Elton John’s Cheerful Yet Elegant Yellow Cabinets Show How Designers Are Reimagining Traditional Kitchens With Bold, Non-Neutral Shades
While classic cabinets endure, this vibrant color brings warmth and lightness to any space – and pairs spectacularly with contrasting shades
While classic, neutral cabinets will always remain a quintessential decorating choice, there's something endlessly admirable about those who branch out to more experimental shades. Take Elton John's light yellow-green cabinets, for example.
In his Windsor home, Elton has drenched his cabinetry in a soft lemony shade (with green undertones), which brings a fresh, fun twist to his country-style space. While some kitchen cabinet color trends can risk feeling audacious, Elton's yellow-green tone remains on the right side of stylish.
It's playful, yet its appeal doesn't feel fleeting. It's an example of the enduring versatility of the classic yellow kitchen, proving it works just as well in traditonal spaces (like Elton's) as it does in a more contemporary home. Unsurprisingly, designers agree.
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Olive oil may be a kitchen essential, but the vessel it’s stored in can be just as thoughtful as the ingredient itself. This butter-yellow bottle, crafted from glazed earthenware, brings a refined pop of color to the counter and channels the easy warmth of Mediterranean design in an understated, modern way.
Joanna Gaines’s Magnolia now offers fully curated place settings, pairing dinner plates, salad plates, and bowls for a seamless tablescape. This vintage-inspired yellow set brings a warm, cheerful tone to the table, making everyday meals feel considered and inviting.
This runner brings an instant lift to any kitchen, and its palette plays especially well with yellow accents like those in Elton’s space. It's as funtional as it is fashionable, what more could we wish for?
Add a touch of café-style charm to your countertop with this stoneware butter dish. Both practical and refined, it elevates everyday routines with a subtle sense of occasion. Its compact design makes it easy to tuck onto any shelf, bringing a cheerful accent to even the smallest corner.
Elevate your space with this sleek ceramic vase, designed to complement fresh or dried stems alike. Its frosted finish and contemporary glaze offer a clean, modern look that suits any living room surface, from a coffee table to the mantel. A simple, stylish way to bring an Elton-inspired palette into your home.
Introduce a touch of vintage charm with the Amaroso bolster pillow. Its subtle stripes and ruffled ends bring soft texture and pattern to a kitchen chair or dining nook, while breathable linen ensures a crisp, comfortable feel that speaks to understated luxury.
'Yellow shades can bring joy and tranquillity into any kitchen and rejuvenate tired cooking and dining spaces,' comments Josie Medved, the design manager at Laura Ashley Fitted Kitchens and Symphony Group Plc.
She notes how there are many shades to choose from, 'from a sunny hue to a more muted, caramel colour,' and of course, a greener twist, as seen in Elton's kitchen.
'Bringing warmth and lightness to a space with limited natural light, yellow is uplifting and inspiring, perfect for brightening up cooking, mealtimes, and the dreaded cleaning up afterwards,' Josie comments.
'It works well as a cabinetry or kitchen island color and looks spectacular paired with contrasting colours such as an intense and moody black or nature-inspired green shade.'
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Megan is the Head of Celebrity Style News at Homes & Gardens, where she leads the celebrity/ news team. She has a history in interior design, travel, and news journalism, having lived and worked in New York, Paris, and, currently, London. Megan has bylines in Livingetc, The Telegraph, and IRK Magazine, and has interviewed the likes of Drew Barrymore, Ayesha Curry, Michelle Keegan, and Tan France, among others. She lives in a London apartment with her antique typewriter and an eclectic espresso cup collection, and dreams of a Kelly Wearstler-designed home.
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