Colour school: How to decorate with hot pink and orange
Turn up the heat for summer with this fearless duo of dazzling brights.
Balance large areas of intense hot pink with accents of zesty orange, then add furniture and accessories in pure white to bring a wash of calm to the bold scheme. Layer cushions two or three deep to re-create the smart-casual feel of Miami boutique hotels, and mix in graphic prints for added impact
Balance out lots of graphic prints with blocks of bold colour – if you’re using pattern on soft furnishings, keep walls plain for a simple backdrop
Offset a cerise backdrop with white artwork framed by a tangerine mount
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PATTERN 1
Mix in splashes of orange
Luxor 105/1004 wallpaper, £80 per roll, Geometric II collection, Cole & Son
THE PAINT
Use a hot pink as a base
Bizzy Lizzy Walls & Ceilings, £21.98 for 2.5ltr, Valspar range, B&Q
PATTERN 2
Add retro pattern
Electrify Tulip 712, £49 per m, Jonathan Adler for Kravet range, GP&J Baker
Make a statement with a geometric, Sixties-inspired wallpaper, keeping bed linen and window treatments in pure white
Our stylist says:
“Add a fuchsia or orange border to a plain white blind to tie the scheme together”
NICKY PHILLIPS, DECORATING EDITOR
White, high-gloss furniture and simple glass accessories are the ideal foil to a block of busy pattern
TRY THESE COLOURS with HOT PINK
Lime Green: For an energising finish, try a zesty shade of lime, or be even braver and opt for bright neon highlights
Turquoise: A swimming pool blue adds a daring Miami vibe, but be sure to keep plenty of white in the mix
Aubergine: Create a smart scheme with a deep rich tone. Team it with dark wood or black furniture
Shades to avoid
POPPY RED While pink and red sit next to each other on the colour wheel, used together they will fight for attention and overpower a room
CHOCOLATE BROWN This combo was a Nineties favourite, but it now looks dated. Choose taupe or mushroom for a more modern feel.
OLIVE GREEN This colour can kill the uplifting tones of hot pink. If you love green, go for a fresh leaf green or bright emerald, instead
