My painter friend in Denver told me navy and mustard yellow is a "classic power move" not a risky clash, and after seeing it in her living room I finally get it.

She pointed out how the warm yellow tones down the navy's heaviness and the deep blue makes the yellow pop without screaming, so has anyone else had a supposedly "safe" color combo totally change their mind on what counts as bold?

2 comments

2 Comments

betty_shah10d ago

Wait, so you're telling me my grandma's 80s living room was actually a "power move" and not just a weird mistake? lol guess I owe her an apology for all the times I laughed at the mustard throw pillows under that navy couch.

christophermurray10d ago

Push back on that apology because grandma was clearly ahead of the curve. Mustard and navy is basically a classic color combo now, you see it in every home decor mag. She probably knew exactly what she was doing with those throw pillows, making a bold statement while everyone else was stuck in beige and brown. Plus, think about it - that navy couch was practical, hid stains well, and the mustard pops made the room feel lively instead of like a funeral parlor. Your grandma was out here manifesting 2020s design trends while rocking a perm and watching Dallas. She earned that apology but also some credit for being a trendsetter before Etsy boards even existed.