How to Make Pink Work in the Home

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Pink is possibly the most versatile hue you can use in your home. Here are some tips on how to pull off a grown-up colour scheme that?s poised, not princessy, from one of the sisters behind Belfast’s cult interiors store Maven…

One of the trends we’re smitten with?this spring?is grown-up pink. Forget princessy pastel overload – the adult approach to using this wonderfully warming shade is to contrast it with cool greys and accent it with hot neons. Do this right, and the finished look will be elegant and understated, not garish and girly.

We’ve looked to Catherine McGinnis, of Belfast interiors store Maven, for a masterclass in making pink work in the home. Her beautiful apartment is all frosted pastels and earthy tones, innumerable shades of grey and modern mid-century charm. The vibe is understated chic, confidently quirky, but essentially elegant. Add some zingy neons and copper accents, and you’ve nailed the pink perfectly. Scroll down for our interview with Catherine, then click through the gallery above for perfect home buys to accent a pink interior…

What was the inspiration behind the colour scheme in your home?
I live in a north-facing ground-floor apartment, and I felt that the living room was too dark for me. In keeping with my very comfy sofa, I decided to go for a pastel pink. The colour choice has added much-needed light to the room and has also made it feel much larger.

What are your go-to homewares brands?
My favourite brands are Ferm Living, Muuto and Hay. Simply put, their products are beautiful. Ferm’s attention to detail makes it a perfect brand for all the bits you need about your home. I have the Muuto E27 pendant light and ?Dots? used as coat hooks in my hallway – stylish essentials. HAY’s furniture is beautiful – clean lines and a huge variety of colours; you’ll find something for every taste.

How would you define your style?
My apartment is definitely cosy, clutter-free (clever storage is vital) and very liveable. The paint colours are very on trend, with the pastels and greys. Apart from in my living room, I love that I have painted all the woodwork the same colour as the walls.

CATHERINE’S HOT PINK TIPS…

• Pastel palette Don’t be afraid to use pastels on walls – just make sure to pick the right tones, so grab a tester pot and get testing. See how the colour works in different light.
• Neon accents Think outside the box when you buy dining-table chairs – HAY has some beautiful neon chairs, which you can mix and match to have a real impact and modernise your existing table.
• Eclectic electrics Accessories are important: add small pops of acid yellow and electric pink for contrast.

Words?Diana Nacu. Photography Sarah Fyffe.

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