Is Pink the New Neutral? Here’s What Designers Really Think
Elle Woods would definitely approve.
Thomas J. Story
The latest trend alert has us blushing: Pink dining rooms and living rooms are popping up all over the West, reports Lucy Condolora, founder and principal designer of Miller James and Mary. Maybe it’s the resurgence of the Legally Blonde fandom with the prequel series Elle, or perhaps people are simply choosing to have more fun.
“The paint on the walls that I am adoring is a barely-there pink,” she explains. “It is not white, it is not cream, and it is not pink with a capital ‘P.’ It is a whisper of pale pink that makes rooms feel decorated, intentional, and storied.”
Thomas J. Story
There are a few paint colors Condolora favors in this subtly hued, shockingly neutral category: Benjamin Moore’s Frosted Petal and Shell Pink, and three options from Farrow & Ball: Tailor Tack, Pink Ground, and Scallop.
But where do these pretty pinks belong? “Pale pink really sings in a traditional, older home,” Condolora says. “Older homes tend to favor the bold, or may have some pink already incorporated. It is not uncommon in LA to see a 1940s pink tile bathroom, or a Spanish style home with the exterior stucco a salmon hue.”
Thomas J. Story
Condolora says her “Lee Radziwill dreams” could be fulfilled in a Greek Revival, Tudor, Georgian, or Federalist home. Painting pale pink walls and keeping any white molding is one of her preferred pairings, along with heirloom mahogany and walnut pieces.
“Pink is so varied that there is no excuse not to incorporate it into your home!” Condolora says. “Feature it in your main living spaces where the light creates a warm glow and unfussy ambiance and can be enjoyed by all.” Here are her top recommendations for pops in pink in any home, plus products we found to try out the trend:
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