La Vie en Rose: 7 Rosy Residential Designs Redeeming the Color Pink

From blush to fuchsia, it’s time to ditch your preconceptions about pink and discover how it can transform a project in both subtle and bold ways.

Francesca Mercurio Francesca Mercurio

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Throughout history, the color pink has evolved and embodied numerous cultural meanings and significations. From harmony and inner peace to wealth and approachability to its most recent, modern cultural association with femininity and millennials, pink is a color often avoided and misunderstood. Whether it is magenta, fuschia or blush, pink is never neutral; in the modern era, it is seen as a statement.

In the design world, the color pink can sometimes feel too bold or too harsh to incorporate into an architectural design. However, with the right shade and proper placement, the color pink can add character, charm and vibrance to a space without being too much. Don’t believe us? The following seven projects may just challenge your assumptions!

La Casa Rosa by Luigi Rosselli Architects, Sydney, Australia 

Victorian colonial architecture meets Italian lakeside charm in La Casa Rosa. The homeowners called upon Luigi Rosselli Architects to refashion their dwelling located in Sydney’s Bronte beachside suburb. Various craftspeople were commissioned for the project and as a result, this dwelling celebrates artisanship. From the joinery to the terracotta roof tiles, each detail was meticulously constructed by the best of the best.

The homeowners knew exactly what they were after and challenged the design team to create a home that embodied La Vie en Rose. To deliver such a request, the home’s façade is made of pink-toned concrete. The pink is subdued in tone, does not overwhelm the surrounding landscape and certainly emulates the charm of the Italian lake district. 

Photo by Nicholas Worley

Photo by Nicholas Worley

Pink House by Simon Astridge, London, United Kingdom

Located in North London is a single-family residence that favors muted tones to create a tranquil home atmosphere. Simon Astridge gave this neglected Victorian property a whole new life by using muted tones of concrete and plaster. To achieve and determine the perfect tone for each space, in-house concrete testing samples were used. Moreover, the interior and exterior effortlessly connect through their joint use of pink pigments. The exterior’s pink concrete is emulated within the interior’s pink plaster. These pastel shades create an overall warmth and nicely bounce off of the green cabinetry and plants found throughout the dwelling. 

Pink House by mezzo atelier, Ponta Delgada, Portugal  

A 20th-century stable in the Azores was transformed into two charming guest homes. The homeowners commissioned mezzo atelier for the project, who were tasked with the challenge of building a modern home while still keeping the rural feel alive. The design blends Azorean vernacular architecture with contemporary infrastructural techniques: the result is a light-filled and colorful home.

The interior spaces favor white walls with accents of ochre. While the exterior façade is colored with aged pink and ochre. The ochre tones draw on the Azorean tradition of framing windows and doors. However, in the case of Pink House, this visual trope is taken one step further and is used in abundance. The pink façade gives the home its character and makes it easily distinguishable among the surrounding landscape. 

Green pink blue. Apartment in Macedonia by Baulab Studio, Skopje, Macedonia (FYROM) 

In Macedonia’s municipality of Karposh sits a unique apartment that boasts a playful and chromatic aesthetic. Named “Green pink blue,” the residence blends an array of vibrant tones and the result is a lively yet harmonious space. The apartment is filled with strong gray tones — from the furniture to the accent walls, gray is found throughout the home.

To add vibrancy and color, the designers incorporated a series of accent pieces. From green couches, yellow chairs, blue bar stools to pink cabinetry – these bright tones thoughtfully contrast the strong gray palette. Despite such contrast, the bright tones all work in harmony to create a sophisticated and spirited dwelling.

Edgemont Residence by BattersbyHowat Architects, North Vancouver, Canada 

Located in North Vancouver, British Columbia is a single-family residence that is oriented towards a forested ravine. The homeowners wanted their home secluded despite its location on a subdivided lot and in close proximity to neighbors. To prioritize privacy, the front façade features carefully-positioned openings which purposefully frame the surrounding landscape while keeping the interior spaces hidden.

The use of pink in this home is thoughtful, concentrated and natural. A pink-tiled powder room features a slot window that connects the space to the pink coneflowers planted in the front yard. One of the special charms of this residence is the spectacular sunsets. At sunset, the opaque front façade absorbs the sunset’s pink tones, creating a dramatic yet calm aesthetic. 

São Brás House by fala atelier, Porto, Portugal 

A 19th-century Portuguese dwelling received a distinct and thoughtful upgrade. The home is located in Porto, Portugal and sits in an uncommon location — in a narrow alley across from a cemetery. The rather peculiar and confusing location is contrasted by the architect’s intentional and understandable design. The home is designed in an easy-to-follow grid form. Each room features a non-structural concrete column running right in the center of the space, which creates continuity and an easy-to-follow flow within each room. The exterior façade is austere in nature and minimally decorated. Pink and blue doors and painted lines adorn the home’s facade, which continues the theme of an easy-to-follow design.  

E|A APARTMENT by YAEL PERRY | INTERIOR DESIGNER, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel 

A renovated apartment in Tel Aviv was designed for a single-family that required adequate storage spaces. To accommodate this request, many pieces were custom-made for the clients. Bespoke black boxes are used to hide many of the home’s appliances such as washing machines and flat-screen TVs. Dark tones and trims are seen throughout the home, from the living room lamps, kitchen appliances and dining room table, the dark tones stand out against the white-painted walls. Color is incorporated into the home through pale pink accents. Subtle hints of pink are seen on certain walls, cabinets and drapes, thus creating a functional yet playful family dwelling. 

Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work through Architizer and sign up for our inspirational newsletters.

Francesca Mercurio Author: Francesca Mercurio
Part of the Architizer team, Francesca covers a broad scope of topics related to the built environment. Trained as an art historian at McGill University, Francesca is interested in architectural conservation and the ways designers are using historical spaces to better society today. Francesca is based in Toronto, Canada.
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