With the state of the economy we can all use a boost. Put some cheer into your life with color this winter. Floral arrangements are the perfect way to accomplish this. Use brightly colored floral arrangements as warm accents throughout the house to bring an end to the winter blahs.

Bright colors energize us. For 2009 Patone has selected warm yellow as the color of the year. This specific yellow is called mimosa for the shade seen in mimosa blossoms.

If you’re creating a floral design as a gift yellow is a good choice for very outgoing people.

As with any floral arrangement you need to decide whether it will be monochromatic with many shades of yellow or a combination of colors. For a complementary color scheme, pair the yellow with its opposite on the color wheel. This gives a strong contrast between the warm and the cool colors.

For an analogous color scheme, use three or more hues of yellow that are adjacent on the color wheel.

Take the effort to choose compatible colors for yellow. When used with black, the combination has a suggestion of danger.

It is excellent when combined with blue. What can be more cheerful than yellow daffodils? In floral designs, combine these with blue spring-flowering bulbs.

Yellow conveys warm. It is the color of the sun, which is essential for life on earth. It fosters a feeling of cheerfulness and joy, a sense of hope and optimism.

Yellow is also linked to Apollo, who was the Greek god of poetry and music. This shade represents strength.

In Chinese history, yellow was an imperial color. In fact, the legendary ‘yellow door’ was the doorway to the emperor’s palace. Yellow was also used for Chinese robes during all periods of history.

Yellow was a traditional favorite in France. It was most often seen during the First and Second French Empire periods.

The ambient lighting can affect how we see color. When viewed from a sunny southern exposure, yellow will look much richer than it will from the light of a north-facing window.

Yellow is a vibrant primary color. When used indoors, it can be very stimulating and yet welcoming. This color makes us alert and relieves drowsiness. It makes us more attentive, and can boost our intellectual activity.

Yellow is associated with happiness and wisdom. This is a sun-drenched, happy, uplifting color. In the zodiac, yellow is associated with Gemini.

Yellow is also a symbol of spring. It is one of the warm colors, and evokes memories of golden summer days. As a warm color, yellow advances towards you.

Yellow can create just the right mood. It is seen as comforting. Yet, at the same time it is exciting and passionate. This bright color is symbolic of friendship.