colour focus
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Tickled pink It’s been cast as a villain by those who think pink has a lot to do with ongoing gender inequality. But come on, pink doesn’t stink, pink is warm and pretty. Text: Catherine Barritt
Pink has had a tricky time of late, having been dragged into the gender equality debate. The Pink Stinks campaign set up by sisters Abi and Emma Moore has rightly been urging parents not to dress their baby girls in pink, so the colour ceases to be synonymous supine femininity, aka sugar and spice and all things nice. But there is undoubtedly something in the colour that appeals to the female eye and psychologists will tell you that’s because pink is a soft form of red, red being associated with the heart and passion. Take that passion down a few notches and you
have romance, gentleness, calmness. And pink is easy on the eye: in its pastel tones - shell pink, baby pink, peachy pink, mauvey pink, it’s very restful. In its brighter hues it’s a bit more of an acquired taste - think bubblegum pink, cerise, neon pink. These are colours that are full of life and fun but you probably wouldn’t want a bedroom full of them. ‘I love soft pinks, subtle shades veering into cream or lilac,’ says deco editor Abby Trow. ‘I’m always on the lookout for that perfect shell or muted salmon pink because I find soft pinks very soothing. I like pink for bedrooms wallpaper is a good vehicle for
bringing pink into your space, as it bedlinen if you find a shade you love. I would say it takes quite a lot of trawling around to find pinks that please me - I’ve sound some at www.knowles-christou and www.gingerlily.com.
Top left: faux flowers are great because they will last decades if you dust them regularly..and even if you don’t. Set of 3 faux amaranthus sprays made from polyester and plastic, £24.95 at www.audenza.com Top right: recyclable vinyl tiles in vibrant designs including Maze with its lovely pink stripes, £59 m2 at Atrafloor Centre, left: Pink and gold nest of tables, made from enamalled glass and metal, £600 at www.limelace.co.uk Above: Open Late A3 print, £45 at www.made.com
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