Ask any little girl under eight her favorite color, and chances are, 9 out of 10 will respond with a joyful, “Pink!” Before my daughter was born, I had no idea there were so many shades of pink. It’s as if their entire world is drenched in it, almost to the point of squealing with delight. But for reasons that might trace back to our early ancestors, girls just can’t get enough of it.
When I decided to redecorate Mia’s room—once a lively office painted a bright apple green—I was not aiming to raise a princess swathed in tutus and sparkly accessories. Yet, here she was, as usual, decked out in pink: butterfly-embroidered leggings, a shirt decorated with blooming roses, and dazzling pink sandals gifted by a doting grandmother. I tried guiding her toward other colors, but her solemn promise to wear them tomorrow fell flat. So, it was no shock when she insisted on a pink room.
“What do you think about a vibrant orange?” I suggested with an excitement that only an adult could muster when trying to persuade a child.
“I want pink!” she replied, her tone leaving no room for negotiation.
“Okay, how about Tangerine?” I added with a playful shimmy, hoping to invoke images of tropical dance parties. But Mia was done with my games.
“PINK!”
Tip One:
If you’re planning to redecorate your child’s room, make it a surprise and start while they’re away—maybe at preschool or Grandma’s. Kids tend to love whatever you do, especially when surrounded by the magic of freshly painted walls.
As we drove to the paint store, Mia declared, “I want my room to be The Enchanted Garden.” The conviction in her voice told me she’d been thinking about it.
Her older brother, Oliver, perked up from the backseat. “Do you want faeries in there?” he asked.
“Yes, faeries! And butterflies!” she exclaimed.
Oliver chimed in, “What about a rainbow?”
“Definitely a rainbow!” Mia thought for a moment. “And a unicorn.”
“Anything else?” Oliver encouraged.
“Maybe a giant spider?” he added, eyes gleaming with mischief.
I was starting to feel overwhelmed, realizing I might have to somehow blend outer space and whimsical insects without scaring my five-year-old. As they described the giant spider’s legs creeping down the walls, adding a few faeries suddenly felt like a breeze.
So, back to pink—the options are nearly endless. Hot pink, pale pink, peachy, mauvy, Dusty Rose, Morning Glory, and those whimsical names like Razzle Dazzle and Secret Rendezvous. I grabbed three sample jars, hoping to narrow it down.
As the samples dried on Mia’s wall, she peeked in and gasped, “Not that much pink! I want the whole wall pink!”
I tried explaining that we were testing shades, but I could see her mind racing—what must she think of me?
My husband, a big fan of minimalism, suggested we tone it down a bit. But that plan was quickly derailed when Mia spotted a sample called Easter Bunny on our next paint store visit.
Tip Two:
Avoid taking your kids to the paint store. Too many choices can lead to confusion, and they’re naturally drawn to the brightest, most garish options.
“Look, Mia!” I exclaimed, holding up a light shade. “This one is almost the same as that one!”
She waved the Easter Bunny sample triumphantly, “This one!”
I tried to explain it was just a shade lighter, but Mia wouldn’t hear it. Meanwhile, Oliver was spinning in a chair, curious about what a bonnet was.
Seizing the moment, I managed to return the Easter Bunny sample and sneak in a jar of Pink Peony instead. However, upon testing it, I realized it was more of a shy, vanilla color trying to fit in at a pink party.
Tip Three:
Always start with paint samples. Colors on a wall can look vastly different than what you see on a paper swatch under fluorescent lights. This can save you money and prevent the headache of living with a color you regret for years.
After three trips to the paint store and five sample jars later, we finally settled on Ballerina—soft but not washed-out, sweet without being overly saccharine.
“But where are the faeries?” Mia asked as I was painting.
“They’re flying in, just as fast as the mailman!” I assured her. I knew when they arrived, they’d find Mia’s Enchanted Garden as delightful as she did—until, of course, her next obsession with turquoise and horses kicked in.
In case you’re curious about more parenting tips and resources, you might want to check out this blog post for some extra insights. And for those on a journey of home insemination, Make a Mom has invaluable information. Plus, Rmany.com is an excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination topics.
Summary:
This article recounts the humorous challenges of redecorating a little girl’s room, emphasizing the love for pink and the imaginative ideas that come with it. From navigating paint store chaos to blending whimsical themes, the journey showcases a parent’s attempt to create a magical space for their child.