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Colour

Colour in Context: Golden Yellow

Colour of the day: Golden Yellow

Simple description: a deep warm yellow

Notes for usage: Radiating mellow warmth and natural abundance, Golden Yellow draws attention without being overwhelming. Yellows generally tend to be very susceptible to changing light. However, Golden Yellows derived from ochre bases mixed with bold yellow pigments and umbers keep their sunny glow even in shady conditions. It’s high grey content make this nuance suitable for large scale use in rooms facing any direction.

For surface design feel free to experiment. I prefer dry, matte finishes and signs of craftsmanship or imperfection on high gloss ceramics with this shade. It’s also an amazing colour for felting, wool-knits and rugs, echoing the materials warming properties. Options are vast though, as you haven’t got to worry about shadows. You´d be surprised with how many colours this bold shade works when it hugs their companions with that irresistible generosity.

PS: Yes, this is one of my all-time favs, although I only own golden yellow tights. I do have four pairs though and they cheer me up during those nasty European winters (double or triple layering 🙄).

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Colour Material

Colour in Context: Plaster Pink

Colour of the day: Plaster Pink
Simple description: a subtle earthy pink

Notes for usage: This is THE colour to use if you want all the positive connotations of pink, without its stereotypical clichés. It is soft, but not sweet and more grown-up than many other nuances in the pink colour family. Plaster Pink is, well, the colour of setting plaster. Bridging the gap between beige and pink it is reminiscent of sandstone. Its constructive qualities make it an excellent architectural colour.

Did you know it was also popular during the Modernist Movement? Don´t let yourself be fooled by black-and-white imagery of the time. Le Corbusier and various artists at the Bauhaus appreciated its natural, warm and unobtrusive appearance. Back in the day mixing red earth pigments with white chalk for outdoor rendering and indoor plaster was very common. With a renewed focus on natural dyes and paints, these colourants have made a strong comeback in contemporary colour design.

With grey wall paint having long reached the mass market, we see a rising interest in chromatic neutrals. Plaster Pink is getting increasingly popular for large scale use in interior design. This chalky just-about-pink is comforting and warming at any time of the day. When it is kissed by the golden glow of a setting sun then magic happens.

Plaster pink is easy to use for surface designers, as it works well in any lighting condition. However, it lends itself particularly well for dry, matt finishes. When newness and longevity need to be paired, this is a suitable colour choice to update tech products and homeware ranges.

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Colour Trend

Colour in Context: Terracotta Pink

Colour of the day: Terracotta Pink
Simple description: an earthy pink

Notes for usage: As the fascination with Millenial Pink is slowly fading, we see an evolution towards warmer, earthier shades. These nuances occupy a special position among the pink colour family. They have a completely different effect than their sugary or brightly coloured relatives, which most people immediately think of when they hear pink.

Terracotta Pink exudes a sense of natural luxury and longevity. It appears sensual, relaxed and humane. The overall impression is more grown-up than youthful. Classic gender assignments are blurred, although many products offered in this colour mainly address a feminine target group. Terracotta Pink relatively easy to combine. With crisp white, grey and black it appears more graphic and classy. Pair it with ecru, blush and taupe for a nonchalantly pleasant feel. Add pastel blue and cinnamon brown and the result is a homely mix with a little retro appeal. But earthy pink tones are also open to strong contrasting partners such as ultramarine blue or mustard yellow.

Terracotta Pink is a surface design all-star. Use powdery matt, velvety shimmering or high gloss finishes to show the multifaceted applicability of this colour. And did you know it also works well in most lighting conditions?

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Colour

Colour in Context: Soft Olive

Colour of the day: Soft Olive
Simple description: a light warm green

Notes for usage: Its subtle warmth and light to medium tone make Soft Olive extremely versatile. Use it as an unobtrusive accent or accompanying colour or all-over for a balanced, mellow feel. This nuance is a lot less saturated than many common olives. Containing some amount of grey Soft Olive adapts well to various lighting conditions. Avoid perfectly glossy ceramics for surface design, unless you want to evoke memories of the typical 1970s avocado bathroom suits. If you go for a shining finish, consider handmade effects to keep the look more contemporary. This shade of green generally feels more natural with matte finishes. With a general shift towards earthier, warmer tones, expect to see similar green tones rise in popularity in the years to come.

