Ruislip & Eastcote & Northwood Gazette
Pretty in pink
SAMANTHA MASSEY explains why we just can’t get enough of dusky pink hues
IT WAS once the go-to hue for little girl’s nurseries and nowhere else, but today, dusky pink is well on its way to catching grey as the most instagrammable colour for modern interiors.
And it’s all thanks to its amazing versatility. Unlike saccharine baby pink, dusky pink has grey undertones which means it works well with a plethora of other shades.
It complements grey beautifully, helping lift and break up swathes of the much-loved neutral. It also makes the most stunning palette when combined with richer colours too, like forest green and deep mustards.
What’s more, it’s a colour that works in every room of the house, from utility areas to relaxing living spaces.
So if you fancy giving your home a rose-tinted makeover, here are some ideas to get you started.
ART DECO FEELS
IN recent years, Art Deco has emerged as a growing interior trend. And it’s a look that works beautifully with dusky pink.
More so than its brighter counterparts, dusky pink has a real vintage feel about it. Which is why furniture designers have started teaming it with fringing, scalloped edging and ornate detailing to give their pieces a true 1920’s feel. It’s a shade that also complements beautifully the metallics which are so intrinsically linked with this era.
If you want to incorporate the Art Deco/dusky pink vibe in your home but aren’t too sure where to start, consider cosying up a corner of your living space with your own bar. Invest in a metallic and glass drinks cart, add some vintage carafes and your favourite tipples, and finish with a dusky pink seat (with metallic legs for extra bonus points) from where you can relax with your favourite beverage. Right now, there are plenty of 1920s-inspired bar carts and armchairs which have been lovingly created to look every bit as authentic as the real deal.
UTILITARIAN PINK
ONCE upon a time, pink had no place in a kitchen or a bathroom. Not anymore. In recent years, bathrooms have lost their clinical feel and truly embraced colour. And we’re not just talking towels either; today you can get radiators, toilets and bathtubs in every shade – including pink.
Admittedly, you’re going to have to be pretty sold on the colour to change your entire bathroom suite, but you could always consider changing your wall or floor tiles. While it is still a big job it a little kinder on the bank balance than an
entire new suite. If you are going down this route, consider porcelain or ceramic tiles which are easy to maintain and are resistant to fading.
Likewise in the kitchen, if you’re not considering any wholesale changes, pink tiles look stunning against white shaker-style cupboards, as well as modern deep green units. If budget is tight, consider installing a feature splashback instead. And if you are planning a completely new kitchen, and are head over heels in love with pink, some kitchen manufacturers will design bespoke kitchens complete with pink units.
SOFT PINK
IF you don’t fancy re-designing your entire interiors with a pink twist, the market is awash with dusky pink accessories to help give your room a fresh feel.
From new cushions and bedding, to statement artwork and even storage units, there are plenty of ways to incorporate pink without making your interior feel sickly sweet. One of the easiest, and most subtle, would be a bouquet of fresh pink flowers once a week. If you would prefer something a little more everlasting, today’s faux alternatives are almost as real as their living counterparts and most certainly last longer. Alternatively, consider wallpapering a small area of your living room, such as an alcove or a recess. Once you are used to these small additions, you will soon find yourself embracing the pink fully.
■ Samantha Massey is the editor of interiorslookbook.co.uk