Like many a fashion hound, black and grey are the staples of my wardrobe. But when I’m feeling even the tiniest bit peppy, I see fit to add a spot of pink—as did designers on fall runways, taking cues from Elsa Schiaparelli, a leading fashion designer during the period between the two World Wars, who introduced “shocking pink” as her signature shade, while her contemporaries stuck to seriously subdued colors. Marc Jacobs and Michael Kors brightened fall palettes with pops of pink so hot they could melt your bubble gum. Shown alongside exaggerated padded shoulders, crimped hair and power suits, the almost-neon shade was also a nod to the post-punk ‘80s, which many designers referenced in their fall collections.

Schiaparelli’s shocking pink crops up time and again. On the silver screen, it is practically a uniform for feminine fashion phenomena like Legally Blonde’s Elle Woods and Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradshaw and BFF Charlotte York. On the red carpet, many will recall Gossip Girl star Blake Lively’s strapless hot pink Michael Kors sheath at the June CFDA Awards, which caused women to scramble to stores searching for the shade and countless men to sign up as members of join the actress’ fan club.

(Photo via Getty Images)

And then there’s Paris Hilton. According to a recent article in the Daily Mail, Paris, who has never been shy about wearing pink, often stays in the Schiaparelli Suite at London’s May Fair Hotel. And who could blame her? It’s a fantastical concoction of a room, replete with glamorous (and witty) furnishings, like the pink pony skin and leather bed, an abundance of Buddhas, and gilded Rococo touches, all saturated in a bath of Schiaparelli’s favorite shade.

(Photo via Getty Images)

Get your pink on with these shocking pops of color for the home, all available on eBay.

Button Tufted Ottoman (buy it now price, $75.95)

A multi-functional ottoman serves as a foot stool, a seat or—with a tray on top—a cocktail table.

Reversible Comforter (buy it now price, $44.99) 

One side is petal pink, while the other "shocks" with vibrant color.

Scooper Fiberglass Bar Stool (buy it now price, $59.95) 

 This mod bar stool would be so much fun in an otherwise all-white kitchen or family room.

Damask and Hot Pink Wall Hangings (buy it now price, $54.99)

A trio of fabric wallhangings is much more chic than your old college posters, at about the same price.

Pink Crystal Lamp Shade Finials (buy it now price, $19.99)

Top off a tired lamp with a pop of pink crystal.

Pink “Mink” Blanket (buy it now price, $38.99)

An exceedingly soft, blush colored blanket that's fit for a boudoir.

Pink Tea Set (buy it now price, $275)

An unabashedly girly porcelain tea set is as useful as it is ornamental.

Satin Taffeta Cushion Covers (buy it now price, approximately $11.61)

An easy—and affordable—way to play with color.

1957 Schiaparelli Paris Home Decor Fabrics Print Ad (buy it now price, $9.99)

Finally, as an authentic  touch, frame an original magazine ad touting Shiap’s stuff.

Marni Elyse Katz is a Boston-based freelance writer who covers style, art and design for a variety of publications, including the Boston Globe Magazine, Boston Home and her own blog, Style Carrot.