So quick catch up for those who’ve missed the last two posts. I’m spending a few weeks focusing on 2016 interior design trends and this is week three. It’s also week three of Mr W’s retirement, and although there have been incidents of mild irritation, there hasn’t been any swearing, or talk of divorce. Yet. Miracle really, but am feeling very optimistic he might be ‘The One’ (laughs like a hyena) We’ve only been together twenty years.

So this weeks post is all about colour. Now it would be easy to talk about the inky blue, dark grey or even black walls which the cool kids are surrounding themselves with, or the beautiful emerald greens that appear all over H&M’s new spring collection. But I thought I would surprise you all and talk about pink. Yes pink.

2016 Interior Design Trends – Pink

Now pink is a colour I generally avoid in all areas of my life. Partly because I’m blonde, and I don’t want to look like Barbie. Well I used to be blonde. I’m not sure what my natural colour is anymore but as of last week it now includes grey, which according to my hairdresser is a good thing as my roots are less obvious…. Yeah great. But the main reason I avoid pink is because it irritates the pants off me when companies make things for girls in pink because apparently its what we want. I get even more annoyed when they add diamante. I was practically frothing at the mouth last time I tried to buy a serious road bike and my choices in one (very specialist ) shop were pink or duck egg blue….with butterflies. Don’t even get me started on gym wear. Yes I loved pink when I was six but I’m a grown up now. I appreciate there are women who still love to surround themselves with pink, I’m just not one of them. So stop limiting my choices and stereotyping me! Sorry, I’ll stop ranting now.

So I’m not sure what I’m more shocked about, that pink is now totally on trend, or that I’m loving it. There are a few (dare I say) rules mind. Now I know there aren’t supposed to be any rules in interior design, a fact I am reminded of every time I see something I love which I ought to hate. But these rule breakers tend to have been put together by very cool people with fabulous taste. So for everyone else it’s helpful to at least have a few tips, so here are mine.

Tip 1 – if you wouldn’t put it on your cheeks don’t put it on your walls

Limit hot pinks to statement pieces or accent colours. A few bright pink touches can look stylish without screaming ‘ADOLESCENT GIRLS ROOM’

Neutral room with hot pink accessories by Martha O’Hara Interiors via Houzz

But if pink is to be your main colour stick to pastels and blush pinks, like Rose Quartz, which along with Serenity (baby blue) is Pantone 2016 colour of the year. I also like Pink Cocoa by Valspar which I used in The Pink Bedroom project.

Blush pink living room via Houzz

I don’t know about you but I find pale pink walls very calming. I’m actually thinking of repainting the upstairs bathroom pink. Yes I know it was only done a year ago but smoky candles have left soot on the walls in a couple of places so if we’re going to get the paint brushes out anyway…. (crosses fingers and hopes Mr W is not reading this…)

Blush pink bathroom by LKS Creative via Houzz

Tip 2 – mix it with neutrals

Mixing pale pink with grey, taupe, beige or off white allows it to blend in but still lifts the room a little, and avoids it looking bland (apologies Kelly Hoppen fans but I struggle with a completely neutral room). I love the pale pink bookcases in this room.

Neutral living room by Polly Eltes via Houzz

I remember begging my mum for a pink and grey bedroom when I was 8. I think I’d been inspired by all the grey marl sweatshirts and pink leg warmers in Fame

Pale pink and grey bathroom by Sherwin-Williams via Houzz

3 – mix with other pastels

Pale pink is pretty versatile when you get into it. Mixing it with pistachio can make the room look very fresh. Very Laura Ashley if you like that look. I’m not knocking Laura Ashley of course, I use their stuff all the time in projects, but tip 4 is more my thing.

Blush pink room with pistachio accents via Houzz

Tip 4 – add a dark colour

Personally I think the way to really make pink work is to pair it with black, dark brown or even dark blue. Look how fab these black chairs and picture frames look against these pink walls.

Show home by Dillard Pierce Design Associates via Houzz

I’m not sure I’d ever put a hot pink splashback in my kitchen but these walnut effect doors instantly stop it looking like Barbies kitchen. The big industrial looking range cooker probably helps steer it from girlie to edgy.

Pink splashback and walnut doors in kitchen by Pedini London via Houzz

Here’s another example of how good pink looks with dark wood. It instantly transforms the room into one a guy can feel comfortable with. Keep it all pink and he’s bound to think its too girly, but add some dark wood or black (especially if its a 60′ flat screen TV….) and he’s gonna feel more comfortable.

Pink living and dining room with dark wood floors by Lisa Wolfe Design Ltd via Houzz

It’s a great compromise for a bedroom. Now I don’t want to start stereotyping, particularly after my earlier rant, but I often work with couples where the wife wants something light and feminine and the guy wants dark and sophisticated, and here’s the solution.

Pink and navy bedroom by V I Photography & Design, via Houzz

Tip 5 – add something shiny (but not diamante!)

OK, so my last tip is to add some metallic elements, my first choice would be gold for instant glamour. I love the contemporary black metal bed in this bedroom with the gold sunburst mirror. A bit of pale blue too – showing you tip number 3 in action again.

Pink bedroom by Kelly I Designs via Houzz

Now if you scoot back up to the top and flip through the pics again you’ll see that a lot of the rooms I’ve shown you combine tips. My favourite way to use pink is with black and gold like I did in the pink bedroom project (see below). Very glam and both the lady and the gentleman of the house loved it.