Guest Picks: Pastel Pretties to Perk Up Winter Decor
With Valentine's Day coming up, you might want to start testing recipes. A heart-shaped pie? Looks tricky.
Inspired by Eames’ Hang-It-All, this dot-topped hanger would be perfect outdoors for my Florida condo, for all those damp towels that usually come in and get left on the floor. Perhaps the colors would inspire my family to clean up.
I discovered Eskayel, a wallpaper company in Brooklyn, several years ago. They’ve since expanded tremendously to fabrics, rugs and more. The patterns are fantastic and organically artistic, though pretty pricey.
I just overhauled the bookshelves in my living room. Out went years’ worth of magazines. But as for glossy art books, I can never have enough. I love the pastel colors on the cover of this book. They’re in such contrast to the edginess of the rendering itself.
These ceramic cups from Japan have an ash glaze that resembles iron. I love the industrial urban exterior juxtaposed with the pink surprise inside. Plus, they’re so tactile — I can almost imagine what they’d feel like in my hand, warmed by tea.
I do not boast a pink kitchen, but these Japanese-made ceramic stacking mugs are pale enough to be a neutral. Sometimes I just want to be a bit feminine.
These bud vases by ceramicist Brian Giniewski have a naïve, child-like feel. I wonder how he accomplishes those overlay drips? It’s probably tricky, as he was trained at Cranbrook Academy of Art.
I thought these ombré placemats were cotton, but they’re actually woven vinyl, which is even better. The blue ones are subtle enough to work just about anywhere, but without being boring.
A watched pot never boils, but it’ll be more fun to stir with with pretty pastel spoons — especially if you’re slaving over a winter stew, or in my case, risotto.
These geo-faceted melamine bowls are fun for kids or outdoors on the patio. Pink and gray is kind of ‘80s, but with the addition of rose, this combo looks fresh.
This set of glazed porcelain tapas plates by Royal Doulton makes the perfect hostess gift. The colors are handy for keeping track of whose crudités are whose too.
In case you can’t tell, this is a light fixture. The neo-baroque silhouette is rendered in neon and blown glass. It would definitely add edge to a little girl’s room.
The design of this little aqua bedside table by Kenyon Yeh Studio is ingenious. It can be pushed flush against the wall for maximum functionality, while still maintaining a curve around front.
I would spend my days on this midcentury modern Wave chaise by American architect and designer Adrian Pearsall. It has been reupholstered in the prettiest sky blue fabric.
The watercolor-splotched bottom of this Lucite tray is so pretty. It reminds me of sprinkles on a vanilla frosted birthday cake.
This pillow is the perfect addition to my collection in my South Florida condo. It already includes a flamingo pillow and a fun pastel triangle pillow by Beci Orpin, and they look great on my white Ikea couch.
This pretty ombré design reminds me of my Gypsy05 summer maxi dresses. I’d bring this handwoven blanket to my condo in South Florida in case it’s ever chilly there.
Quarters — for the Boston meters in front of my apartment — are instantly set aside for the car. But I’d put this pretty little house bank by Ferm Living on my desk for the rest of the small change.
I'm not a great gardener (too sunny, too buggy, too dirty), but I do love to cut the flowers and put them all over the house. This milk porcelain dipped vase by Robert Siegel Studio would look so sweet with a few small roses.
The hospital green hue of this conditioner bottle is perfect in a classic white, subway-tiled bathroom, preferably perched on a glass shelf. It should invigorate your scalp, too.Next: 9 Downright Modern Ways With Pastels
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