Brighten up your life with mood-enhancing pink
Originally from Edinburgh, Emily Murray set up a blog three years ago which celebrates her passion for interior design and all things pink. Now, she has published a how-to book
What is it about pink that you love so much?
Its ability to make me feel instantly happier. So happy, in fact, that I’ve dedicated an entire book to it. For me, pink is Prozac in colour form. It’s a shade saturated in serotonin. I can’t say exactly why this is the case, although scientific research has shown that when we look at warm, bright colours, such as pink, a gland in our brain releases dopamine – the ‘feel-good hormone’ – which can improve our mood. Or so I understand.
I wonder, though, whether for me personally pink is simply a colour that makes me feel completely myself for the very reason that I was brought up wearing lots of boys’ hand-medowns, and with a mother who didn’t like the colour and wasn’t into typically female things like wearing make-up and high heels. Even though I was a tree-climbing, fence-jumping tomboy of a girl, I definitely had a feminine side, and maybe pink – via societal norms telling us that ‘pink is for girls’, not because it’s an innately feminine colour – helped me access that?
What I do know is that since starting The Pink House blog three years ago, and writing my first book, Pink House Living, both of which have involved interviewing many people about their views on pink, I can safely state that pink is a colour that evokes feelings of joy across genders and age groups.
Tell us about the book – what is the idea behind it?
From a very young age I’ve loved books with a passion. I studied English Literature at Cambridge (well; when I wasn’t chasing boys or roof climbing) and always dreamed of writing my own book. When I started The Pink House blog/business three years ago, a book was part of the plan. I felt there was a gap in the market for a beautiful, colourful interiors book that didn’t take itself too seriously, but helped give its readers inspiration on how to create a home that made them truly happy, while making them laugh. Pink House Living is this book and I’m delighted to have written it!
You’re originally from Edinburgh – did you find any pink in Scotland’s capital?
There’s a fair bit of pink to be found. There was our pretty Arts & Crafts house in the Grange, which we painted pink on the outside (much to my husband’s disapproval – though he secretly loved it once it was done). And every year the pink blossom in the Meadows fills the city with joy and hope. Then there’s the bright pink shop halfway down Victoria Street – at least I hope it’s still there! And of course Tigerlily, which should be on every pinkloving Edinburgh visitor – or resident’s – #pinkpilgrimage list.
Outside Edinburgh,
I’ve developed a bit of an obsession with the perfectly pink Craigievar Castle in Aberdeenshire – I hear it’s now open to the public; maybe I can hire it as a holiday home…
The subtitle of your book is For People Cheating on Fashion with Furniture – do you think the two worlds are more closely linked than they have been in the past?
In recent years there have been an increasing number of famous fashion designers such as Matthew Williamson, Henry Holland, Missoni, Bella Freud and Issey Miyake making forays into interiors, and I think that has played a large part in connecting the two worlds more closely.
I reckon Instagram has played a big part too. As the digital generation of Millennials has started to settle down, have babies and buy homes, they are increasingly showing their #shelfies instead of #selfies on social media. This has led to a more fashion-orientated approach to home décor, as people want to refresh their homes more regularly as more people are getting to see them. And so we’ve got increasing numbers of high street fashion brands bringing out trend-led homes collections – one of the newest (and best) being River Island.
Have you ever flirted with another colour, and do you think there will ever come a time that you will tire of pink?
I’m someone who gets bored easily, so it’s all the more remarkable I’ve never grown tired of pink. It’s every bit as much my favourite colour now aged 40, as it was when I was five. Thank God, seeing as I’ve built my business around it. ‘The Yellow House’ doesn’t have quite the same appeal…
You ask interiors experts where they glean their “pinkspiration”. Where do you find yours?
I get fresh pinkspiration from hotels, bars and restaurants, as well as travel and fashion. Obviously this means I HAVE to go on regular trips to fabulous locations, ideally ones that don’t allow children. At least that’s what I tell the Pink House Husband: “Sorry, but it’s for work, darling!”
There are also some brands – both big and small – that just ‘get’ pink, which I find myself returning to time and again. These include Bert & May and their dreamy encaustic tiles; The Chalk Pink Linen Company, which I think speaks for itself; Sara Miller London and their stunning stationery; Karen Mabon, for both cushions and silk scarves; and Pinkster Gin, for obvious reasons.
What’s the easiest way to add pink, or indeed colour, to your home?
I would suggest buying my book, Pink House Living, which has hundreds of ideas on how to add pink – and other happy-making hues – to your home. I’ve even written a quiz to help you work out which shade of pink best suits your personality.
What’s next for you?
I’m going to get very drunk on Pinkster Gin at my big pink book launch at the pinkest place I could find – Sketch in London’s Mayfair. I’m also coming to Edinburgh to promote the book – I’m having a special event with Anthropologie and Edinburgh Gossip Girls in May which should be lots of fun. And then I’m back to renovating my new London home and writing about it on The Pink House blog – follow my journey at pinkhouse.co.uk.
Emily Murray’s book, Pink House Living: For People Cheating on Fashion with Furniture is published by Ryland Peters & Small today, £19.99
I was brought up wearing lots of boys’ hand-me-downs, and with a mother who didn’t like the colour and wasn’t into typically female things like wearing make-up and high heels