Vermeer Yellow
History, Fashion, Interior + Brand Design, & Pantone®
Quiet brilliance and deep stillness—this week’s color is inspired by the famous Dutch painter behind Girl with a Pearl Earring.
Before we get into the history and design applications, let’s do our check-in:
A Brief History
I’m sure many of you are already familiar with—or have at least seen—Girl with a Pearl Earring, the iconic work by painter Johannes Vermeer. And if you haven’t, check it out below:
While Vermeer is best known for this painting, the 17th-century Dutch Baroque painter (1632–1675) was celebrated for his masterful use of light, detail, and quiet domestic scenes—many of which feature this shade of yellow.
In The Milkmaid, for example, Vermeer uses the same vibrant yet subdued yellow for the subject’s dress—a warm tone that reflects natural light in a way that feels both intimate and luminous.
What’s cool about this color is that it isn’t flashy, it’s grounded in realism and emotion. It beautifully communicates sunlight pouring into a quiet room, casting a glow over daily life.
Now let’s get into some of today’s design applications today!
Fashion Design
Avenir Berlin Fall 2025
The Avenir Berlin Fall 2025 Collection brings pairs the yellow’s vintage, painterly warmth with sharp tailoring, wide-leg trousers, and nostalgic silhouettes that feel both intellectual and effortlessly cool.
Miu Miu Fall 2025 Ready-to-Wear
Miu Miu delivers a playful twist on sophistication, anchoring a Vermeer-inspired yellow within a palette of muted orange, deep espresso, camel tones, and unexpected pops of bright color.
Interior Design
This muted yellow does a great job of bringing warmth and sophistication to contemporary interiors, as seen in these spaces where golden ceilings and sculptural seating create an atmosphere of sunlit serenity.
Paired with soft neutrals and organic textures, the color feels both grounded and quietly luxurious.
Muted yellow breathes warmth into both spaces: in the first, it punctuates a sleek, wood-lined interior with modernist edge; in the second, it drapes the ceiling in a soft golden glow, turning the bedroom into a tranquil retreat.
Branding
Not the most common color in branding, but it’s a great choice for heritage-inspired branding, artisanal products, or anything organic.
From the research I did (and my personal opinion), it seems to work especially well for ceramics, handmade goods, and natural skincare lines.
Pantone® & More
If you’re interested in working with this color and need a Pantone match, I’d go with Pantone 15-0953 TCX “Golden Yellow”. More color information (HEX, RGB, CMYK) is listed below as well.
HEX: #CB8E16
RGB: (203, 142, 22)
CMYK: (0, 30, 89, 20)
As always, thank you for reading! Hopefully you learned something today or are inspired to explore this muted yellow—whether through your interiors, your wardrobe, or your next design project :)