Up until this past week, my bedroom was still covered in dark gray plaid and wool from last winter. I was finally able to take some time to brighten things up and do something a little more appropriate to better match our recent 100 degree weather; maybe I’m already being influenced since bringing home our baby girl but I skipped my usual and went straight for the soft blush pink bedroom. We don’t mind a little femininity here, but since I usually gravitate toward more blues and greens, I also didn’t want our master bedroom to end up looking more suited for Eliza than us. Today, it’s still looking plush and cozy but a much better fit for summer (I no longer want to break a sweat just walking in and seeing charcoal fuzzies everywhere!). If you usually shy away from blush and other pastels like me, read on for six things to think about and ways to help keep your bedroom looking more “splash of pink lemonade” and less “pretty pretty princess”.
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1. Don’t Spring for the Pink Bedding
If you’re wanting to bring a small dose of blush into the bedroom, choosing pink bedding is a pretty sure way to make that “small dose” a “major dose”. If you’re set on a quilt/duvet in that sham, add more layers to break it up. Fold a white/neutral throw/quilt on top to keep it from being a large square of color. I traded my favorite gray linen quilt (yes, the one I have 45 of throughout the house haha) for white for a brighter background (HERE). Gray and pink are fine but I’ve felt in the past in our bedroom that it can look a little drab without a little bright white.
2. Consider Your Fabrics — Opt for Linen & Cotton Over Velvet, Satin or Fur
Rich fabrics look more fussy (i.e. a little more on the girly side) than something lighter (both in look and weight) like linen. When I decided to incorporate a little blush in our bedroom mid-summer, I basically achieved my entire look through a few “smart” throw pillows.
I added two neutral geometric threaded pillows just in front of the Euro shams, a solid linen-looking pair in front of those (they are actually indoor/outdoor but not nearly as still as what you might be used to!), and a structured coral stripe in front.
Don’t get me wrong — if you’re a regular visitor, you know I love the velvets and furs. I actually did grab this blush pink velvet pillow for Eliza’s room where I love the girlier addition.
But typically, if it’s in our bedroom or main living space, I now try to keep the richer fabrics in more neutral/blue/green tones. 😉 (All pillows were selected by me and gifted by one of my all time favorites, Tonic Living — for those who have had questions about my pillow sources in the past, there’s a good chance you can find them HERE.)
3. The Overall Style of the Furnishings in the Room Matters
If you have super traditional furniture or pieces or baroque accents that have more scrolls and curves, everything will likely read more feminine. Even in a more traditionally masculine color, the lines and styles matter. In our bedroom, we have more of a transitional vibe with a more modern tufting on our bed. The straight lights and “structure” help when I bring in lighter colors, like blush.
4. Skip the Pink Accessories
If you bring in some pink through pillows, a throw blanket, threading or trim on curtains, etc., you don’t have to repeat and dapple that color throughout the room to make sure the color scheme is evident. I did enjoy some peonies in our bedroom (the first I’ve grabbed in two years) but that was more of an accidental exception 😉 If I had brought in more pink through accessories like vases, and picture frames, it would have felt “too much” in our room.
5. A Little Nature Keeps the Vibe Balanced
Just how I feel straight edges and flat button tufting reads more “masculine”, I think some natural elements like baskets and washed wood bring out that same balance. Instead of seeing pink and leaning toward more reflective pieces (chrome, mirrored, shiny ceramic, etc.), go the opposite way with pieces that look a little more rough and raw.
I loved these linen colored pillows so much, I added them to the sitting area, too. These will for sure, like my other favorites, be on rotation throughout the house indefinitely 😉
6. Put in On the Floor
So… what if you want to try out blush for something different and pillows aren’t an option? Or, you don’t want pink pillows? Where else can you put it without it looking like a bottle of Pepto-Bismol? When color is on a wall, it makes an obvious color statement. If you’re wanting to go more subtle, try it on the floor. Even the most reserved can get away with bolder rugs than they would typically go for — my office rug has so many colors and patterns but it still comes across as a total neutral. Here are a few pretties that look a little bolder on screen but would be gorgeous against a balanced background.
And when all else fails, embrace all the girl-iness and do a full photoshoot in your sweetest pale pink gown and velvet bow haha. For sources, go ahead and scroll to the bottom of the post. Forgive me while I throw out a little can’t-help-it Eliza Nan spam haha
She’ll be a month old tomorrow and I don’t think I’ll be putting the camera down anytime soon.
All of my tips are made through trial, error, and observation. Have other tips for making pastels more neutral? Let us know in the comments below! For more home projects, updates, and tips (ok, and let’s be honest — Eliza), you can sign up for updates at the bottom of this post.
OTHER POSTS YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN
- Favorite Bedding (My Go-To Power Couple)
- Bedding Capsule (Key Pieces to Assemble Any Bed)
- How to Mix Bedroom Furniture Finishes
ROOM SOURCES & DETAILS
Paint: Simply White by Benjamin Moore
White Linen Duvet Cover & Euro Shams| HERE (in White) | 700 Thread Count Sheets | Bed | Nightstands | Moses Basket Bassinet | Ceramic Vase (holding peonies) | Striped Center Front Pillow | Blush Pillows | Neutral Pillows | Oversized Chairs (no longer available- SIMILAR) | Ottoman (no longer available- SIMILAR) | Garden Stool | Bench | Bird Art Print 1 | Bird Art Print 2 | Moulding | Woven Shades (Bali White; Cordless) | Leaning Floor Mirror- HomeGoods (SIMILAR) | Chandelier | Bedside Lamps | Floor Lamp | White Sitting Room Lamp | Gray Rug in Sitting Nook (5×7) | Chunky Cream Wool Rug (8×10)| Sheepskin- Costco | Eliza’s Gown & Bow: Lou Lou & Co.