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Colour

Colour in Context: Pumpkin Orange

Colour in context: Pumpkin Orange
Simple description: a bold red-orange

Notes for usage: Add some zest with Pumpkin Orange. Belonging to red-oranges, the warmest colour group, it works well with (nearly) complimentary shades. To avoid the contrast from seeming too trivial, opt for sophisticated nuances like matt teal, deep indigo blue or midnight purple. Pair with fresh lilac and mustard yellow for a dynamic, contemporary look. Gentle mauve, clay pinks and milky oranges soften this statement colour. Combinations with beige and brown evoke a retro feel. Bold oranges are trickier for surface and product design than many other colours. Popularised during the 1970s through cheap plastic products, orange can decrease the perceived value of an object. As red-oranges draw attention, they can be used to guide the eye, but are often associated with price reductions. If this isn’t your intention, follow the example of luxury lifestyle brand Hermès and make sure you use only high-quality materials and finishes. Alternatively, stick to small scale colour pops if you’re not that familiar with the effects you can achieve with colours.

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Colour Material Trend

Colour in Context: Burnt Sienna

Colour of the day: Burnt Sienna
Simple description: a dark, deep orange (brown)


Notes for usage: Radiating warmth Burnt Sienna works well from dusk till dawn. Originally derived from earth pigments containing iron and manganese oxide, it is named after the Italian city of Siena, which has a rich history of producing clay colours. With a Renaissance natural colourants and a growing appetite for warmer hues, expect to see shades of earthy tones rise in popularity in the years to come. It’s visually stabilising qualities make Burnt Sienna suitable as an architectural colour on a large scale. Mixed with white, you can achieve beautifully sophisticated pastel shades. For surface design, consider juxtaposing matte and polished finishes to add interest to its naturally rustic appearance.

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Colour

Colour in Context: Lavender

Colour of the day: Lavender
Simple description: a soft, light purple

Notes for usage: This colour has grown in popularity in recent years. Blending the softness of the more polarising pink and fresh appearance of light blue, gentle purple nuances are harmonious to a large number of colours. Lavender combines particularly well with ecru, taupe and sage green for a natural feel. For a bold, yet sophisticated colour pop consider juxtaposing it with mustard yellow, cognac brown, deep or milky orange. Or how about a combination of lavender with charcoal and sky blue for a tranquil aesthetic? Possibilities are almost endless, yet lavender will always add a sense of the extraordinary and mysterious. Its grey undertone makes it much more versatile than the shades, that usually come to mind when purple is mentioned. Lavender works in natural and artificial light as well as in shady conditions. For surface design, it is particularly suited for ultra matt and silky sheen finishes.

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Colour

Colour in Context: Pine Green

Colour of the day: Pine Green
Simple description: a dark, deep green


Notes for usage: This colour is a true allrounder for interior design. Oozing a timeless and down to earth elegance, pine green can be used as a main and accent colour on any scale, without ever feeling overpowering. In matt finishes it is particularly recommendable as a background colour for gallery walls. Creating a calm base for most artworks to stand out yet appear curated and united, pine green often creates the effect that many hope to achieve with shades of white, grey or black. For surface design, this colour works well in rough and smooth textures ranging from ultra matt to glossy qualities.

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Colour

Colour in Context: Vanilla

Colour of the day: Vanilla
Simple description: a light, clear yellow

Notes for usage: This colour needs good lighting conditions to retain it´s bright and uplifting appearance. If used as a wall colour in north-facing interiors, the blue undertone in the light will tinge its clear impression. Excellent as an accent colour. Used in large quantities, this colour can be overpowering, despite being a pastel colour, due to its inherent radiance. Balanced with enough white space (not necessarily white in literal terms) vanilla can create a modern, vibrant feel. For surface design, be careful with textures, to prevent the colour from looking dirty due to the shadow effect.