Betsy Wentz shares with Pittsburgh Magazine: Barbiecore - How to Decorate with Pink
As featured in Pittsburgh Magazine Nest - "Ready to Think Pink? Here's How to Incorporate Barbiecore Into Your Home" by Megan Trotter, July 24, 2023
When the Barbie movie premiered in the summer of 2023, it was impossible to miss - that candy-coated, hot pink, high-gloss Dreamhouse aesthetic was everywhere. From fashion to home design, everyone wanted to live a little more colorfully.
At our studio, we loved it. Color and joy are at the heart of everything we do.
But as I told Pittsburgh Magazine at the time, incorporating a trend like Barbiecore takes a little balance. As I always say, you can't go into your closet and put on all your favorite clothes at once - you'd look ridiculous. The same is true for interiors.
While neutral color schemes dominated for the last few years, post-pandemic design is all about expressing individuality again. We're seeing a real resurgence of loud pops of color and pattern, echoing that maximalist, joyful Barbie aesthetic. The trick is making it feel elevated, not plastic.
Here is how we approach pink in our Pittsburgh projects:
1. Mix Sweet with Masculine -
This is my number one rule for pink. If you select a color like navy blue, charcoal, black, or warm gray, and you mix it in with the more feminine pink, it becomes a completely different element versus just the pink standing alone.
The contrast grounds it. A hot pink rug feels sophisticated when paired with a charcoal velvet sofa. A blush lacquered nightstand pops against navy grasscloth.
2. Think High-Gloss and Overscaled -
To get that whimsical Barbie nod in a real-life home, try finish over quantity. A high-gloss lacquered side table, a pair of oversized frames in Barbie's signature shade, or a bold, overscaled floral print gives you that playful wink without having to paint all four walls magenta.
Those bold colors and that fluorescence work really well in lots of spaces when you use them intentionally.Make it stand out
3. Start with the Layers You Can Change - You don't need to commit to a pink sofa to try Barbiecore. Start with the easy layers - bedding, artwork, picture frames, a lacquered tray, or a colorful rug.
I always suggest creating a color story that includes three neutrals you already love - maybe warm white, natural wood, and soft gray - and then adding whatever shade of pink speaks to you.
Don't be afraid to embrace trends. Just because something is trendy doesn't mean it's bad. When done with balance, it will absolutely stand the test of time.
The project photography featured in Pittsburgh Magazine is our Pulpit Rock project in Pittsburgh, photographed by Sargent Photography.
Is a little more pink in your future? We'd love to help you find the right shade.
Explore More: View Our Colorful Portfolio | See Our Press Features in House Beautiful, Domino & More | Read Design Happy: Colorful Homes for the Modern Family