Pink is healing, calming, uplifting, delicate, romantic – and divisive in more ways than one. Scientists even debate its actual existence, arguing it sits on the spectrum as a blend of red and violet light and hence is merely a construct of our brains! But add a dash of white to red, and there you have it: pink. “It’s a very soft, feminine colour, with a calming effect on most people,” says interior designer Victoria Waters.
“I like its gender bending potential, so it’s fun to use in a living room with pale oak timber, large clean furniture shapes and dark floors,” says interior designer Wende Reid of Form And Colour.
The association of pink as a gender signifier is a relatively new phenomenon, taking hold in American popular culture in the mid-19th century, but the colour has, in its history, also been associated with boyhood for its decidedly strong characteristics. With a range encompassing the brightest of fuchsias to luscious, soft peaches, pink is equally as comfortable as an accent in living rooms as swathing the walls of infant bedrooms.
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1. Muuto ‘Ambit’ pendant in Rose, $280, Living Edge.
2. Melne Lillelund ‘Stella’ armchair in Dusty Rose, $649, Loungelovers.
3. Bloomingville ceramic votives in Nude, $59.90/set of 2, French Bazaar.
4. Gabrijela Polic ‘Silent Joy’ unframed canvas, $395/125cm x 94cm, Penny Farthing Design House.
5. ICD ‘Faun’ cushion in Pink, $49.95, Temple & Webster.
6. ‘Formlig’ glass vase in Light Pink, $19.99, Ikea.