Pastels

Pastels are BACK! No nursery here…

The word “pastel” typically can be bundled up into a series of stereotypes: Easter eggs, little girl’s bedrooms, and how could we forget the 1980’s? Although these are the first images that come to mind, pastels today have re-emerged into the design world as a bright, airy and calming option in retail, health-care and residential settings. Pastels don’t have to be “baby blue” or “baby pink”. They can have just as much depth and presence to them as a more vibrant and typical color.

This room could be both feminie and masculine; it's all in how your perceive color.

Guys like pastels? What? NO WAY!

One misconception about pastels is that they are solely “feminine” colors. Men aren’t too keen on the idea of using pastels in their man caves because they have a girly connotation. However, pastels can be defined as pale grays and blue-grays, which are very masculine hues. So no worries, guys, you can paint your walls with pastels too!



Pastel blue is paired with stainless steel, gray and sharp white to give a very masculine feel.



Pairing up the pastels

Sherwin-Williams focus on pastels in a few trend palettes. “Vintage Moxie” interprets the retro colors of the 1950s and ‘60s. They not only exude a carefree attitude that is being seen in current fashion trend but with the economy being the way it currently is, people want to get the feeling of fun back into their lives and décor.

Pale green green sofa with pale yellow walls compliment one another while using an orange to add depth & dimension.

How can you use these in your home décor without looking like a dollhouse? Hues like SW0074 Radiant Lilac, SW6771 Bathe Blue and SW0025 Rosedust are coupled with black and white to give a more modern edge. Pastels typically need a strong color to accompany it to give that “adult” ambiance. With pastels being slathered on retail stores, having a contrasting bold color is key to making it work. Combinations of bright red serve as an assertive accent against lavender walls.

This vingette demonstrates the use of several pastel colors. Both the purle and blue shown are pastels and when paired together they make quite a statement. Soothing blue walls calm the ambiance of the space, creating a welcoming feel.

Where can you see this fresh array of pastels? Think of places where you would see this, other than in a nursery? Soothing, gender neutral pastel hues can help you calm down and feel relaxed, so places such as spas, health-care facilities and the hospitality industry are just a few spots that would benefit.

I love the pastel freen used on the sofa. With a view like that, you want your furniture to slightly fade away in the background! Notice the bright blue in the adjacent room.

Bringing pastels into the home...

Painting your home can be a tricky business. Be aware of some pastel colors such as a soft yellow. When pairing it with other complimentary colors such as blue it can take on a green cast, completely altering the color. Yellow doesn’t always provide the best coverage and tends to reflect colors surrounding it.



This gray blue is sublte amongst the subtle tones in this living space. I love the pop of red in the floral!



Pastels can be best used in smaller spaces like a bedroom or a bathroom. When deciding on the right color, select the color of choice and then pick a shade lighter. Once color is spread on the surface, it becomes a little more intense. Maybe you decide to put a pale blue on the wall. A great option when pairing a contrasting color is maybe installing a complimentary tile on the floor, like a yellow and white patterned tile.

Pastels can easily be incorporated into your home. Try it out and see what you think!