Rethink Pink: Can these rooms be turned into a tablesetting?

Forget little girls' rooms: Pink is a color for any area of the house.
Hot pink, soft pink and every shade in between are in vogue. Pink is showing up in accent pillows, wall paper, dishes and even bathroom doors. (above images: Oprah Magazine)


The pop behind pink:
In addition to carnations, prom dresses and lingerie, it harkens to the personal downside of the tough economy (pink slip), a classic cartoon ("The Pink Panther"), a pop star (Pink), a movie title (Pretty in Pink) or a television character (Pinky Tuscadero). (above images: Jean-Louis Coquet, Paris Noir, 5pc place setting, $325.00, Michael C. Fina; powder room at Provence Soho Restaurant).



The color’s strength:
Two words of advance for fashion mavens this season: Think pink.
Apparently, designers put on rose-colored glasses to design their current spring and summer lines, since that's what we're now seeing in stores. (above image l to r: Oprah magazine;Philippe Starck Baccarat black gobblets, Neiman Marcus).

Part of the color's strength seems to lie in its malleability. While it's often perceived as soft and girlie, it can take on a sexy slant when paired with black.


On the table:
Adding a bit of unexpected color can be a nice surprise for your guests. I recommend that people who are thinking about adding pink to their table shouldn't overdo it initially. A safe bet is to introduce it as an accent color. Pink can be a great color for a table napkin placed next to a black and white tableware. A dining table could include pink roses in a black vase or mix and match and add a pink charger or a pink salad/dessert plate with your table setting.
(images above row 1: Oprah Magazine, Ombrages dinner plate, Raynaud, $75.00, Bloomingdale's); row 2: Domino magazine, Uliveto Serving Bowl, $275.00, Nambe, Bloomingdale's).


The perfect touch:
Use pink however you feel comfortable. Hot pink and soft pink send very different messages. Hot pink, like red, conveys flirtiness or sensual passion. The hotter pinks are more high-energy colors, and are best used on tables where people congregate for a lively party.
Conversely, soft pinks are associated with innocence and relaxation; they are better used during quieter occasions like a small intimate dinner. (images above row 1: Zvizz by Orrefors vase, $105.00, Bloomingdale's; row 2: Marimekko Ruusupuu coffee mug, $9.50, Rosewood tea towel, $10.50, finnstyle).


No matter what shade you choose, pink is flattering to any tableware and will casts a warm glow on almost any table. (images above row 1: Fitz and Floyd tea set; row 2: Ladies Who Lunch, $40.00, Rosanna).

Beyond that, pink is just fun!