Josh Brolin’s Sunny Malibu Kitchen Is Turning Heads With Its Bold Yellow, Sparking a Wave of Designer Excitement and Inspiring a Fresh Way of Using Color

When the home of American actor Josh Brolin, known for roles in Dune and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, was revealed, one color stood out as a pleasant surprise, appearing throughout his Malibu residence. This mood-lifting and warm yellow brings energy, confidence, and optimism to the heart of the home, offering a bright contrast to the shorter, darker days of the autumn and winter months.

There's a subtle nostalgia in decorating schemes recently. Whether intentional or not, the colors of the mid–1970s are making a comeback, and decorating with yellow is enjoying a welcome renaissance.

At the lighter, bolder end of the spectrum, yellow is a color of optimism. ‘Yellow room ideas can create a mellow and uplifting interior all at the same time. It transports us back to long, lazy, sun-drenched days in the Californian sunshine, and it can brighten us up on gloomy days, which is particularly welcome as the weather turns colder.

Shop the Josh Brolin-inspired edit

In Brolin's kitchen, the soft, pale yellow is surprisingly calm and subtle – a modern version of the shade found in many '70s childhood homes.

An earthy golden yellow is a shade that shines, but it also creates rooms that are rich and enveloping – it is a hue that's like a warm embrace, perfect for nesting during the colder months. If you don't plan on repainting your kitchen, then shop the yellow edit instead.

A champion of decorating with so-called 'ugly colors', the interior design duo at Pierce & Ward, who crafted this yellow kitchen, often seeks beauty in earthy, muddier room color ideas, which are certainly gaining popularity across the US.

Yellow is a color that people are often scared to use, but it’s a fantastic color to really lift a space and create interest and features. It reflects all the lights well and makes a room feel very warm and inviting. It’s known to induce creativity and playfulness, so it’s fantastic for busy spaces, such as kitchens.

The versatility of yellow makes it a favorite element for interior designers. In her book, Recipes for Decorating (available at Amazon), Farrow & Ball's color consultant Joa Studholme notes that we are embracing stronger shades when decorating our homes.

Much research has been done into how colors affect our mood. Yellow inspires optimism, creating a summery feel; team it with warm taupes and emerald green for a contemporary look that can carry its brightness through the seasons.

Architect Richard Parr suggests choosing a natural palette that will enrich yellow, rather than work against it. ‘We recommend pairing yellow with earthy and deep tones, from terracotta to rust, incorporating natural materials such as rich timbers and warm metals that will pick up and enhance the color.'

'Choosing the right yellow can make all the difference, adds Susan Deliss, textile designer and interior decorator.

‘To use yellow or ochre, you need to think of it as the “neutral” in the scheme; as a foil to set off other colors, not to overpower everything else. Avoid anything that says canary or banana and go for something that sets off the architecture or warms up a cooler space,’ making it feel cozier as the temperature continues to drop.