I have missed your posts and know you are in heaven with Eliza Nan. Beautiful bedroom and of course precious pictures of Eliza.
Beautiful bedroom refresh – but oh my, that wee lass just brings joy to this post;.
Hugs.
She is precious, just precious! I’ve been looking for an update so thanks!
She’s beautifully and wonderfully made and is the best accessory in that bedroom! ❤️
SOOOOOO happy for y’all! OMG, Eliza is just the cuuuuutest lil’ darlin’ !! Congrats all around, hope you and Dave are enjoying an equal ratio of sleep and joy!! As the mother of 2 sons (in their 30s now), and likely in chorus with all of your parental followers, time FLIES by so dang fast, so take each moment in and relish every bit!
Beautifully and tastefully done, and Thank You for the Eliza Nan spam 😇
Beautifully and tastefully done, and Thank You for the Eliza Nan spam!
Your baby girl is soooo precious – enjoy taking all those pictures!!!!
Love your bedroom. So clutter free and restful. Liza Nan is adorable. Now I look forward to sweet pictures of her.
Every pink detail is perfect! (Especially sweet Eliza Nan!)
I was thinking blush pink velvet for my bedroom pillows but you’ve definitely changed my mind, I’ll be looking for linen now. Can I also borrow Eliza Nan for my photographs too, she’s the perfect accessory 💖
Nan,
I couldn’t be happier for any little baby in this world. She is so incredibly lucky to be blessed with you as parents. She is about the sweetest little pea pod in this world – and she’s sooooo pretty — those little curved lips…ahhhh. And the wonderful capture of her laughing in her sleep — just priceless. Blessed indeed.
Jan
Great post, but don’t bother in the future if you don’t at least include one photo of Eliza!!!! Darling baby girl!
Eliza is precious and she has the cutest smile! The soft pink is very elegant and perfect for a summer refresh. Looking forward to more pictures of Eliza!
Beautiful Kelly, love your style!! AND that smiling baby!
Beautiful!!!! Oh and the bedroom is stunning too 😉 Congratulations on your new addition! I can’t wait to see more of her! 😁
Thank you so much!! I will definitely not be able to keep her off of here so you can def. expect more haha
Hi!
I absolutely love your bedroom makeover! Where is your gray headboard from? If you could share that with me I would greatly appreciate it!
Thank you!
Hi Lindsey, I have the headboard and some alternatives linked in my March post on looks for less in the master. I hope this helps! xoxo
Do you have a direct link to the bed on Wayfair? The provided link goes to the bed/furniture page. Thank you.
I do! The price on it right now is really high: https://rstyle.me/+ub00Af5lQHu6KrKaZCic7Q I also just did a “look for less” post on our bedroom and listed a few similar options https://kelleynan.com/master-bedroom-look-for-less/
Do you have the name or style number from the bed purchased on Wayfair. The link only goes to the site and not a direct page.
Hi Jillian, I have the headboard and some alternatives linked in my March post, looks for less for the master. I hope this helps! xoxo
Love this room! Can u tell me where the grey bed frame/headboard is from please? Thx 🙂
Hi Ellen, Thank you so much for stopping by! The headboard goes in and out of stock constantly from its source. Please check Wayfair from time to time. They seem to stock it often.
Thank u…can u tell me the name of the headboard and did u purchase it from Wayfair? Also it appears the pretty pink velvet pillow is no longer on the site (Tonic)
Simply love this room! Cute wee baby too 🙂 thx
Hi Ellen, Thank you for visiting and for your sweet words. The headboard is sold by several retailers and has different names. It’s made by SunPan. Recent names include Taro and Jackie. It sells out often!
Hi! Do you happen to have the links to the exact pillows you have? I am so crushing!
Hi, Loni! Unfortunately, this is the only one (the middle blush one) that’s still available (still one of my favs!) https://www.tonicliving.com/collections/all-pillows/products/quinto-22×22-pillow-rose-quartz?aff=kelleynan They have since come out with a couple of new pillows, which I love with it, too! https://www.tonicliving.com/collections/all-pillows/products/hyden-stripe-20×20-pillow-blush-pink?aff=kelleynan and https://www.tonicliving.com/collections/all-pillows/products/misto-12×24-lumbar-pillow-coral-pink?aff=kelleynan I hope this helps <3
Hi! I love the bed and chandellier in this photo. When I click to view the bed, it goes to the homepage of Wayfair. are you able to provide more details on the specific bed you show in this photo?
Hi Jocelyn, Thank you for stopping by. The bed is made by SunPan and is sold under various names by different sources. Most recently, it was sold as Taro and Jackie. It sells out often!
Hi Kelley,
I love your posts . You have a unique style that I’m in love with. I’m planning on shopping this look for my master br.. can you advise on the mattress that is used for this bedset?
Thank you!
Hi and thank you so much for stopping by! Our mattress is a TempurPedic. I wish you the best of luck in your new project!
Hi,
Beautiful room! Would you mind sharing the paint color?
Hi Jessica, Thank you so much for stopping by and for your kind words. The current color is Simply White by Benjamin Moore. We have been very happy with the change.
Hi can you please tell me where the light is from? I have been searching the internet x
Hi Lydia, Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by! Here’s a link for you for the chandelier.
https://rstyle.me/+YAfE0giBtdbNUYC_4UAbGQ
Can you suggest which PB fabric is closest to your sitting room chairs and where you got the side table between them? Thank you!
Hi Kim, Thank you for taking the time to stop by. The closest fabric is ivory linen. I always prefer the Performance Fabric. It appears the table is no longer available.