Mid-Century ModernSouth-Facing

Autumn Fern 2

Dulux

The Analysis

Autumn Fern 2 is a rich, earthy terracotta that pulls a room inward to create a grounded, cozy atmosphere. Because it has an LRV of 21.88, it absorbs a significant amount of light, meaning it will make a space feel more enclosed and intimate rather than open or airy.

This color acts best as a bold accent wall or a feature in a dedicated space like a study or a snug. If you use it on all four walls, be prepared for a dramatic, cocoon-like effect that works best in larger, well-lit rooms.

LRV 22

History & Origin

This tone draws heavily from Mid-Century Modern palettes and 1970s interior design trends. It bridges the gap between classic heritage earthiness and current trends favoring warm, organic pigments.

Undertonewarm
FamilyOrange

How to Use It

It excels in living rooms or dens paired with medium-to-dark walnut wood tones and matte black metal hardware. To prevent the room from feeling too heavy, use crisp off-white on the trim and ceilings to create a sharp, clean contrast.

The Mood

Living with this shade feels warm and stable, providing a strong sense of security and comfort. It isn't a high-energy 'pop' color, but rather a restorative, earthy tone that feels balanced and approachable rather than sterile.

Colour harmonies

Complementary

Opposite on the colour wheel — bold, high-contrast pairings. Use for a feature wall or furniture you want to command attention.

Analogous

Neighbouring hues — cohesive and calm, great for layered schemes that feel collected rather than matched.

Split complementary

Near-opposites for strong contrast with a little less tension than a pure complement. A favourite of interior designers.

Triadic

Three evenly spaced hues — balanced, vibrant, and versatile. Keep one dominant and use the others sparingly.

Tetradic (square)

Four hues in a square on the wheel — rich, dynamic palettes. Best when one colour leads and the others accent.

Monochromatic

Dark, mid, and light steps on the same hue — a failsafe gradient for trim, walls, and accents without shifting colour family.

Brand Matches

Perceptually similar colours from across all brands in our database.

  • Topaz

    Benjamin Moore · 070

  • Jack O Lantern

    Behr · M220-7

  • Orange Ballad 1019

    Colourtrend

  • Hale Orange

    Benjamin Moore · CW-295

  • Rust

    Benjamin Moore · 2175-30

  • Pretty Parasol 1039

    Colourtrend

Lighting

See how this colour shifts across natural and artificial light conditions.

  • Natural
  • Morning
  • Afternoon
  • Evening
  • Overcast
  • 2700K
  • 3500K
  • 4000K
  • 5500K