“Pink is not a colour, it is a culture to me”, says Deangelo Williams as part of breast cancer research and last week’s breast cancer week. It is a colour that is often associated with romance, femininity and innocence and over the years has become a colour representing life, women’s health, strength and endurance. Pause and think what shade you can live with and what it means to you. The colour pink can range from soft hints to absolute lollipop colours including hot pink which was invented by the fashion designer, Schiaperelli. Pale pink is a summery, relaxing colour and to me it is ice cream and candy floss. Bright pinks on the other end of the spectrum are hotter and more stimulating and immediately I think of summer’s fiery sunsets and a sense of passion.In Feng Shui, pink is seen as a combination of red and white and is considered to be the colour of relationships. That being said, Feng Shui practice also says to be careful of the any apricot shade as it is sending out a message that you are single!

Wait, I Don’t Like Pink

Most people I know are unlikely to want to have a pink bedroom particularly if they are in a relationship, unless both love the colour. It is often seen in traditional Western countries as a colour for girls and yet in other cultures, it is associated with joy and the beginning of Spring rather than a gender. It was also a key accent colour in the 1920s to counteract the harder metallic features and white and black decor so fashionable and chic at the time. The key to using pink is find a shade that you can live with – pastel rose to hot pink. Then use hints of pink in accessories, cushions, art work and even silk flowers for just enough.

Is There an Alternative?

Yes there is. I often use bright yellow or shades of lemon in place of pink in the Relationship corner. Yellow is the Feng Shui colour associated with the Earth element and is usually a much more acceptable colour for adults and couples to live with. Partner it with ivory or cream shades or tones of caramel and beige. Don’t go overboard though with yellow as it sends the message that your key relationship is grounded but lacks passion! Ideally even just add pink silk or real flowers in this area or if a bedroom, buy linen that offers the colours in the overall pattern. As Anthony T Hincks said, “Pink is what red always wanted to be”.