Can you do Peach and Pale Blue?

 

 

 

 

 

Have you ever surprised yourself by what you like now? Especially at a time when I am seeing trends from my past resurface ( ie, pastels, mauve, 80's and 90's retro styles), I feel both nervous and excited. How can we redo past design wrongs? This post was inspired by images sent to me by my dear friend (and style icon) that were in her inspiration file.  At first I was a little scared of the thought of peach and ice blue, flinching at thoughts of Florida condos gone awry, but then (with the help of the last image) my fears turned to desire! Maybe I can try something new in my palette oeuvre. How about you?? Are trying new things that you once thought you would never do? And ultimately can you do peach and blue?

images: in the now weddings, german architectural digest, martha stewart, belle maison,  elle decor - I think (from elizabeth's file).

      

Comments

[Elizabeth]

ooh, i love this challenge. i think to some degree i personify color, so that when there's a certain color combo that's been used and abused, I like to play fairy godmother and see if i can make cinderella look good again.

i think my tastes go along the timeline continuum of ... love it...like it but it's a little over used...don't prefer it at all...hate it...feel sorry for it...look at it with embarrassed, personal nostalgia (relate to it's goofiness)...wonder if it could ever inspire again in the right setting...find the right setting and love it even more than i did long ago...

For me, the right setting usually has something to do with surprise. Some print or new color compliment or design piece that wouldn't have gone in those fla. condos way back when. Something that can make an old boring color combo feel simultaneously new/exciting and comfortingly familiar...

such a fun topic!

[Kristie Barnett]

I think I could do peach and pale blue before peach and mint green. In 1988, I did my dorm room in peach and mint green. And it was bad. When a client tells me they like peach, I always cringe a little: I know I'm going to have to work hard to get their taste updated. It might work better with cutting-edge types - it's about the right combinations and confidence, right? And like you said, who ever thought mauve would work again? You got me thinking!

[Brigitte]

This is bringing back memories of painting my mom's dining room when I was very, very young. Must have been about seven.

I like the first two images a lot but would be wary of the extreme contrast of the third. That's so rare for me, since I usually love to pile on color. Perhaps I'm having an emotional reaction to the trauma of growing up in the 80s. :-)

[havilah]

if the peach is a little on the dark side and the blue is a little bit aqua. then yes. :)

[Heather]

thanks for all your comments. this is so interesting to see the reaction a certain set of colors can bring. what is it about our collective memory that has some set of aversion to this particular combo. thanks elizabeth. you explained it so well! brigitte, hope i didn't ruin your day! :(

[lisa h.]

Boy, peach, that's a tough one...those photos are great, but the spaces themselves seem pretty fabulous. The spare room we stay in at my boyfriend's parents' house has a low ceiling and poor natural light, and his mom painted the walls peach (her favorite color) and I just find it so cloying and oppressive in that space. Ack.

Having said that, I did purchase some peach and ivory striped linen on a whim a few weeks back. I would probably pair it with a stronger color though, like maroon or a darker grayish blue.

[lisa h.]

Haha, I think *this* is what we are all remembering about peach from our 80s childhoods:

http://uglyhousephotos.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/phx80sdecor3.jpg

I also associate it with polished cotton. And "Southwestern" desert-themed decor.

**shudders**

[Courtney]

I'm not sure I can do peach at all! But that last photo would be the one to change my mind as well.

[Krista]

I love the cupboard bed!!

[uglygirl]

I love it but only if the blue has green tones like the one in the first photo.

[Ruthanne]

I love peach, peach and blue, and orange with blue, but I managed to avoid it in the 80's since my parents never updated our green shag carpet and golden flower couches until well into the 90's!?! I'm thinking of painting my kitchen peach. Not sure if I'll add blue yet, though. Most of the rest of the rooms in my house have blue as it's my favorite color, I never tire of it.