Pink decor moves out of the nursery and into the rest of the house.
If there is any one color to be associated with femininity and girlishness, pink is it. We all know that today in western culture there is a commonly held belief that pink is for girls -- hello Barbie, fairy princesses and ballet! -- and blue is for boys. Interestingly enough, pink was actually associated with boys from the 1920s to the 1940s.
According to a Ladies' Home Journal article from the 1920s, "The generally accepted rule is pink for the boy and blue for the girl. The reason is that pink being a decided and stronger color is more suitable for the boy, while blue, which is more delicate and dainty, is prettier for the girl." Wow. Times definitely have changed! In the 1940s, these gender specific color assignments inverted and took on the familiar role they play today.
Today, the color has taken on a more versatile role, especially in decor. Sure, many expectant parents still get excited about painting a baby girl's room pink, but the color has moved into other areas of the home.
"Pink can definitely be versatile and work in many types of decor," says Serena Dugan of Serena & Lily. "The more subdued pinks can act as neutrals and blend with many environments. A nice, neutral pink can even work beautifully in a living room."
But not just any pink. As far as Dugan is concerned, "The key is finding a shade that looks like it came from nature, not from a factory. One of the most beautiful pinks around is the inside of a conch shell."
Traditionally, pink has been paired with softer beiges and whites to maintain a pretty, feminine look. But it is possible to make the color more edgy and gender neutral, although it might be hard to break through the strong girly associations. "As a result of our youth, the color pink has been conditionally hardened into our brains with feminine associations," says Shayna Kulik, trend forecaster and editor of Pattern Pulp. "Whenever we try to make it edgy, or try to sell it to a male consumer, the feeling is immediately rebellious, as it goes mostly against the grain of the traditional American upbringing."
A perfect example of this is a painting of 24 gridded squares Kulik did to fill dead space above her TV. "Three shades of pink made it into the compilation. Interestingly, my boyfriend is not a fan of three pink squares -- he immediately asked me to repaint them!" Well, we can't win 'em all.
But there are several colors that when added to pink make a cooler, edgier palette. "Finding a less common pink is a way to edge it up," says Dugan. "The standard carnation pink will never be edgy, but a deep vibrant coral paired with khaki is less predictable but really appealing." For a more sophisticated pink palette, Dugan also loves pairing pink with neutrals like camel brown or French grey. One of Kulik's picks include combining strong and soft shades of pink with gold, as seen in the collage above. Personally, I love soft, powdery pinks paired with pops of bright, shocking red.
As far as we're concerned here at ShelterPop, pink can work anywhere in the house. I was recently inspired to paint my bedroom a pale, pale pink, and love the flattering glow it gives off. Much better than harsh white! Pink can act as a soft neutral, or take on a feisty, bold role in the form of a bright accessory. Check out all of the great pink options for your home below.
This article is taken from- http://www.shelterpop.com/2010/11/12/pink-decor/
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