How To Tastefully Design A Barbiecore Dream House

The summer of 2022 could be unofficially called “The Summer of Barbiecore”. After photos of Margot Robbie as the title character in the upcoming Barbie were revealed in the film, the Barbiecore aesthetic began to permeate fashion and interior design. It’s easy to see why. After a pandemic and such a dark time, people are drawn to nostalgic symbols and happy colors like pink. Thankfully, it feels like Barbiecore is here to stay.

“Pink is no longer just for eight-year-old girls or summer drinks — or summer for that matter,” says Anne Hepfer, interior designer and author of Mood. “Pink has always been a favorite that always gets invited to the party. it’s pretty It is happy. [Even] The subtlest little touch of pink is always a pleasant surprise. And I don’t see it going anywhere for a while.”

Still, it’s a bold decision, and if done improperly, Barbie’s dream home can suddenly turn into a Pepto Bismol-colored nightmare. Therefore, it is important to design wisely and choose furniture and decoration that will stand the test of time. Think more sophisticated and less “Come on Barbie, let’s go party”.

Go bold

Barbiecore rooms require an element of fearlessness. “If that’s what you’re into, lean on!” says interior designer Jennifer Hunter. “Just keep it tasteful by making design choices that convey a fresh and updated take on the brand.”

While Barbie may have a reputation as a modern girl, Barbiecore really brings something special to more traditionally designed spaces. For example, Hunter used bold pastels like pink, green and aqua in a project she was working on in Palm Beach, the ultimate setting for the barbiecore aesthetic.”[These colors] feel both cheery and playful, with jagged sofas and jagged edges on the coffee tables and mirrors, fun surfboard art, collections of seashells, and even a collection of straw hats. It celebrates the beach lifestyle that Barbie is so famous for without being over the top.”

However, Barbiecore is also a great way to complement more modern spaces, especially for those who love color. “My designs are the epitome of what Barbiecore is all about – over the top, full of colour, glitter and bold,” says artist and designer Elizabeth Sutton.

While pink is most associated with barbiecore, other colors can also capture the same essence. Purple, green, and even bright blue can make a room just as cheery as pink. Using a multicolored element like Sutton’s I’m On Fire wallpaper evokes this mood immediately.

Small details can have a big impact

While interior designers know how to create chic barbiecore looks, the average person just going for a refresh on their own probably doesn’t want to take the look that far. More subtle barbiecore details and pink decor can add pizzazz to the aggressively neutral spaces that have been so popular in recent years.

“If you want to try a smaller dose of the trend, try incorporating three to four different complementary colors into your decorative objects. Think white furniture, pink throw pillows, a bright yellow candlestick, and a neon blue coffee table book like Assouline’s mixed with dark wood, acrylic, and brass tables,” says Sutton.

Or just add pink accents, “Pink accents can go a long way. The entire room doesn’t have to be done in that hue, but you can incorporate it by mixing different hues without fear of positioning it next to complementary colors,” says Hunter.

To take it a step further, JL Design chief designer Jessica Davis suggests mixing it with red. “Think of a pink powder bath with a red blanket, or if you don’t want to commit too much then add fun pink velvet pillows with red tassels, add a multicolored pink duvet cover to your bed or a fun pink throw in your bathroom .”

Or opt for different shades of pink, explains Fanny Abbes of The New Design Project. “Anchoring a room in a calming shade of pink is a great place to start, then add accents in coordinated hues to really make the room shine.”

A great example of this is Abbes’ Brooklyn townhouse project. “We used different shades of pink and maroon to keep the design of the room tasteful and not overdone,” she says.

Create a pink gallery wall

Creating a pink gallery wall or hanging pink artwork throughout the home is a smart way to add a Barbiecore element for the long haul. “When I started ArtSugar in 2017, pink was our primary brand color. Pink and really any bright color are my personal favorites,” says Alix Greenberg, founder of ArtSugar. “Hot Pink is still a big seller for us.”

She tells me, “Adding pops of color to your space can be done so tastefully and goes well with the neutral tones you already have in place. Our acrylic wall smilies, disco balls and even Barbie themed framed prints can brighten up your walls without taking them too seriously. I think art should be fun and a reflection of those who live with it. So if you love color like me but want to keep it tame, add one of these to your gallery wall for that barbiecore look without the big splash.”

Mix it up with pink textures

“Pink is a bold, powerful color camouflaged in soft, inviting femininity. Adding pink accents to a room, whether in a preppy bubble gum or a glamorous fuchsia, adds a dynamic touch. We love a textured or shimmery pink to add a little drama with velvet or flocked wallcoverings,” says Kellie Burke, owner and lead designer at Kellie Burke Interiors.

Choosing pink wall coverings like Party Pink Tweed Wallpaper by Housewife Essentials with pink throw pillows, pink linens, or a throw blanket can easily create this sublime look. It’s also worth noting that Housewife Essentials has an entire line of Barbie doll art called “Party Girls” that goes well with all of the brand’s wallpaper offerings.

Go barbiecore in the bathroom

A Barbiecore bathroom can range from sophisticated to downright cute. The easiest way to incorporate the look is to use pink towels or white towels with a pink (especially pink) monogram or pink piping. Then swap out cold stainless steel hardware for rose-colored knobs and handles. Paint the walls pink or opt for any pink wallpaper. Then add pink or Barbie doll artwork.

Those who can undertake a more extensive renovation may want to choose a pink stone like Artistic Tile’s Rainbow Onyx. This neutral hue of this stone brings out the barbie core while still feeling chic and most importantly grown up.