Pink is a tint of red, or red with white added to lighten the color. Pink can also go red-orange (Coral) or red-violet (Magenta aka “Hot Pink”). It can be youthful, fun, exciting, and some shades even have the same high energy as red. They are sensual and passionate without being too aggressive. The softer pinks are often associated with romance. It is the color of joy and happiness, and for women the attraction to pink can speak of a desire for the more carefree days of childhood.

Inspirations of pink in the past and present have been rooted in the designs and lifestyles of a few iconic people.

In cosmetics and cars…

In fashion design…

In 1947, fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli introduced the color “hot pink” to western fashion. She dubbed the shade “Shocking Pink,” though today the color is more well-known as “magenta.”

In interior design…

Inspiration for Men…

As a trendy hue pink can stand alone in a Monochromatic palette veering slightly away from red being influenced by purple resulting in a bright magenta or by orange as a clear soft coral. In color combinations pink paired with orange in a Diad harmony is fresh, new, and conversational. Building off  today’s high-contrast in color trends, complementary schemes with pink plus blue-green, green, or yellow-green blend the masculine cool side of the color wheel with the warmer, lighter, more feminine hues. And going off the wheel putting pink with yellow in an experimental combination is warm, fueling feelings of optimism and creativity. So how does pink translate into the interiors of today? Let’s take a look.

Monochromatic…

Diad Harmony…

Complementary Combinations…

Off the “Wheel” schemes in pink and yellow…

I saw a post on Jill’s blog when I visited again after first learning of ‘Forever & Ever House’ when I posted my thoughts on the entries for “Spring green roundup”.

Jill was sharing that her four year old daughter wants a new room color. You can see the entire entry on her blog but here’s how it begins…

There was ONE exception to the “need to renovate” rule at our house and that was my daughter’s bedroom. Seventeen years ago, when our home was built, it was painted a very pretty, classic shade of yellow and it has remained that way to this day. So, when we moved into our home I said to myself “Self…well, at least THERE’S one room that doesn’t need to be painted.”

Madison’s bedding and valance from our starter home even had some yellow in it and with a few strategic placements of art, the nail holes in the walls from previous owner’s art would be covered.

Easy-peasy. Yippy Skippy.Well, you know where this is leading now, don’t you?

My daughter really wants a pink room!

Kate suggests…

Well Jill if you end up painting yet one more room my first thought is to pick a hue that you and your adorable daughter can live with for years to come so you aren’t repainting it again anytime soon.

My suggestion would be to go for a paint color that tends to be softer and more neutral than say ‘Barbie Pink’. Here are some examples from Pittsburgh Paint but similar colors can be found from other brands.

Each of these fits your daughter’s demand for pink but may also appeal to you since as you mentioned on your blog you love natural things and neutral colors.

From warmer pink to cooler pink as you go from left to right

Another natural pink you might consider is Pink Ground from Farrow & Ball. Even non-pink lovers like this neutral pink.

Pink inspired by the vintage French rose called Cuisse de Nymphe

In this month’s House Beautiful magazine they quote interior designer Ann Dupuy as saying the following about this color, “This is a very serene pink, the color of an old French rose called Cuisse de Nymphe, which translates as the thigh of a nymph. So charming. And everybody looks good against pink — that’s why men wear pink shirts.”

You have great style and I think going with a color scheme that suits your little girl now but can morph into a new scheme as she gets older would be perfect.

Pink and brown might be a good place to start. All of the pinks I mention would look wonderful with almost any hue of brown from light tan to deep, rich chocolate.

Stretched canvas design in pink and brown by Kelly B. Rightsell

You can use mostly pink with just touches of brown now but could expand the color scheme at any time. So many other colors could work with this as a starting point. Think green, aqua, sky blue, lavender, even tangerine or the right red.

The color scheme Julie (style expert and editor of our Live In Full Color blog) used in her daughter’s room is a wonderful example. She chose a pink, green and brown scheme with a few blue accents.

The walls are Georgian Green from Benjamin Moore. Like the hues of pink I am suggesting this color is quite neutral. The bed linens and window treatments are a mix of pink, green, tan/brown floral, check and print fabrics plus a touch of blue.

Julie has combined new and vintage items and many hues of each color. This approach has given the room charm and interest that wouldn’t be achieved if all of the furniture, fabrics and accessories were the same style or matched exactly.

I love the touch of blue and Julie said that she likes to always add a bit of blue to every girls room. You can see how she has added the blue in with the mirror, shelf, and in the plaid of the throw.

Jill I hope these suggestions spark your imagination. You are so creative that I feel certain that Madison (and I) will love whatever you decide on.

***Readers if you have other ideas or suggestions I welcome you to add them in the comments. I’m sure Jill would love to hear your thoughts too!***

Resources:

• Type in your zip code for a list of Pittsburgh Paint dealers near you.
• Type in your zip code for a list of Benjamin Moore dealers near you.
• Do you have a color dilemma? Post it in the Makeover Gallery at RoomVues.com and you could be the next reader to have your color question answered on the Color For Your Home blog.

**Please note: Due to individual computer monitor limitations, colors seen here may not accurately reflect the paint colors. Please refer to an actual sample of the paint for an accurate rendition of the color.

“I have chosen to do my daughters room in pink, black and white. I don’t want a light pink, but I don’t want Pepto Bismol either.

She is 11 yrs. old and we are going to put black and white self adhesive polka dots on the pink. Any suggestions? –gg

Kate’s suggests…

Pink, black and white is a great choice for you daughter’s room. A classic color combination that is often associated with the 1950’s, poodle skirts, and rock and roll this combination has stood the test of time and polka dots are a natural in this colorway.

Many designers, artist and do-it-yourselfers enjoy creatively using pink and black polka dots. Here are a few items found on etsy that make imaginative use of this theme: tags from paperologie, the tote from baffinbags, or the hanging tiles from parischicboutique.

Pink, black and white is a popular color theme chosen by young women on Polyvore’s outfit editor site as seen in the outfit above but women of all ages seem to find this combination appealing as you can see by the response to Grace’s post about this color combination on her blog Design Sponge.

Just like the Donghia fabric I wrote about recently Madeline Weinribe has given an updated look to this suzani fabric through her use of pink and black.

While once considered mainly a feminine or “girly” color it has acheived more widespread popularity among members of both sexes as I talked about last month on Live In Full Color.

As you already recognize walls painted pink can make a bold statement and some hues of pink may be overwhelming. I think that the key to enjoying the color for years to come is to chose a pink that is a bit more sophisticated and let the polka dots add the playfulness that attracted your daughter to this color scheme and decorating style.

A middle value hue will give the room the fun feel I believe you are after but it will also be restful enough so that your daughter can have a peaceful “beauty sleep” each night.

The wall in this room designed by Diamond Baratta and featured in House Beautiful are covered in Ralph Lauren’s Spectator Pink in linen, which goes beautifully with the black and white houndstooth rug. This is the intensity and value of pink I would recommend.

A couple of other options might be Silk Kimono #MS011 from the Martha Stewart collection, Berry Red 2 #LA202 or Plaster Pink 2 #302 both from Laura Ashley Home or Valspar’s Seaside Retreat Pink Flamingo #SR504 all of which are available at Lowe’s.

We’d enjoy hearing how the project turns out and having you post before and after pictures on RoomVues.

If any of our readers have suggestions for other pinks that they have used successfully please let us know in the comments.