“Anything is possible with sunshine and a little pink” said Lily Pulitzer. Pink represents charm, femininity, innocence and romance. A colour that only came in to vogue during the 18th century at the French royal courts and by the 1950s, has become associated with women. Feng Shui practice has pink as a shade of red, one of the lucky colours and associated with Fire and all about romance, passion and keeping something alight. It is a popular colour in Southern France and Italy and against the blue skies, offers a sense of sherbet gelato, summer and the sea.
The colour pink can range from soft hints to absolute lollipop colours including hot pink which was invented by the fashion designer, Schiaperelli. That being said, Feng Shui practice also says to be careful of the colours apricot and peach as they are sending out a message that you are available – interesting!
It is a difficult colour for couples in a bedroom, as in Western decor the colour is associated with young girls and naivety. However, it was a key accent colour in the 1920s to counteract the harder metallic features and white and black decor. When using pink find a shade that you can live with from pastel rose to hot pink. Look to pink accessories, cushions, art work and even silk flowers. It is also associated with the Earth element and will partner well with the Wood and Metal elements. However; Water is seen to muddy Earth and it is best to keep these two elements separate.
Relationships
Let’s start with the obvious point, can you imagine a room full of pink for a relationship? No, neither can I. Not being a fan of pink and if this is not your choice of colour either, there are solutions. You can balance the room with white and earth tones and before we all say, that is not romantic, add lemon or bright clear shades of yellow in bedlinen and cushions. This is the colour of the Earth element and represents grounding and nurturing. Think pink for passion and lemon for love.
Make sure you have images that give a message of two – two lamps, two people. Avoid having the side of your bed against a wall, something I think looks odd anyway, you need to place it centrally in the room. The bed should have a solid wall behind, ideally a solid bedhead, and a table either side with the same lamp on each. Recently, there has been a trend of putting a heavy chandelier above the bed or light, avoid this as it is a like a heavy beam over the bed and relationship. The same applies to ceiling fans which Feng Shui practices see as cutting blades!
Our kitchen is in this area and we put artwork of a friendship group around cooking and two prints of a couple. Interestingly enough, we found a group of friends we call ‘the Foodies’ and often see each other to make food, cocktails and fun. Cream and earth colours were used with touches of lemon and lime to add some colour.
Communication and Creativity
White and pink partner well here as white is associated with Metal and pink with Earth which polishes Metal. If this is a child’s bedroom, consider soft, calming shades of pink that can be easily updated as the child becomes older. If it is your living area, consider using some fun accessories that lighten up the area. If your office is in this area, pink is all about relationships and creating business partnerships.
Travel and Helpful People
Grey and black are the key colours in this sector representing Metal. If you wish to use pink here, it could be used as an accent colour representing the Earth element which polishes Metal. The combination of soft grey, white and a hint of pink can look chic but unless you love it, just avoid the 1980s look!
Where to Avoid Using Pink
Pink represents the Earth element and it is said to put out Fire and to muddy Water. Therefore; it is best to keep pink away from these sectors. While it does partner with Wood in the Family and Wealth Sectors, it is usually recommended to use hints of the colour and to make sure the tone and shade match the dominant colour.
A Hint of Colour
You don’t have to paint a wall, buying cushions or pictures of pink flowers will do just as well. Just remember, if it is in the Relationship corner, duos are key. Art work of single flowers and people need to go. Anything from old relationships needs to be replaced as well. Start afresh. If this is the bedroom, buy new bed linen and ideally, a new bed. Living rooms need at least two matching chairs and lamps and pairs of furniture. A friend had a cushion with a sad rose on her sofa and that went immediately. Two cushions were replaced with roses and leaves that signalled growth and romance. Et voila!
