colour theory

T e r r a c o t t a

Bring a sun-baked and grounded feel to your home with the latest earthy shade to hit our radar. Here ’ s why we ’ re loving terracotta

hen you think of terracotta, the first thing that springs

Wto mind may well be plant pots and kitchen floor tiles. Terracotta clay has been used in interior design for thousands of years, from ancient Chinese pottery to Egyptian sculptures, and its charm remains as profound as ever. Clay brings a rugged and homely feel to a space, and while we love the soft texture and smooth touch of the material, it’s the colour itself that’s been making waves in the interior design sphere.

The word terracotta literally translates as ‘baked earth’ in Italian. There’s no denying that we’ve been turning to the natural elements in our interiors more than ever before –think rattan furniture, wicker baskets and shelves full of house plants. A recent penchant for earthy and rustic colours is, therefore, not surprising. We’re looking to our homes for a feeling of comfort and safety, and where better to look for this than mother nature? While tranquil blues and soft greens bring calmness throughout the summer months, in autumn and winter, terracotta is our go-to relaxing hue.

‘Terracotta is one of these wonderful in-between colours, ’ says colour specialist Karen Haller (karenhaller.co.uk). ‘It’s typically orange with brown and a hint of pink, too. ’ In colour psychology, orange is

Patrick unbuttoned two and half-seater sofa in Bahama cotton matt velvet, £2,565; Dahlia footstool, £515, Sofa.com

It’s the colour for you if:

1 You want a room that’ s grounding and earthy 2 Natural colours make you feel relaxed 3 You want to add warmth to a north-facing room 4 You want a space that’ s calm yet bold

Aloha matt emulsion, £42 for 2.5ltrs, Graham & Brown

known for its joyful, fun qualities. Terracotta, however, has a brown undertone, which brings this down quite a few notches to form an earthy and grounding feel. The orange adds a feeling of warmth, while the hint of pink brings a comforting, nurturing element. ’

Grounding, warm and comforting, terracotta is the perfect wall colour for rooms where you want to feel relaxed and cocooned, like your living room or bedroom. As with all colours, there is a wide spectrum of terracotta hues – from soft, almost pastel shades, to rich muddy colours. ‘When decorating with terracotta, I’d mix dusky pinks and natural wood to add to the grounded and earthy tones, ’ says interior designer and colour consultant Lola Swift (lolaswift.co.uk).

‘Combining it with other natural colours, such as greens and blues, can give a sense of balance to your scheme, ’ adds Dominic Mylands, CEO at Mylands Paints (mylands.com). ‘But for a more sophisticated and dynamic look, I’d contrast with a colder grey. ’

As the dark nights draw in, there’s no scheme cosier than burnished brass metallics, pale woods, a chunky knit rug and flickering candles set against a brave and fiery terracotta backdrop. Now just let us grab some blankets...

Sima Flat matt paint, £42 for 2.5ltrs, Coat Paints Angled totem Tangier rug, from £89, vase, £11, Barker & Stonehouse Sass & Belle Burwell sofabed in terracotta, £1,099.89, Made to Last

The perfect pairing to terracoa

Elevate your scheme with either bold or neutral hues

the Bold palette

Monstera Leaf wallpaper in light terracotta, £20 per roll, I Love Wallpaper

The rules

Do

Combine with other natural colours Add depth with organic textures Choose a more orange terracoa for a north-facing room

Don’t

Combine with purple Be afraid to use two shades in one room Forget to try before you buy

the neutral palette