The journal

Barbiecore Interiors: Hot Pink - FTT-006™ - Is Mylands' Colour of the Year 2023

01 February 2023 4 min read

The world first met Barbie when Mattel unveiled her at a New York toy fair back in 1959. Yet, more than 60 years on, Barbie is having her moment. Her celebrated pink aesthetic and feminine forms have become a serious design trend in both fashion and interiors, a look now known as Barbiecore.

Home office with vivid FTT-006 Shocking Pink walls and crisp White Hart No.51 skirting — FTT-006 Shocking Pink walls with White Hart No.51 skirting in a home office

Why now?

Greta Gerwig's hotly anticipated live-action Barbie film, starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, arrives in summer 2023, and even before release it has driven the return of bright Barbie pink. We've already seen the hot-pink Barbiecore look in fashion, with stars like Lizzo rocking it, and of course the pink aesthetic is a TikTok microtrend. So if you've ever dreamt of living in your own real-life Barbie Dreamhouse, this is the trend you've been waiting for; we're sure you and Ken will be very happy in your pink Barbie world.

Dressing room with walls, ceiling and cupboard fronts all in FTT-006 Shocking Pink — A dressing room drenched in FTT-006 Shocking Pink from cornice to skirting

About the hot-pink colour

Interest in hot pink is always strong, but we've seen a sharp increase over recent months, with the rise of Barbiecore a key reason. It may also be exactly what we need post-pandemic; once again the world can feel uncertain and disheartening, and this Barbie pink's uplifting effect makes it a perfect antidote, with warming pinks bringing happiness into any home.

Maximalism has grown in popularity too, an opulent style all about making a statement with pattern, texture and colour, and vibrant pinks like fuchsia, magenta or bubblegum certainly tick that box, delivering a strong, positive statement. Simply adding a warming pink wall brings a cheerful burst of energy and positivity, and it's likely to make you smile, which is really what Barbiecore is about, fun and happiness.

Roll-top bath painted FTT-006 Shocking Pink in a bathroom with White Hart No.51 walls — A freestanding bath in FTT-006 Shocking Pink against White Hart No.51 walls

How to style Barbie pink interiors

Your five-year-old self probably loved decorating your Barbie Dreamhouse, and today Barbiecore stirs comforting feelings of nostalgia and simpler times, but do you want your real home to look like your childhood dolls' house? If painting an entire home pink feels intimidating, start with details: accent a room with bright pink skirting or a doorway for dramatic contrast, or paint an alcove or bookshelves in pink to create an eye-catching nook.

Dining room with White Hart No.51 walls and spindle chairs painted FTT-006 Shocking Pink — Dining chairs painted FTT-006 Shocking Pink against soft White Hart No.51 walls

Another option is to embrace Barbiecore in a small area, a home office, downstairs loo or en-suite, and instead of a fully pink kitchen you could try hot pink in the pantry or utility room. Mixing pinks is a good idea too, pairing pastel and bubblegum with deeper, richer tones like magenta, fuchsia or raspberry.

Tiny cloakroom painted FTT-006 Shocking Pink with blush and raspberry pink accessories — A small cloakroom in FTT-006 Shocking Pink with pastel and raspberry accents

Mylands Colour of the Year 2023

It seems fitting that we at Mylands, House of Colour, are naming FTT-006™ our Colour of the Year for 2023. A bold, bright pink made from a strong mix of red and magenta, FTT-006™ is a captivating hue with unique character and energy.

Cottage bedroom in FTT-006 Shocking Pink with White Hart No.51 skirting and alcove shelving — FTT-006 Shocking Pink bedroom walls with White Hart No.51 skirting and alcove shelves

Our CEO Dominic Myland says: "FTT-006™ is an unfailingly cheerful and bold pink that's proving not only incredibly popular but also more enduring than just another fad. It's a confident shade with the power to completely transform a space, and its intensity makes it hard to forget. Hot pink is playful and eye-catching, and though it's the colour of the moment, it's a stylish shade you won't tire of any time soon."

Slightly darker and less feminine than pastel or blush pinks, FTT-006™ pairs well with soft neutrals for a toned-down scheme, or with pale pink, lilac or crisp white for something bolder.

Utility room with FTT-006 Shocking Pink walls, White Hart No.51 shelves and folded linen — A utility room in FTT-006 Shocking Pink with White Hart No.51 shelves and neutral linens

Mylands paints on stage and screen

Did you know Mylands has a long history of working with the British film, TV and theatre industries? We've created colour for the industry for over a century, and our products have featured in some of the world's greatest productions, including every Bond film, Game of Thrones and Downton Abbey. In 2023 our FTT range features in the hotly anticipated Barbie™ film.

Discover our range of pink paints and follow our trend updates on social media.