Pink and rose are the typical colors that girls love. However, they do not have to appear sweet and demure, and for the very young only. There are beautiful shades of pink that are very delicate but also extremely refined. A little black is added to the rose hues which produces natural tones that one finds in stones, dried wood, delicate mother of pearl or in sandalwood. These are excellent hues for the small room because they create a very relaxing and meditative atmosphere.
It takes a good hand to combine the pale shades of rose, lilac and mauve so that they do not look insipid. They gain depth when combined with a sandalwood brown or stone gray. When cleverly combined, these delicate pastels have a special, poetic beauty. They look exquisite when used for flowing materials, such as shimmering silks, satins, soft wools, and fine cotton. Since these hues can not be clearly defined, they change continually according to the light, which gives them added subtlety.
To avoid having them look too feminine, it is necessary to use these soft hues for linens that are not over decorated with frills and embroidery. Plain curtains would be much more effective. The accent should be on simplicity in all accessories and linens using, for example, stripes instead of flowers, plain materials instead of patterns.
Furniture made of metal, or with very clear lines, will also add to the refinement and create a dignified contrast to these delicate hues. The grayish tones of pink and lavender, in combination with grays, browns and creme, will give the small room an extremely beautiful touch of luxury. These pastel hues will also make the small room seem much larger. The interplay of various materials, such as wool and silk, iron and wood, cotton and stone, will add a subtle interaction of contrasts, giving the small room a rich sense of understatement.
