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Chloe Redmond Warner, the president of Redmond Aldrich Design, sums up this trendy color with one straightforward sentence: “Pinks are here to stay.” After years of recognition as the defacto hue to describe an entire generation, and even more still as a gendered emblem of supposed “femininity,” pink can often be seen as either a trend that’s lost its luster or a tradition that’s run its course. But in Warner’s view, this shade doesn’t have to be taken so seriously, especially in terms of design.
“For starters, colors are for everyone,” Warner continues. “They evoke emotion, and pink brings a sweetness, but it actually has an unusual benefit: Pink is flattering on all skin tones. You just can’t say that about every shade.”
Its adaptability is what makes pink perennial, and since it can complement almost every other color on the wheel, Warner says it should be used with abandon. “It’s all about what you pair it with,” Warner adds. And with that equally straightforward sentence, Warner clued us into the ways in which she picks out pink paint colors so that they’re always seen as a shade that enhances a space. Since pink is here to stay, there’s no reason for it to be limited to certain labels.
What to Consider
Colorful furniture can be an easy way to incorporate more personality into a room, regardless of its shade, but pink can be particularly versatile. In rooms with a neutral palette, pink furnishings can act as more vibrant accents. And in kaleidoscopic spaces, they can appear subdued. Warner’s take? When choosing a finish for pink furniture, go with one that has a sheen.
“Try a glossy pink on a piece of furniture,” she notes. “I have a pale pink bedside table that has been making me happy for years.” Warner also says that you should still be strategic about which pink pieces get to shine. “Shiny paint is like capital letters—it’s perfect for adding definition, but if you use it everywhere, people will think you’re screaming at them.”
Matte finishes, on the other hand, should cover walls. Pink walls can be the backdrop for a range of neutral or bold furniture, but she recommends thinking about blue, black, or even mustard yellow accents.
How to Style
In the Kitchen: “I would go with a pale pink cabinet or paint the inside of cabinets a brighter pink as a treat when you open them,” Warner says.
In the Living Room: “Go for it and paint the walls—something darker with gray in it would be perfect and sophisticated,” she adds. “You could also do it as a beautiful ceiling.”
In the Bedroom: “Opt for something soft and paint it all over the space,” she continues. “Do the trim and walls in the same shade.”
In the Bathroom: “Push for something bold, especially in a modern bathroom,” Warner notes.
Paint Colors to Try
If you want something edgy…
Farrow & Ball Setting Plaster: “This color is perfect for when you want the prettiness of pink with no sweetness,” Warner says. “It’s edgy and borderline ‘bruise,’ but it makes artwork pop and turns into a great neutral.”
If you want something unexpected…
Philip’s Perfect Colors Perfect Pink: “This color is so beautiful on a ceiling or in a stairwell,” she says. “It only looks pink when it’s next to white, otherwise it reads as white. So I use it when I want that flattering glow on a ceiling but in a subtle way.”
If you want something subdued.…
Benjamin Moore Ecru: “This is a very subtle option and another one that only looks pink next to white,” Warner adds. “Call it a gateway pink.”
If you want something cheerful…
Benjamin Moore Queen Anne Pink: “This is a pink with a peachier feeling, but it doesn’t feel nursery-like in the least,” she says.
If you want something bold…
Benjamin Moore Odessa Pink: “This is a pink that’s stunning and a statement,” Warner says. “We used it in a fancy clothing store, McMullen, and it sings.”
If you want something mysterious…
Farrow & Ball Calamine: “This pink is a chameleon,” Warner notes. “It’s like the inside of a shell—soft, kind of purple, and just so pretty.”
If you want something with red undertones…
Farrow & Ball Red Earth: “This is a deep terra-cotta color—it’s totally timeless,” Warner says.
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