Color Guide: How to Use Gold
All that glitters may not be gold. Oh, but when it is, it sure is pretty. Humans have had a thing for gold for millennia. Cleopatra wore it. So did the Greeks, a million years ahead of her. The Aztecs, Mayas and Incas were also fans. San Francisco would nevertheless be a cow town if it weren’t for gold.
It’s has always been a sign of luxury, wealth and achievement. Gold medals, Gold cards, gold standard — all of it intended to convey the best of their best. But in design it can be tricky. Done gold can add warmth that is mellow. It’s timeless and elegant. Done badly, well, you have seen Liberace’s home, right?
The secret is to choose the right tone — gold fluctuates from bright yellow to a soft burnished hue that is a lot darker — the right place and the right combination.
It seems great with all these colors, but plum and turquoise are favorites. In Asian-influenced design red, gold and black often go together. In modern design it is often paired with bright white.
In these pictures, the use of gold fluctuates a lot, but all of them have something in common: the warm glow of gold which speaks to our ancient DNA. We’re just wired to like it.
McClellan Architects
Gold on the Walls
This glistening stairwell appears like it has been covered in gold leaf, but it’s really Venetian plaster lit with a very bright LED light. The result is dramatic, but the traces and other materials keep it simple and refined.
Integrated
This much cuter, darker golden tone was created using a bronze-tone plaster. It has been burnished to a high gloss and nearly resembles lacquer.
A golden mother-of-pearl wall by Maya Romanoff. This looks like a location King Tut might have liked to hang out in. Stunning. See product information.
McIntosh Poris Associates
This golden ceiling retains the all-white space from looking too chilly and reflects a beautiful warm glow back into the space.
Dufner Heighes Inc
The gold color on those walls is enhanced with touches of metallic gold at the coffee table, chairs and drapes. All of it comes off as very regal.
High Fashion Home
A golden background in a small, modern layout. It’s pure Hollywood elegance, but it doesn’t tip into Vegas style because the tone is muted and it’s the only gold in the room. Note the gold and silver teal — always a beautiful combo.
Camilla Molders Design
Another modern gold background. With nearly everything else in the area kept white and simple, the design looks fresh and open, with just the correct amount of shine.
Hugh Jefferson Randolph Architects
Gold and White
Can there be anything more elegant than white and gold together? It has a luxury and perfect equilibrium is effective in each style. It works within this traditional room.
Jessica Bennett Interiors
It functions in this contemporary room. The little gold accents add warmth and richness to all this white.
Modern rooms also. This ornate midcentury wall hanging may appear awful over your grandparents’ brick fireplace and avocado-green rug, but it also adds glow and comedy to a very simple space. It’s nice to see a space not taking itself too seriously.
Elad Gonen
Both little gold benches add a touch of Miami glamour to the supersleek room.
Nora Schneider Interior Design
Gold in the restroom
These undulating tiles possess a dark, mellow glow. It’s understated luxury that is glamorous but still masculine.
Chronicle Books
Gold fixtures are typically pure Graceland territory, but this otherwise simple, modern toilet they look beautiful, irreverent and elegant. I really like everything about this particular bathroom.
Jessica Lagrange Interiors
A little space is a superb place for going bold with background. A massive pattern in gold gives this toilet warmth, texture and zing.
Jerry Jacobs Design, Inc..
Decorating With Gold
Metallic golds blend nicely with flat gold tones. This room has a bit of both. A creamy white makes a pleasant, warm backdrop and retains the room bright.
Glenn Gissler Design
More mixing of flat and metallic golds. It provides a very wealthy, Brahmin feel to a space. There’s nothing quite as tasty as golden.
For Folks design
More gold velvet, now in a modern setting. And check out how great it all looks with turquoise.
Jerry Jacobs Design, Inc..
This golden display using a soft glow is this a simple way to provide this pastel space some oomph.
Laura U, Inc..
A few soft metallic accessories and fabrics make this space opulent and plush. Without them it’d be just another cream-colored living area.
Paula Grace Designs, Inc..
Gold leaf frames and plein air paintings are a classic combination, and they move in any kind of space — out of formal and traditional to modern and eclectic.
Design House
Eclectic design thrives on mixing eras, styles and colors. The ornate gold trim with this refurbished settee is both classic and modern.
Design Manifest
Only a dab will do you. Two glowing golden vases on the mantel look beautiful in this modern eclectic room.
Erika Bierman Photography
Turquoise, pink and golden. Delish.
Elad Gonen
Modern, elegant and simple. Gold with black and white is a classic look that can go modern also.
Shagreene
For some real metallic bling, choose bright golden.
Urban Outfitters
Marrakesh Honey Wallpaper – $98
Gold and silver turquoise always look beautiful together.
F. Schumacher & Co..
Chevron Texture, White Gold
A chevon-patterned gold background.
Maya Romanoff Mother-of-Pearl Wall Tiles – $3
Maya Romanoff’s mother-of-pearl wall tiles are the real thing. So much glow and texture.
Hygge&West
Petal Pusher Wallpaper, Gray/Gold – $125
Gold and navy wallpaper. Deep and Refined.
ArchiExpo
Luna Metal Wall Covering
Shimmering hand-painted wallpaper using a scallop texture. Wow.
Sherwin-Williams
Empire Gold SW0012 Paint
Nonmetallic gold tones vary from tan to straw to yellow. All with traces of brown.
Benjamin Moore
Bryant Gold HC-7 Paint
A gold.
Benjamin Moore
Honeymoon AF-345 Paint
Lots of brownish but a lot lighter.
Benjamin Moore
Golden Straw 2152-50 Paint
An extremely pale straw-colored gold tone.