Habitat plus - think pink

It’s also considered extremely girly. But it’s a colour that is sneaking its way out of the baby’s nursery. Subtle use of pink can bring warmth and rosiness to a room. Used in moderation, pink is an uplifting colour. But used too much, and it can become sickly.

Painting a feature wall or a piece of furniture is a great way to embrace the colour and suits the current fashion for vintage interiors. Cushions, wallpaper and rugs are devices to weave in pink tones without going overboard. If you’re still wary of committing to pink, start with flowers – an arrangement is less likely to appear too girly or gaudy, and gives you a chance to decide if you like the colour in your home.

Resene Smitten study; designed by Debra Yearsley

From bubble gum to magenta

Pink is a hugely varied colour, from palest rose and nude blush through bubble gum and crimson to screaming hot pink. It also carries a wide spectrum of connotations: pale pink, like Resene Cupid, denotes purest girly prettiness, while hot pink, like Resene Disco, shouts out gaudy and passionate. The in-between pinks, like Resene Viola, are youthful and fun. In the Western world, this colour suggests feminine energy, romance and love.

If you team pink with lighter neutrals, you will achieve a softer, more romantic vibe, while darker combinations can make pink appear more dramatic. Pale pinks, like Resene Cornflower, are calming (some prison interiors are painted pink for this very reason), while deeper shades are more like red because they get the heart racing.

When light reflects off pink walls, it makes you look rosy and healthy – cheaper than a high-tech face cream! In fact, early-20th-century designers used to line lamp shades in pink silk to cast a pink glow and warm up a woman’s face, making her look younger.

Left: Resene Lipstick walls. Center: Resene Pot Pourri bedroom. Right: Resene Geraldine walls with Resene Paua bath.

Pink partners:

If you want to use pink but don’t want to overdo it, here are some good colour combos:

• Pink and green go particularly well together. Try pale eggshell pink with pale apple green
• Candy pink and black or charcoal, or mid-pink and white
• Pink and gold for a luscious look
• Pink and turquoise for a Moroccan twist
• Pink and other warm shades like yellow and tangerine for summery appeal

Want to get your own free copy of future issues of Habitat magazine?

• Retail customers and homeowners: All Resene ColorShop and DIY Cardholders are sent a copy of each issue of Habitat. Sign up for your free card here - Australian residents - New Zealand residents.
• Specifiers: Sign up for Habitat here.

If you have an idea, project or story that you think would suit Habitat plus, we’d love to hear from you. Please drop us an email with your details and include photos if submitting a project.

Habitat plus are not mailed directly. They are available free from Resene ColorShops and resellers while stocks last and available for viewing online.