Thinking about pink: 2020 Color of the Year

Wrenda Goodwyn • special to the Fort Myers News-Press • October 26, 2019

It’s a good day to think about pink.

If you’ve been craving something pink in your palette, but have been afraid to make a commitment, this could be it. Living room accent wall with Benjamin Moore First Light 2102-70 on walls; White Heron OC-57 ceiling. Photo: Benjamin Moore

Actually, think about that pretty dusty glow first thing in the morning when the sun is coming up. Before the hot, Florida sun has brightened everything up. That’s First Light 2102, Benjamin Moore’s Color of the Year 2020.

Let’s face it: pink has been a popular, trending color for several years. In fashion (I give you Lilly Pulitzer), accessories and paint. We see lots of pink in Southwest Florida. Especially at the beaches. Every time I go to the beach I pass a beautiful pink home on the beach with the blue gulf behind it. I’m certain that I was meant to live in that home.

Photo: Benjamin Moore

These color of the year announcements from paint companies are fun and playful. Not to be taken too seriously. It doesn’t mean that you are meant to redo your home every time a new color is highlighted. It’s just something to consider that you may not have when refreshing your home.

As a Southwest Florida interior designer, my job is to help my clients select what they like. Not what is trending. I present choices that are best for their home within the guidelines of what they like. We make it all flow together when creating a color palette. Get the color right and you will have a happy home. Miss the mark and something will always seem off.

My take on First Light 2102

It’s a happy color. Not sugary sweet.

A fun neutral between cool and warm. It’s should not be taken too seriously. This is not an in-your-face color.

To me, it presents an alternative to white or beige that is modern and refreshing.

It plays well with other colors. Some examples:

Colors that work well with First light. Photo: Benjamin Moore

If you have been craving something pink in your palette, but have been afraid to make a commitment, this could be it.

How to use it

I love this color for ceilings and trim. Pair it with Decorator’s White or Simply White on the walls in a bedroom or dining room and you have a gorgeous room.

When selecting color, I always go with colors that are found in nature. This one certainly is, so don’t be afraid of it. A bathroom, living room or office that need a change would be perfect.

Bedding, pillows, accessories, window treatments in a white room.

Photo: Benjamin Moore

Give it a test run as an accent color. Or a throw for your bed or sofa.

A new decade

“We selected First Light 2102-70 as our Color of the Year 2020 to represent a new dawn of idealism, design and living,” said Andrea Magno, Benjamin Moore Director of Color Marketing and Development. "First Light 2102-70 reflects a new definition of the home – a shift in mindset from the material to satisfying the core needs in life: community, comfort, security, self-expression, authenticity and ultimately, optimism.”

I think we could all use a strong dose of comfort and optimism. If First Light can give us that, I am all for it!

Wrenda Goodwyn is a Southwest Florida interior decorator, A.S.I.D. associate and gold member of the Interior Redecorators Network. She helps homeowners throughout Southwest Florida with timeless, affordable ways to create beautiful spaces and solves decorating problems. Her article appears the first Saturday of each month. For more information visit her website at spectacularspaces.com. Call her at 949-1808 or e-mail wrenda@spectacularspaces.com. For more decorating tips, articles and photos, visit spectacularspaces.com/blog