The Intentional Rainbow

Our homes are more than just four walls and a roof, they are the ultimate backdrops to our lives. At Gateway Colours, we believe that filling your home with colours you love and relate to is essential for feeling your most authentic and true self. When your space reflects your inner world, your interior design becomes a true sanctuary. Whether you are planning a full interior and exterior painting overhaul or just looking for a bit of paint design inspiration, using colour with intention transforms how you live.

As June draws to a close, we are reflecting on the ultimate symbol of authenticity: the Pride Flag. In 1978, artist Gilbert Baker hand-dyed the very first rainbow flag. He didn't just pick colours that looked good together; he intentionally assigned a profound human value to every single stripe.

In this blog, we’re taking the rainbow indoors. We are exploring the eight original meanings of Baker's 1978 flag using our specialized lens for colour consulting, matching each value to the rich, historic palette of Farrow & Ball paints. Here is how you can use the values of Pride to inspire a sophisticated, meaningful design in your own home.

1. Hot Pink is for Sex

In the original flag, hot pink celebrated the beauty of human connection, passion, and liberation. It’s a colour of joy, intimacy, and uninhibited self-expression.

• The Farrow & Ball Match: Lake Red No. 293

• How it represents the value: Despite the name, Lake Red is a spectacularly vibrant, deeply saturated pink-red. It is dynamic, deeply passionate, and refuses to blend into the background, perfectly capturing that original spirit of celebration and love.

• How to use it in a room: Because it’s so striking, it makes a magnificent statement in a powder room, a romantic main bedroom, or as a bold interior accent wall to draw the eye.

  
  

2. Red is for Life

Gilbert Baker chose red to represent vitality, energy, and the celebration of being alive. In paint design, red is a powerful stimulator that brings instant warmth and a beating heart to a home.

• The Farrow & Ball Match: Blazer No. 212

• How it represents the value: Blazer is a clean, bright, and incredibly warm vermilion red. It pulses with life, warmth, and confidence, demanding attention in the best way possible.

• How to use it in a room: This is a fantastic choice for an welcoming entryway, a lively dining room where conversations flow, or even as a high-gloss statement on an exterior painting project for your front door.

  
  

3. Orange is for Healing

Orange is a colour of transition, warmth, and restoration. Baker saw it as a symbol of the healing journey within the community. In a home, soft or earthy oranges offer a gentle, comforting embrace.

• The Farrow & Ball Match: Bisque No. 294

• How it represents the value: Bisque is a beautifully soft, terracotta-tinged orange that feels incredibly grounded, warm, and gentle. It avoids being overly bright, opting instead for a soothing, baked-earth quality that radiates comfort.

• How to use it in a room: It is ideal for a morning sunroom, a cozy reading nook, or a bathroom where you want a flattering, spa-like, and restorative energy.

  
  

4. Yellow is for Sunlight

Sunlight represents clarity, optimism, and illumination. Baker used yellow to chase away the darkness and celebrate visibility. Especially here in Northern Ontario, bringing "sunlight" into our interiors keeps our spirits high year-round.

• The Farrow & Ball Match: Citron No. 74

• How it represents the value: Citron is a soft, Mediterranean-inspired yellow that feels intensely sunny without being aggressive. It is bright, welcoming, and instantly lifts the mood of a space.

• How to use it in a room: Great for north-facing rooms that lack natural light, busy family kitchens, or laundry rooms that need a splash of pure optimism.

  
  

5. Green is for Nature

Green represents growth, prosperity, and our deep connection to the earth. For Baker, it was a reminder of the natural world we belong to. In the North, green bridges the gap between our rugged wilderness and our indoor comfort.

• The Farrow & Ball Match: Bancha No. 298

• How it represents the value: Bancha is a magnificent, protective olive green. It is deeply serene, rich, and captures the exact quiet magic of walking through a shaded boreal forest canopy.

• How to use it in a room: This colour creates a beautiful sense of calm and stability. Use it in a home office for focus, or across all four walls of a living room to bring the grounding energy of nature inside.

  
  

6. Turquoise is for Magic and Art

Turquoise was originally included to celebrate the magic, creativity, and artistic spirit of the community. In interior spaces, it adds an element of wonder, whimsy, and intellectual curiosity.

• The Farrow & Ball Match: Vardo No. 288

• How it represents the value: Vardo is a rich, vibrant teal that feels full of life, depth, and creative spark. It is a show-stopping hue that feels inherently artistic, magical, and sophisticated.

• How to use it in a room: It works beautifully as a statement island in an otherwise neutral kitchen, on built-in bookshelves, or used as a bold backdrop for displaying your favourite local art collection.

  
  

7. Blue is for Serenity

Representing peace, harmony, and clear skies, blue is the ultimate colour for unwinding. Baker used it to bring a sense of calm, collective spirit to the flag.

• The Farrow & Ball Match: Bay Area Blue No. 301

• How it represents the value: A gorgeous, mid-toned blue that feels incredibly clean and tranquil. It evokes the feeling of looking out over a calm northern lake under a clear sky, offering an immediate sense of peace.

• How to use it in a room: The ultimate choice for bedrooms, bathrooms, or spaces meant for quiet reflection, meditation, and a good night's sleep.

  
  

8. Violet is for Spirit

The final stripe on the original flag represents spirit; the soulful, resilient, and beautiful essence of the community. In design, purple tones lend a sense of mystery, luxury, and deep thoughtfulness to a space.

• The Farrow & Ball Match: Imperial Purple No. W40

• How it represents the value: Imperial Purple is a deeply rich, majestic purple that commands respect while feeling incredibly enveloping and soulful. It represents a proud, resilient spirit that isn't afraid to shine.

• How to use it in a room: A stunning choice for a dramatic powder room, an intimate dining room, or a cozy den meant for late-night conversations.

Find Your True Colours

Living authentically means creating a space that feels entirely, unapologetically you. Whether you want to bring the grounding energy of Nature into your living room or the bright optimism of Sunlight into your kitchen, Gateway Colours is here to guide your journey.

Happy Pride Month from all of us at Gateway Colours in North Bay. Let's design a home you love coming home to.

Get in touch today - info@gatewaycolours.ca