Amthal Karim – Head of Design at Furniture And Choice – shares her monthly overview of on-trend styles and interior looks currently inspiring furniture buyers.
It’s been a quiet colour transformation but once you’ve seen it you can’t unsee it – the remarkable and inescapable evolution of pink.
Picture a dusty pink velvet sofa, a beautiful contemporary centrepiece in a room of soft cream surroundings. The epitome of sophistication. But there was a time when pink carried a lot more baggage – bold statements, tired clichés and unfair stereotypes. That’s changed, and today’s softer, muted interpretations have elevated the colour into an elegant, earthy hue that designers are embracing as a modern neutral.
Millennial Pink soared around 2010 and then came Barbiecore which gave pink the much-needed fame it craved, but now the pink landscape leans towards refinement. Away from decorative pink or overly sweet blush tones, to understated, mature interiors. Today’s palette is chic, cultured, and effortlessly elegant.
Much recognition for this popular transformation must go to Farrow & Ball’s Setting Plaster No. 231. Named after the soft blush tone of freshly plastered walls, its dusty character is effortlessly timeless, while its warm yellow undertones lend it a depth and heritage that few other pink-hued paints have managed to replicate. A contemporary sister-shade to traditional baby pink, this iconic paint colour has undeniably influenced the way we think about pink in interiors.
And then there’s mauve. Sitting between pink and violet on the colour wheel, it emerged as an in-demand tone, offering a unique warmth and underpinning a growing preference for calm interiors.
Alongside classic neutrals and more expressive accents, mauve works particularly well with other earthy tones such as beige, warm greys and soft browns. This natural harmony reflects the continuing influence of the biophilic trend as a mainstay in contemporary interiors and furniture design.
Mauve also pairs effortlessly with lighter, neutral palettes – including champagne, ivory and mushroom – introducing depth without overwhelming a space. Its understated character brings a modern edge to classic interiors, allowing designers and homeowners to introduce a colour that’s enduring, yet entirely subtle.
And if that’s not enough: its muted, dusty undertones also make it particularly well suited to colour drenching, a defining interior trend of recent years. A living room cocooned in gentle mauve creates a soothing atmosphere with a sense of lightness and charm.
As interior palettes continue to favour understated luxury, mauve and plaster represent a considered evolution of pink. These modern tones offer the emotional warmth associated with pastels while delivering the timeless appeal and versatility increasingly sought in modern interior design.
