The Barbie Effect
Having a life-size Barbie doll house may be a little far-fetched, however, you may not be surprised to find out that it is forecasted for the pink trend to continue into the new year. From Barbie accessories to pink floral wallpapers, here’s how Barbicore is impacting the interior design world.
Whether you’ve seen the new Barbie film, or just have fond childhood memories, the trademark hot pink is synonymous with a feeling of youth and happiness. Throughout history, the colour pink has been associated with a sense of class and luxury, with it being said that pink was Madame de Pompadour’s (chief mistress to King Louis XV) favourite colour. Coming into the 20th century, it has been argued that the colour pink was used to reestablish traditional Western gender roles, with many toy isles plastering girls’ toys in ‘Millennial Pink’. This, alongside many LGBTQ+ movements adopting the colour, emphasised the degree of association between pink and femininity.
21st Century Barbie
The fashion industry is no stranger to the ‘Barbie Pink’ trend, with the interior industry not far behind. So, how can you implement this into your home and designs?
Pink and interiors have gone hand in hand for centuries, from 16th-century pink lime-wash kitchens to vintage bedroom decor; how and where you choose to add this versatile colour is up to you.
Selecting various hues of pink is a great way to add a subtle touch of colour, perhaps adding pink tiles to your bathroom or warming up your living room with a rose-coloured throw. The impact this colour creates is mighty, even from the smallest of additions.
The key to adding pink to a space, like any colour, is to ensure balance. Whether that be creating a complementary scheme by adding splashes of green/blue or sticking to the trusty 60-30-10 rule, pink is an easy way to bring life and light to any space. (Explore more about colour matching in my post ‘Finding the Perfect Match’).
A personal favourite way of using pink is to create contrast. Using a soft and subtle pink and pairing it with harsh black finishes, deep woods and stone textures, is a fun and unique way to play around with the colour and often results in a truly memorable design.
No matter how you see it, Barbicore is here to stay for a while. Enjoy it from a distance, or dive straight in with a hot pink kitchen, this colour has endless possibilities, and I, for one, can’t wait to see what trends this colour has in store!
Bye, Barbie!