pky said:

When I first considered to buy a violin for my daughter, I considered pink — her favorite color, and (to my surprise) she wanted purple. We started out renting one, after that she wanted violin that has natural finish — not dark or black, light natural color.

That's how I'd imagine it would be in our case too. My daughter would insist on a pink, purple or metallic golden violin and I'd probably let her have it. Maybe she would soon feel a bit silly, childish or unserious over it, but I'd let her live with her decision until it was time to get a bigger instrument.

But I'd really encourage her to get anything other than a strad type if I could find something to a reasonable price.

A compromise could be a colored fiddle where the paint isn't solid. Clear varnish with some pink or purple pigments as well as the traditional boring reddish brown.

Great idea! That' what I'll do if my children get interested in fiddle playing. I can see it before me, dyed ebony black with a white skull painted on it...

But I have a feeling they won't get interested in fiddles. Both of them seem to have some sense for percussion and some other stuff. I imagine the big one playing bass and the smaller one playing drums.