Meet Mr. Pink and Mrs. Orange
Happy Pants Decorator Extraordinaire, Jonathan Adler, is no stranger to the tangy zingy zip of the wonderous color combo der pink und der orange. He likes it–a lot. And why wouldn’t he appreciate it? He loves happy things. Happy colors. Happy shapes. Happy houses. Happy, snappy, happy, happy. D’uh. Pink and orange are the do, rae, mi in your drop of golden sun.
Feeling dumpy or sad? By all means, it’s time to take a cue from Mr. Adler and “banish the blues with pink and orange!” But wait. Let’s not forget from whence Adler’s inspiration comes. Guest blogger, Sandi Vincent, hops in her time machine (or more likely scours the web until she’s bleary-eyed) to bring you a dose of the Prozac™ of all color combinations–pink and orange.
Let’s hear it for pink! Let’s hear it for orange! Let’s hear it for Sandi!
Putting the Mod in Modern — The Affair of Two Lively Colors by Sandi Vincent
Allow me to introduce you to a fun couple, Pink and Orange. They don’t get out as much as they should and never turn up in the same places as the Beiges and Taupes. In fact, they’ve been fairly low key for almost 40 years.
A color legacy of the swinging ’60s was the marrying of pink and orange in décor and fashion. From Alexander Girard’s revamp of the Braniff airline’s look using Herman Miller colors to the trés groovy flight attendant uniforms for PSA, pink and orange were the “it” combo for a time. Companies used these hues to convey their progressiveness and energy.
In a world of tasteful neutrals and safe design choices, I encourage you to invite in this delightful pair for a visit. You might be surprised how much you enjoy their company, most particularly in the long grey winter months.
Admittedly, it’s easy to see that there’s such a thing as “too much of a good thing.” Witness this complete commitment to a very unique homeowner’s fevered vision–the Palm Springs time capsule. Approach with caution as viewing may induce flashbacks.
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Photo credits top to bottom: Lead-in photo: Palms Casino Resort, Barbie Suite, designed by Jonathan Adler, Photo #1 : Marion Hall-Best Interior, from “The Best Style. Marion Hall Best and Australian Interior Design 1935-1975″ by Michaela Richards via Mary Quant on Flickr, Photo #2: Pacific Southwest Airlines –photo saved from Gene Gable’s first airplane ride ticket jacket from the fabulous article, Heavy Metal Madness: Come Fly With Me. Photo #3: How To Make Your Windows Beautiful, Vol. 11, 1967 via threadbare on Flickr. Photo #4: Ad from Seventeen Magazine, September, 1967 via sugarpie honeybunch on Flickr. Last photo: 1965 time capsule via 50s Pam found on Flickr.
I'm Holly, the author of Hollygab. I write about vintage clothing, fashion, interior design, shopping, other pressing matters. Many Hollygab musings have to do with purging my obsessions. 
Beautiful colors. My friend Donna, just painted a wall in her office orange and I have some terrific orange suede boots. Now for Pink, I have the pink purse that friends want to borrow and a fabulous pink and white dress. As for the pink and orange together, i haven’t gone that far yet. Perhaps I’ll give it a try. Orange suede boot with the pink and white dress????
As usual, Ms. Vincent wows us with her MCM color intellect and awesome photos. Mr. Pink and Mrs. Orange, you aren’t divorced after all?
Arlene–welcome! Give your pink and orange a try. It’ll make you feel snappy!
JMD–Hi there! Mr. Pink & Mrs. Orange just had their 45th anniversary. I would have preferred that they just accent things with something shiny and silver, but I suppose there’s nothing wrong with spicing things up with a little bit of sapphire–the traditional gift for the 65th Anniversary.
Nice gem of an article. Ms. Vincent’s wit and eye for all things modern provide a refreshing viewpoint.
Fuschia pink, orange & purple liberty print shirt worn under a fuschia jacket with a mettalic burnt orange lining is harming tons of positive comments – and on the house design front, I’m about to throw an orange rug on the floor, add hot pink & scarlet pillows and call it updated super sixties chic! Love this post
Modernemama–hi! Welcome.
One day, I’m gonna re-do something in pink and orange. (A powder room?) It’s a combo that’s just so happy, how could you go wrong?!