Colour of the Month: Saffron

This month’s colour of the month is Saffron. It is famed for its tone of golden yellow resembling the tip of the saffron crocus, whose threads are dried and sold as the costliest spice (by weight) in the world. Not merely a startling colour, it is also enjoyed for its distinctive taste and revered for its healing properties. Appearing somewhere between yellow and orange on the colour spectrum, saffron is a deeply spiritual colour, of both national and religious importance in India, where its appearance on the national flag is symbolic of the strength and courage of the country.

It is described in many parts of the world as an ‘old colour’ reminiscent of the sun as it rises and sets and long associated with the goddess of dawn (Aurora) in classical literature. In more temperate climates, it is seen as profoundly Autumnal, capturing the yellow and orange shades of falling leaves. These appearances in nature are beautiful yet fleeting and so Saffron carries with it a sense of being both precious yet ephemeral.

Its representations in art and design are far-reaching. Golden yellow is a colour beloved of Vincent Van Gogh and redolent in his most extraordinary works – Sunflowers, The Bedroom, the Yellow House, to name a few. It is certainly a stand-out colour, so when it comes to using this colour at home, a little goes a long way. It works brilliantly alongside all our signature colours: we are great believers that a splash of Saffron (See our Saffron Stripe Kilims) can really bring a scheme to life.

For those wanting a gentler introduction to this colour, our Saffron Stripe or patterned Saffron Mika fabric offers a tempered alternative, and works particularly well in sunny, south-facing spaces. Or for a rustier interpretation of this colour, why not try our best-selling Russet Red Velvet cushion . All in all, when it comes to this month’s colour, we can’t help but echo Donovan’s appetite for this mellow shade of yellow. We’re all ‘just mad about saffron.’