The Barbie Edit

SPOILER ALERT: IT’S ALL PINK.

Pickleson founders Alex and Rachael in their home. (Not really. it’s Ryan Gosling and Margot Robbie).

 

FEMINIST MASTERPIECE OR CONSUMERIST MUCK?


Who knows!? Not us. It’s Friday afternoon and we’re struggling to care.

What we do know is that Greta Gerwig’s somehow 'controversial’ new Barbie Movie features a huge amount of pink. And we don’t mind a bit of pink… Pink is the colour of our tins, our hearts, and roughly a quarter of our entire paint range - which thinking about it - seems a little excessive.

Since launching in 2020, we’ve been anything but shy about encouraging you to topple the patriarchy be bold with your choice of colours, and we’re hopeful the sets of this mad little film will further inspire you to free yourself from the shackles of ‘greige‘ (whatever the fuck that is) and get right stuck in to some pink!

Below you’ll find our ‘Pink Edit’. A guide, if you will, on how to use pink in in your very own Mojo Dojo Casa House; from full-scale cardiac inducing onslaughts, to delicately creating light, elegant spaces.

Kenjoy!

Diving in at the deep end we have: Disco Pink.

Look, it’s really pink. But you already knew that… If you’re even considering using Disco Pink, you know the drill. You’re brave, you’re a great shag and everyone wanted to be you at school.

This shade isn’t for everyone’s walls, but that’s what makes it disco!

This little dreamland comes courtesy of Alba de la Fuente’s brain, with the help of Olga Roth, created for Tylko.

Pair Disco Pink with Casa Blanco for a crisp look, use alongside softer shades like Fresco or Sangria Pink or go full on Studio 54 with Drunk Tahini, Filthy Terracotta and Tarte Tan for company.

 

Turns out, we’re not the only one’s with fantastic taste. Some of our favourite places to visit have used pink - in various degrees - to create spaces fit for any Barbie (or Ken - we’re not ageist)…

The Gallery at Sketch London before they decided to make it look like Matthew Williams’ living room.

From left to right, Gleneagles providing a luscious blush in arguably the world’s most photographable Powder Room. Gloria using lovely, subtle notes in Shoredicth’s answer to Capri (the bathroom downstairs is also well worth a look) and Brixton’s Le Bab, where you can indulge in a naughty shawarma without ever getting cellulite, allegedly.

Disco Pink kitchen, anyone? Conversation Pit? Threesome?

 

Now, one Ken who know’s his pinks is television’s Matthew Williamson.

He - in his infinite wisdom - decided to paint his entire living room (ceiling an’ all) in Pickleson’s very own Lido Pink.

Sometimes almost a neutral, sometimes the star of the show! This colour really transforms with the light it's touched by and the colours with which it keeps company. Take a leaf from Matthew’s book*, get some on your walls, take a seat and watch it roll with the seasons.

*Matthew Williamson does actually have a new book in which Lido Pink is the cover girl. You can pre-order now via this link.

Paint: Lido Pink by The Pickleson Paint Co. | Photograhy: Damian Russell. | Styling: Matthew Williamson.

Matthew ‘I'd like to see what kind of nude blob he's packing under his jeans‘ Williamson in his beautiful London home.

Pair Lido Pink with Porto Cream or Just White to keep things sweet, combine with Drunk Tahini and Tarte Tan for a beautifully mellow combination or go punchy like Matthew and sling it next to Hackney Gold.

 

Ladies and Gentlemen, please allow us to leave the world of Barbie behind for a moment as we pop over to the equally unusual but no less beautiful world of Wes Anderson…

Budapest Pink was born out of our love of all things Wes. His sets have inspired more than one of our colours, so if you detest some of our punchier combinations, blame him. However, for those of you on the right side of history, forget all white everything! Paint your house bright pink! Viva la Couleur!

Get your hands off my Lobby Boy!

Once described as Wes Anderson’s wet dream (by us), this love letter to all things Wessy can provide fabulous results when paired with Jalapeño Red, muted by Fresco Pink and Sexy Marsala or contrasted with Jurassic Black or Veneto Verde.

 

We get it, you love pink but your Ken is kicking up a fuss about “not wanting pink walls”. Firstly, leave him! But alternatively, have you considered not using pink paint at all?

Here, Le Nozze Stone is used on the walls, ceilings and window frames, creating a soothing, elegant and neutral space that even the suits at Mattel couldn’t argue with. Instead, life is bought to the space with Jan Hendzel Stuio’s Mowlavi Sofa and Armchair in Soft Pink.

Paint: Le Nozze Stone by The Pickleson Paint Co. | Furniture: Jan Hendzel Studio. | Prints: Hand and Eye Studio. | Rug: A Rum Fellow. | Ceramics: Fariceramics. | Lamp: Lights & Lamps. | Photograhy: Fergus Coyle. | Styling: Amelia Annfield & Roshani Patel.

East End Clay providing a warm, almost backdrop to Jan Hendzel’s bedroom design at Town Hall Hotel.

 

So far, we’ve managed to successfully show you how pink has been used by some of the UK’s finest establishments, world-famous fashion designers and Wes Anderson. But what about if you’re not Wes Anderson and you live in a flat in Glasgow… or two-up-two-down Birmingham? Well, let us be the first to tell you, that hasn’t stopped this lot! And nor should it stop you!

Below are some shots of our pinks used to great effect in the homes of our customers. Our top-notch, visionary, one-of-a-kind, don’t take shit from nobody customers…

Paint: Pickle Blue, Budapest Pink, Fresco Pink, Lido Pink and Sangria Pink by The Pickleson Paint Co. | Styling and Photography: Caitlin Miller.

The wonderfully bonkers home of Richard O’Gorman a.k.a House Homo.

Paint: Budapest Pink, Fresco Pink and Jalapeño Red by The Pickleson Paint Co. | Design: Evoque Lab.

So there you have it - a bit of an ode to a colour that brings us joy and might just be more usable than you think.

Whether you’re Guns Blazing Barbie, Open To Experiment Barbie or Neutrals Barbie, there’s a shade of pink to make your Barbie Dream House your own.

Bye Barbie!

Alex Kirby