Often associated with children's bedrooms and girly spaces, pastels aren't as one dimensional as they may be perceived. In fact, they can be quite dramatic, ethereal and downright stunning in some instances. These colors also have the ability to create a nearly neutral backdrop for your space, incorporating just a hint of color. Love it or leave it — what do you think?
(Images: 1. Fryd Design, 2. bolig, 3. home is where the heart is, 4. BHG, 5. Apartment Therapy | Leah & Rich's Evolving Patina House Tour)
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Timelessly womanly...Unless it's offset by neon and then it's a bowl of trenderoni and please.
All these spaces make me go "ahhhhh"--but then, yes, I'm a woman. I can't argue that there's anything masculine about pastels. But done right, as they are in these examples, with a few grounding touches (some darker accents) in a simply, unfussy style, I feel they transcend girly-ness and become truly soothing and uplifting, regardless of gender, or so I imagine. They certainly work that way for me.
I'm not a fan of pastels for myself (I prefer a stronger palette) but these are really nicely done.
I really like the use of pastel that doesn't really scream pastel, as with the mint green kitchen. My first thought was "Ah, mint!" rather than pastel green, which are both obviously one in the same.
Nope. Never liked pastels, to wear or to live with; still don't. I even plant my garden for stronger hues or neutrals with lots of textures. But I agree with Madame Suggia that some of these rooms are well done, though not my style.
"Trendy or Timeless?" is an irrelevant question, as far as I'm concerned. I go with what I like, always.
That said, I join the company of Gillianne and Madame Suggia in preferring saturated colors --- in fashion, in gardening, and for the home.
Doesn't trendy nearly always, ultimately, become timeless? You just have to hang onto it long enough, which I'm guessing most of us who frequent this site have a hard time doing.
I love saturated color (in moderation, with the right complements) and rarely wear pastels myself, but I admire pastels done well. I bored to death by purely neutral color schemes, though they are soothing; I like these rooms because they give subtle oomph to a basically neutral feeling without detracting from that soothing quality.
Pastels don't appeal to me in any shape, style or form. Just.....no.
One year I'd like to try a winter decor and a summer decor. Pastels would definitely go into my summer decor.
These are really pretty and use just enough dark accents to ground them. They don't feel particularly trendy to me. The things that will be trendy are these light fixtures and the hide on the floor.
Pastels can be on trend, and still be timeless. They can also be tacky and outdated. All depends on the implementation.
I prefer neutrals and stronger colors, but I do have a pale aqua bedroom (pastel) and a mint guest bath (pastel), so I can find uses for the color range. (Never pink, though!!)
I say timeless, but I'm biased. There are a heck of a lot of pastel colors in my house. Seven years later I still love them and find them soothing.
I think pastels can be timeless. If it weren't it wouldn't keep resurfacing as a trend. You just have to do it right. I love pairing a pastel with its jewel tone color. Like if going with pastel blue, use blue glass vases as accents. It's a great way of fulfilling your love of more saturated colors but in a more subtle way.
Pink and mint, no. Aqua, sky blue, pale yellow, lavender...yes. IMHO
I am a big fan of cool pastel colors. They remind me of cottages on the beach. Easy, breezy, fresh and airy. I especially loved the kitchen photograph.
I think it's completely dependent on the space. Our kitchen has been mint green for years, but we picked the color because it looks awesome and Just-Retro-Enough with the teak-colored wooden cabinets that came with the house. But the color we use in our bedroom is peacock blue, because it's a bright, tree house-like room that needs to be both feminine and masculine so my husband doesn't feel like he's sleeping in a pink mess.
There are arguments for pastels as well as full saturation, but both call for a deliberate, purposeful choice to be done right.
I agree that pastels are timeless - I have been kind of chuckling, seeing pastels labelled as a "trend" for spring fashion as well as decor....aren't pastels ALWAYS part of spring clothing? But no, I couldn't live with them very well, especially not with pastel pink, which reminds me of a baby's room.
I don't like pastels that much. I prefer bold colors, or at least more contrast, and there just isn't as much contrast when it comes to pastels.
The pink sofa in #4 keeps the room from being a corpse. A neutral would be safe and lifeless; a deep color would be too weighty; a bright color too jarring. The pink upholstery (and the flowers and the curvy chandelier) makes a nice balance to the serious wall color and the several lines of all the furniture.
I don't understand why people think men should be allergic to pastels. If a pastel room makes a man feel emasculated, he can't have been that strong to begin with.
In the case of #1 and #4, yes, timeless and beautiful.
these look okay but if i tried, it would look like the golden girls.
Pastels have been used by Swedish designers for decades with wonderful results. It all hinges on implementation. Also, muted pastels are much more versatile and timeless than full-on, Miami Vice pastels.