Carmine (189) is a vibrant, dusky pink from Little Greene with a playful, energetic character and a warm raspberry depth. It is the kind of colour that looks wonderful in December, but it is far too good to save for Christmas: on a chair, a headboard wall, a kitchen dresser or a front hall it brings energy and warmth all year round.
What makes it so useful is that dusky quality. A sugary pink can feel sweet and a primary red hard to live with; Carmine is more grown-up than the first and softer than the second, so it sits comfortably with greys, navies, paler pinks and even oranges.
Photo Credit: Little Greene; Colours Used: Carmine (189), Marigold (209), Leather (191)
What colour is Carmine?
Carmine is a vibrant, dusky pink. In daylight it reads as a bright, dusky raspberry; under warm evening light it deepens and gains a little more warmth. Little Greene group it with their stronger pinks, which is a helpful clue to how it behaves: it has real depth and energy without the weight of a true red.
The name recalls carmine, the crimson pigment traditionally made from cochineal, long prized by painters and dyers for its intensity.
Because it is so bright, Carmine changes more than most colours with the light around it. In a sunny, south-facing room it is at its most vivid; in a cooler north-facing room it will read a little deeper and cooler. Paint a large sample board and look at it at different times of day before you decide where it will go.
Beyond Christmas
Strong, warm colours are often treated as seasonal, brought out with the holly and put away in January. Carmine works hard all year because of its dusky softness and its brightness. A few ways to use it that have nothing to do with tinsel:
- A colour highlight on furniture. A single chair, stool or side table in Carmine lifts a quiet room instantly.
- Bedrooms. Painted as a headboard panel or a block of colour behind the bed, as above, it is warm and cheerful without overwhelming.
- Children's rooms and playrooms. Its playful character suits spaces that should feel fun, paired with a calm, related white on the walls.
- Kitchens. On a dresser, an island or open shelving, it brings warmth to a scheme of whites and timber.
Photo Credit: Little Greene; Colours Used: Carmine (189), Hollyhock (25), Hellebore (275), Royal Navy (257)
Painting furniture and woodwork in Carmine
Carmine really shines on furniture. Little Greene's Intelligent finishes are self-priming on most sound surfaces, so on previously painted or laminate furniture you can clean, give it a light key and paint two coats straight from the tin.
- Intelligent Eggshell (10 to 15% sheen) for a soft, hand-painted look.
- Intelligent Satin (30 to 35% sheen) for chairs and pieces that get handled a lot.
- Intelligent Gloss (87 to 90% sheen) for a lacquered statement.
For a strong colour like this over a very different base, a first coat of Intelligent ASP tinted towards Carmine helps build depth. Our guide to painting IKEA furniture covers the full method. On walls, use Absolute Matt Emulsion or the more wipeable Intelligent Matt Emulsion.
Colours to pair with Carmine
- Grounding greys. French Grey (113) and Dash of Soot (244) calm it down for a sophisticated scheme.
- Paler pinks. Pink Slip (220) and Masquerade (334) make a tonal, gently layered look, with Carmine as the deepest note.
- Deep contrasts. Royal Navy (257) or the plum of Adventurer (7) give it real depth.
- Bold partners. Marigold (209) and Leather (191) for a joyful, high-colour scheme.
Photo Credit: Little Greene; Colours Used: Carmine (189), Marigold (209)
Questions we are often asked
Is Carmine red or pink?
Pink. It is a vibrant, dusky pink with a warm raspberry depth, so it can look almost red by lamplight, but it is softer and more playful than a classic deep red.
Will it look too festive?
Not with the right partners. Pair it with greys, soft pinks or navy rather than dark green and gold, and it feels fresh all year.
How do I test it?
Order a sample pot and paint a large board, or try it on the back of a drawer before committing a whole piece.
Shop Little Greene Carmine
All Little Greene colours · Red and pink paint · Intelligent Eggshell
