No ordinary kitchen, this magnificent space knocks combining bold colours out of the park – colour expert Ruth Mottershead explains how it’s done
Pink and orange is not a traditional colour pairing, but it is one that has become increasingly popular in both fashion and interiors. They are contrasting colours that sit closely on the colour wheel and for this reason are not often seen as a naturalchoice–bothexudeenergyandwarmthand the key to using them together is to use varying strengths of each tone. In this case, bold tones of both orange and pink are used, but the orange is more vibrant and the pink more muted comparatively. The pink allows the orange to lead, bringing energy and charisma to the space, whilst actingasaconfidentandattractivesupportingtone.
The smart use of texture emphasises the scheme’s subtle shade variations. The pink and orange tiles both have differing tones to the cabinets they sit within, but the shade is a diluted version of the hero colour. This way of decorating, with graduations of the same hue, softens the scheme, providing depth rather than a harsh contrast that can occur when using a single colourasablock.Texture also helps to tie a scheme together because it incorporates varying tones of a single colour as the material responds to the surrounding light and environment. This makes for a more dynamic and interesting interior that would otherwise appear flat. It’s an excellent way to encourage a diverse tonal range within a space whilst maintaining a defined colour palette.
Paler peach cabinets provide a natural bridge between the bolder tones of orange and pink. The peach contains undertones of both pink and orange, meaning the colour relates to each of the strong shades with ease. Not only does the peach soften the scheme, but its strength of colour is much lighter, ensuring a comfortable contrast between the two hero colours.
The terrazzo floor grounds the bolder pink and orange. It is a much earthier, muted hue of the bold pink – adefinite relative, with a black, white and brown fleck. The brown is particularly important as this offers a connection to the orange: it is similarly earthier and ge
