like Candice Bergen's gold tone. These shifts relate to the overall bold turn in interior design trends.
Al Bruce, Founder of Olive & Barr Kitchens states: 'We’re seeing more customers feel confident in their colour choices, with joyful hues like yellow rising in popularity. Choosing a colour you love will instantly lift your mood and transform the everyday, bringing warmth and happiness into the home, even on gray days. It creates a kitchen that feels more welcoming, sociable, and one that can be cherished for years to come.'
Furthermore, experts explain that brown is the perfect color to go with yellow as an accent. Candice Bergen's home is the blueprint, but the combination can be recreated in any home. Darren advises: 'If you lean toward natural elements, yellow cabinetry works wonderfully with timber worktops, complemented by soft furnishings like jute placemats and linen napkins. These textures temper yellow’s vibrancy, creating a harmonious and balanced kitchen environment.'
When it comes to kitchen ideas, yellow is as classic as white. From the '70s until now, you can't lose with this vibrant and mood-boosting shade.
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