Photography By Stephani Buchman
Pink is the classic choice for little girls; sugar and spice, and everything nice, right? But why has this precious palette been relegated to nurseries and little girls’ rooms alone? And what do we do with all that pink once they’ve grown up? In my experience, there’s so much to love about this hot hue. The right pink can be powerful, soothing or lively, depending on the shade and tone. Here are a few of my favourite ways to get all grown up, adventurous and even luxurious, and still be “pretty in pink.”
PLAYFUL PINKS
Pink is a highly versatile hue, from the barely-there, whisper-of-pink off-whites such as Benjamin Moore’s 2020 colour of the year, First Light, to the boldest and brightest variation, like Pantone’s 2019 colour of the year, Living Coral. This vibrant variety has become an interior mainstay, adorning everything from paints and wallpapers, to accessories and furnishings. Kick your pinks up a notch by pairing them with modern geometric patterns and edgy accessories. Think Walhol-inspired oddities.
50 SHADES OF PINK
As we already know, pink is a multi-faceted colour, encompassing everything from subtle off-white shades to saturated, acidic pinks and those bordering on burgundy. Try layering different shades and tones of pink for a fail-proof, monochromatic interior. Balance all that pink with black and white, and add further interest with some textural and pattern play.
“The right pink can be powerful, soothing or lively, depending on the shade and tone.”
NEUTRAL PINKS
Soft, subtle shades of pink are a stunning and unexpected alternative to beige. It’s also a little more exciting, as far as neutral colour options go. Pink can be the picture of sophistication when tinting white, and when paired with white walls, it brings warmth and depth to the design.
TIP ~ Pair white walls with pink pillows, throws and a key piece of furniture. The pink will instantly provide a focal point, without the commitment.
LUXURIOUS PINKS
Pink lends itself well to luxury. It works wonderfully with pops of gold, which has been the trending metallic for a few years now. And the beauty of this combination is you don’t need much of either to make an impression. Pink and gold both land on the warm side of the colour spectrum, and complement each other beautifully. For the ultimate in indulgences, choose pink luxury materials, such as suede, velvet and marble.
Pink is one of my favourite colours, and with its wide range of options, it can be one of yours, too! Few other colours have the scope of esthetics and emotions that pink can invoke, and from a designer perspective, that is a beautiful thing. Almost every room has a place for pink in my opinion, which shouldn’t be thought of as feminine or otherwise. Pink can be soft or strong, powerful or playful, and one thing’s for certain – it’ll always be on my must-have list.
Sara Bederman, Principal Designer for Sara Bederman Design, is known for creating stylish, thoughtfully curated and livable interiors for over a decade. The Toronto-based firm provides residential design services for projects of all sizes. Sara Bederman Design works throughout Toronto, GTA and beyond. For more information, sarabedermandesign.com , follow her on Instagram: sarabstudio