Whether you live in Suffolk or have visited the area, you are sure to have noticed the abundance of pink tinted houses dotted around. They bring a certain charm to the county and certainly have a historical significance – but what is it? 

Suffolk pink dates back to the 14th Century when the colour was discovered by dyers local to the area. Traditionally, limewash was added to the exterior of houses in the county and it was believed it added an extra layer of protection. When combined with local ingredients in order to thicken the paint – the colour Suffolk Pink was born. Historical reports show us that ingredients such as sloe berries, elderberries, blackthorn and even ox blood were among the things added to the paint, giving it its distinct colour. 

In more modern times, the use of Suffolk Pink is highly protected and regulated by the local council and English Heritage to ensure that the wrong shades are not used. The most famous case of the wrong shade of pink was when Marco Pierre White painted The Angel in Lavenham a shade of ‘blancmange’ in 2013 and managed to offend both the locals and the council. He was forced to repaint but not before having the colour pre-agreed with English Heritage in order to match the rest of the village. 

Buildings which proudly display their Suffolk Pink vary wildly from huge manors to quaint little cottages but they all usually have a few things in common – they tend to have thatched roofs with beams in the interior. They are also often markedly crooked from the outside which adds to their uniqueness and historical important.

The rural charm of Suffolk Pink houses is something that makes the area unique and a wonderful place to visit or to settle down. We can’t offer to paint your house for you – but if you want to keep in with the tradition we offer doors and windows in a wide range of RAL colours – including a good selection of pinks!