p a s t e l . . .

Pastel

I was recently asked by another designer "How can you like pastels, they are hideous" .....welll....Apparently, pastel colors are a very touchy subject.  Most people either loathe them or love them…with very few holding a neutral feeling about the hues.  In my opinion, pastels are great, and a very large part of the eras that I re-interpret.  The 80’s and 90’s were full of pastels and I wouldn’t be doing the decades justice if I didn’t utilize them as well.   I believe the issue is that most people see pastels used in a very unflattering manner.  It all revolves around the taste level  Some of my biggest inspirations come from television and movie sets from the time period and the luxurious use of pastels runs rampant in most.  From Miami Vice, to the Golden Girls, here are a few sets that I find inspirational. 

The apartment of Selina Kyle in Batman Returns, 1992.  

While this is not the most extravagant example, the extensive use of the pastel pink with pops of pastel yellow( found on the lamp and chair)  and seafoam green ( the waste basket and mat in front of the sink) creates an interesting dynamic in a rather cluttered and small space.  

Miami Vice from the episode "By Hooker by Crook"

This set shows a cleaner and more subtle use of pastel.  The eggshell interior with clean lines and orthogonal shapes relies on the textiles and pillows to soften the space.   These softening details appear even "softer" because they are in such a calming hue.  This would be a very easy element to translate into a modern design.  

Golden GIrls , Interior of Blanches room 

The Golden Girls had a very specific interior style, their Miami Beach resort inspired home was not lacking in pastel.  This style is actually making a rather interesting comeback via the internet subculture and I could not be happier.  The use of green palm wallpaper and  olive green furniture 

Golden Girl Style.....Chair and image by Boca Do Lobo

While some people may hate them, pastels were a huge part of the 1980s, and 90s.   This is merely a sampling and I could provide a great deal more examples from this era.  It is time that the negative shadow cast over pastels is dropped and we start focusing on using colors in interesting and tasteful ways.  If you do not care for them that is your choice, but as designers we should never desparage a pier from exploring the use of any type of color.