When it comes to interior design, we should always strive for a look that is timeless and enduring. There’s no better way to achieve this than by sticking with the tried-and-true elements of decoration that have been passed down to us through the generations. Perhaps you can tell, then, I’m not the biggest fan of trends. They come and go and it’s best to pay them mind only as much as is necessary lest you be caught when the tide goes out and you’re left looking very unfashionable.
Of course, every now and then some mainstay of good design starts to percolate through the public mind and, before you know it, becomes trendy. Sometimes it happens very slowly. Many times, these incipient trends never even gain much traction at all. But for the alert eye, they can be impossible to ignore once they reach even the slightest bit of critical mass.
What I have noticed lately is that the color “peach” has been popping up more and more. Could pastels finally be having their moment again, and is peach in prime position to become the next big design trend?
A Peach of a Color
The color peach gets its name from the fruit, a drupe which originated in China and made its way to the West via Persia. However, while the actual fruit features a range of colors including reds, pinks, oranges, and yellows, the color itself seems to lie somewhere in between all of these.
Peach is a true pastel, which is to say that it is a tint of the secondary color Orange. However, the peach color family ranges from the tints of red-orange to yellow-orange. When “peach” has more pink undertones, it can be called “salmon” or “coral.” When it has more yellow undertones, it tends towards “apricot.”
Due to limitations on historical paint and pigment technology, peach is a relative newcomer to interior decoration. It was once considered a taboo color reserved for ladies’ intimate wardrobes but has since cemented itself as a classic color for use in many applications.
Peach was extremely popular from the 1920s through the 1940s, at the height of the Art Deco period of design. It then all but disappeared before coming back with a vengeance in the late 1970s (think Lee Radziwill’s peach apartment as photographed by Susan Wood in 1976), after which it reigned for another 20 years reaching its peak in the late 1980s and promptly disappearing again by the mid 90s.
Notice a pattern? Peach burns bright for a generation before receding into dormancy for about 30 years. That means peach is just about due for another revival in the mid 2020s.
Peach has not been especially popular since it last disappeared in the 90s. In fact, to naive eyes it might look a bit dated. However, I have noticed the color percolating at the margins again. All trends start at the margins before slowly working their way up into the mainstream.
Peach Buzz: Where I’ve Seen Peach Pop Up
You know, I actually started writing this blog post in July of 2023 but never got around to completing it. I couldn’t have predicted that peach would actually be a big color for 2024, I simply had a hunch based on the cyclical nature of its popularity as I mentioned above. Lo and behold, I was SO right. Peach has been popping up in many places lately.
One recent place where I saw it used splendidly is in the new Manhattan showroom for Spanish porcelain maker Lladró. Peach covers the ceiling, brick walls, and curtains in an unfussy way creating a warm, cozy gallery to showcase various porcelain pieces.
Additionally, variations of peach were selected for color palettes in 2024. Most notably (and not without controversy), Pantone chose “Peach Fuzz” as their 2024 Color of the Year. In addition, Benjamin Moore selected two different peaches for their Color Trends 2024 palette: “Teacup Rose” and “Pristine.” I can’t help but notice that this palette bears a suspicious resemblance to my Mediterranean Cote d’Azur palette from two year ago. Hmmm.
Finally, Sherwin Williams selected “Persimmon” as its Color of the Year for the 2024 HGTV color collection. What’s interesting is that they felt the need to change the name, as the color actually used to be called “Pave Peach.” I’m not sure why they felt the need to change the name, given Pantone had no qualms about using the word “peach” so explicitly.
Peaches for Me: How to Use Peach for Interior Design
Peach is a soft, feminine color that radiates warmth and is extremely flattering on almost all complexions. As with peaches and cream, the peach color works very well when used in combination with other pastels provided sufficient contrasting accents are provided.
It makes an excellent color on walls, whether as paint or a patterned wallpaper. Under warm interior light, it practically glows like an evening sunset. One trick not many people may know is that if you line your lampshades in peach, it makes your skin appear flawless!
Due to its delicate nature, peach is best used as a base color.
However, it can be used as an accent color in high contrast designs that use darker colors like navy or emerald greens as bases.
Fresh Peaches: Great Peach Paint Colors
For just the slightest hint of peach, I like Benjamin Moore’s “Blanched Coral”. It’s a whisper of a color, really, and exudes a soft glow.
For those who prefer bolder choices, Behr’s “Tomorrow’s Coral” rings as a bright, true peach. The saturation of this color offers a strong warm glow, especially in evening light.
A muted option for those who like to play it safe with neutrals, Farrow & Ball’s “Menagerie” is an excellent choice. It veers into terracotta territory while still maintaining a peachy identity.
Of course, there are literally millions of potential peaches one can choose from or mix. These are just the peaches that stand out for me.
And now, I’m leaving you with what has to be one of the strangest songs from the 1990s by Seattle-based rock band Presidents of the United States. One doesn’t have to move to the country to enjoy peaches.
