Welcome to the architectural embodiment of every little girl's dreams, where plastic fantastic meets design brilliance in the form of the real-life Barbie Malibu Dreamhouse. Thanks to Airbnb and the gracious hosting of "Ken," lucky guests have the chance to stay in this iconic dollhouse for two one-night stays as part of a viral marketing stunt for the 2023 Barbie movie. And the best part? It won't cost a dime because, as the press release states, "Ken's thing is beach, not math." The movie's influence has sparked a design trend of its own: Barbiecore. Brace yourself for a surge in adults adorning their homes with a palette of in-your-face fuschia and magenta pink decor–and maybe even a disco floor!
This may look like a child’s toy but it is, in fact, a real 3-story mansion in sunny Malibu, California, United States. The amped-up hot pink color scheme is classically contrasted by splashes of aqua blue to intensify the toy-like appeal. Every single detail is cloaked in an accurate and playful aesthetic, right down to the floaties in the pool that spell out “Ken”.
Barbie Malibu Dreamhouse parties wouldn’t be complete without an illuminated disco floor where guests can boogie down to the beat with a view of the coastline. Barbie pink archways prettily frame the Malibu panorama that unfolds beyond.
A retro disco ball spins above the dance floor, while a neon roller skate sign loudly celebrates one of Ken’s favorite pastimes. Metallic ribbon curtains flutter in the sea breeze, adding an exciting sparkle to the scene.
Pinterest searches for a "Barbie aesthetic bedroom" skyrocketed by a staggering 1,135% from May 2022 to May 2023. One of the bedrooms in Barbie’s Malibu dreamhouse has been taken over by Ken, who has given it a special cowboy twist! Stetson hats and equine artwork adorn the pink walls.
A cowhide bedroom rug, cowhide scatter cushions, and brown leather accents add Ken’s masculine flair to the solid pink setting. A blue neon cowboy hat crowns the pink Barbie bed.
A life-sized horse poses in front of the mirror in a feather boa. The full length mirror is an Ultrafragola reproduction, created by Italian architect Ettore Sottsass for Poltronova. The mirror was designed as a homage to femininity, which makes it a pretty good fit for the beautiful and multi-talented Barbie.
The closet opens up like a giant carry case, complete with a handle on top, as if an enormous child may come along and pick it up at any moment. Guests can try on Ken’s clothes to find their best “beach fit”. Or, grab Ken’s guitar to make some music out on the deck.
The Barbie bedroom bench has a distinctly retro vibe with tapered legs and brass feet. Punchy, patterned wallpaper makes a mesmerizing backdrop behind poster art for the upcoming Barbie movie.
Barbie’s bedroom door has been whipped out in favor of a more manly saloon door, with equestrian signage that reads: “Kendom Salon”! The fuschia pink door frame and matching pink carpeting keep Barbie’s enduring influence at the forefront.
Outside on Barbie and Ken’s sun terrace, there is a large swimming pool where Airbnb guests can take a cool dip. Chaise lounges and an outdoor sofa are upholstered in swathes of classic Barbie pink. The firepit burns with a child-friendly plastic flame and the edge of the swimming pool is smoothly framed with fuschia faux stonework.
Ken has set up a home gym on the balcony, complete with weights and a workout mat. The area also includes a barrel of “Beefy Body Brine” workout supplements to help you gain your perfect Ken beach body. You’ll also discover a basketball hoop up here, as well as a table tennis area to get the energy pumping.
Naughty Ken has cheekily crossed out Barbie’s name above the outdoor bar area and replaced it with his own signature logo. We’re not sure the lady of the house would be too thrilled about that, but houseguests will have a blast hanging out together around Ken’s grill. Bubblegum swivel bar stools, a solid magenta bar top, and a fuschia patio lamp style the all-out pink paradise.
Airbnb guests may be a little discontented with a couple of the food items on offer at the Barbie Malibu Dreamhouse–we suspect these cuts might taste just a little bit plastic. Don’t worry though, there’s a concierge on hand to help guests pick out some real food for their short stay.
Up on the deck, there’s a place to play in the sand, gaze up at the stars, or just chat about how great it is to be beautiful, roller skate all day, party all night, and have the perfect outfit for each and every occasion. You’ll see more of the signature Barbie Malibu Dreamhouse fuschia faux stonework up here, where it wraps the architecture in bright, retro glory.
Play a selection of “Dude Rock” on Ken’s decks to really get the party started up on the disco deck–you won’t be disappointed. If you’d love to find more ways to immerse yourself in the fun and fabulous world of Barbie, Mattel has brought the magic to life with immersive pop-ups in Santa Monica, Chicago, and New York. Experience Barbie's spectacular spaceship, her rocking recording studio, and her iconic Volkswagen camper van.
