Best Paint Colors
9 Fresh Ways To Decorate With Pink
Published on October 29, 2015
Design editor Kai Ethier shares nine ways to decorate with the sweet shade.
I have complicated feelings about pink. I like it, but so often it’s used in a way that makes me think I don’t. I blame the garish hues used to sell things to little girls. Barbie pink and princess-y bubblegum everywhere… just thinking about it gives me a headache!
For me, the color pink — like most sweet things — is best enjoyed in small doses. Here are some subtle ways to play with this hue.
For a “Design Lesson” story back in 2014, H&H senior design editor Joel Bray took a basic Ikea kitchen cabinet, mounted it in an entryway and painted the front panel in Rosedust by Sherwin-Williams. The splash of unexpected color adds a little cheeriness to the neutral space.
Similarly, senior editor Sally Armstrong’s deep pink sideboard makes a vibrant statement in her clean white dining room.
A few years ago I decided to paint my own white mantel this, now archived, paint color from Farrow & Ball: Porphyry Pink. I’ve never regretted going for this romantic shade.
For our terracotta “Inspiration” story, my colleague Morgan Michener and I decided to pair Farrow & Ball’s Red Earth with a thin stripe of Nancy’s Blushes. The result is subtly feminine, and very sophisticated.
A true master of “the mix,” senior design editor Stacey Smithers covered the panels of this folding screen in lively pink wallpaper, and then placed it in a handsome traditional setting. The look is playful and eclectic, but totally livable.
When painting out entire walls, my preference is for a pale, neutral-toned shade of pink. Here, Pink Ground adds a soft, subtle blush of color. If you’d like a similar look, read on for some of my favorite pink paint options.
Pink Ground by Farrow & Ball is a great choice, as is Setting Plaster (I’m actually considering painting my bedroom this color).
Benjamin Moore’s Heads Over Heels and Fondant are both beautiful neutral options.
I also love Behr’s cool-toned Palatial color, as well as Antique Pearl, which is just a fraction deeper.