PAIR GREEN WITH pink

BRING AN EXOTIC TOUCH OF BOLD COLOUR with pea green, emerald and fuchsia hues – you’ll find these accents in some of the tropical, jungly flower and bird prints in vogue at the moment. They’re great for adding a shot of drama in limited doses – wallpaper a small dining room, or use to line an alcove, a bookshelf or the panels of a door.

CONJURE THE SPIRIT OF SUMMER

with strawberry pink and fresh mint – the crisp kick of the mint julep cocktail. This is a great combination for breakfast tables and kitchen fabrics, with hues that will add energy and zest to any room needing a pick-me-up.

PAIR SWEET PEA SHADES,

giving a varied palette of deep, pale and bright pinks. Think of a posy of sweet peas and you realise the colours won’t ever clash – they have a sort of family loyalty that makes them instinctively sympathetic, despite the contrasts. Pink – as a form of red – naturally complements all greens, but especially garden tones of leaf and grass.

CHOOSE CHINOISERIE-STYLE FABRICS AND PAPERS

that team gentle greens and pinks in dainty, intricate patterns – perfect for sitting rooms and bedrooms. Blue-green jade is a natural partner for coral pinks. For a less peachy hue, imagine the frothy clouds of Japanese cherry blossom. To avoid being overwhelmed with pattern, use a single colour and add vases of blooms or greenery.

THINK OF ICE-CREAM FLAVOURS

lined up in a traditional gelateria: cool pistachio next to crushed raspberry. Translate those into your home and you have an instant palette that works for fabrics and paintwork. Accent pale green walls with deep pink woodwork; pair light-coloured cabinets with fresh pink curtains; or top a painted lamp base with a pink shade.

PRETTY IN PINK These tones in chalky finishes have an eclectic effect in a country cottage and sit within a Bloomsbury-style aesthetic. A vibrant shade of pink, as found in the many shades of chard, will add an energising lift. Green leaf fabric (above right) from Molly Mahon