5 Ways to Use Pastels Successfully
In fact, local Chicago designer Anne Coyle seems to be an expert at using pastels in interesting, modern rooms. She recently relaunched an updated version of her website and as we checked out her portfolio we pulled these five examples....
1. Keep the pastels cool and pale and use them in a field of warm neutrals. This example has pastel pinks an turquoises but the creamy white lacquered table, gold toned metal accents and warm beige rug and sofa make the icy pastels stand out and look fresh and interesting.
2. Use a stronger, bolder version of your pastel's complementary color as part of the design. In this case, the pastel lavender walls are offset by the bold completmentary yellow pillows and chair upholstery.
3. Mix with darks. In this example, an icy pink velvet bed (!) and pale turquoise pillows and nightstands are mixed with deep grey walls and drapes. It feels candy-colored, but in a more grown-up, eclectic way.
3. If you are going to use it generously, use it only in one place. In this example, a very pale lavender is used as a wall color only. There is alot of lavender, but the sofa, artwork, window treatments, rug and floors all stay very neutral, which makes the pastel an interesting, but non-overwhelming, element of the design.
5. When mixing a pastel with a bright use plenty of white. In this example, a bright orange upholstered piece works well with the pale pastel yellow wall color, do to the doses of white in the artwork, pillow and paint trim.
Check out more of Anne Coyle's portfolio right here.
Images: Anne Coyle Interiors
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thumbs way down on the fur throw. other than that, i adore the punch of colour and layering of texture.
view summerlove's profile
Does anyone know where that side table is from??
view funiebunie45's profile
I've decided that I need pink pillows.
view alaylam's profile
I have always hated pastels. To me they are the epitome of boring and old fashioned. Mixing with darks works though. I've always liked the combination of pale yellow and grey with black.
view SJwashere's profile
I love that coffee table! Does anyone know what it is? I do like pastels when then are combined with just the right colors. Pastel pink with a sunny yellow or aqua with red is great!
view wabadee1's profile
I just hate fur throws in general - I find them quite tacky. But again I hate fur coats also.
I like pastels, but I'd probably do them in a smaller area - bathroom, maybe kitchen, or a child's room.
view ChrisGal's profile
Old fashioned or not, pastels are really pretty. And they're starting to look fresh again next to all the trendy turquoise, brown, or apple green interiors with "pops" of red, orange, or chartreuse.
view Lisa (Montreal)'s profile
Source for floor cushions in the first pic? Or does anyone know of any great floor cushions in general? I'm on the search for the perfect set for extra seating in my living room.
view gwylan's profile
When I was in Ligne Roset a few weeks ago, I saw lots of grey with orchid and lavender. Pastels may not be in "vogue" but purple sure is. It actually looked really pretty and softened the look of the furniture.
view queenbee1230's profile
i've been looking for an orange velvet similar to the one in the last photo. does anybody know of a resource for this?
view abgersten's profile
funiebunie45 -- side table in the first pic is the Pier 1 Bonaparte table. I got in on clearance a few months ago; it doesn't appear to be on their site anymore but you might find it elsewhere online.
view doodlebug's profile
thanks!
view funiebunie45's profile
barf
view robbiep's profile
anyone know the source of that cherry blossom fabric?
view Kpaige13's profile
i love the coffee table, too! any one have any ideas on something similar?
view pinknest's profile
Ah, looks like the coffee table is a Jean-Michel Frank. There are similar ones on 1st dibs: http://www.1stdibs.com/furniture_item_detail.php?id=126174
view pinknest's profile