Tinkled Pink

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 Knowles & Christou and Gingerlily.’

Top left: faux flowers are great because they will last for literally 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 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 Made.com

Above: Antrax IT T Tower energy saving aluminium radiator comes in myriad colours including hot pink. Above right: Florence Broadhurst oversized lamp has a recycled glass flagon base and handmade Buckram paper shade. £365 Left: Coral Iris rug made from 100 percent post consumer PET from Weaver Green Right: Pick up a pink poodle ...striking soft sculpture in bright pink leather adorned with 350 wool pompoms by MYK Berlin, POA.

Above: Rasi Pink mural, made to measure, by Tashi Tsering, from £34 m2at Wall Sauce Below: make tea for one an elegant affair...deep pink ceramic cup and saucer with gold edging, £17.95 at Bombay Duck Bottom: alstromeiria is an easy flower to grow in a sunny garden..offering bursts of pink in many delightful shades

Top right: Waisted One large lampshade, linen and velvet, 77cm height, £390, made by MatchiMatchi Above: Vintage linen Lakai floor cushion from Mind The Gap, £599 Right: Recycled polyester outdoor rug, made in India, designed by Inma Bermúdez for Spain’s Now Carpets

It doesn’t make you an airhead to want some pink in your home. Pink is warm, uplifting, calming..the colour of peace no less

colour focus

Above left:

European linen tablecloth, stonewashed, £85 from Chalk Pink Linen Left: Dayton blush pure wool rug, £99 at House Cosy Right: Get Plastered pink eco paint, made in Yorks for Dowsing & Reynolds

Left: aluminium chain curtain from Shaded collection from Spain’s KriskaDecor Below: LED wool pompom 250cm string light, AA battery pack operated. £16.50 at Red Candy Centre, right: Jays Jungle placement cushion, 29x45cm, £110 by Claire Elsworth Design. Printed on velvet using eco inks. Cushions are filled with free range duck feathers and post-consumer PET plastic fibres