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Mid-Century ModernSouth-Facing

Spiced Terracotta

Dulux

The Analysis

Spiced Terracotta is a saturated, mid-tone earth colour that pulls a room inward, making large, cavernous spaces feel more intimate and grounded. With an LRV of 23.73, it absorbs a significant amount of light rather than reflecting it, so it won’t make a room feel brighter or larger.

This is a statement colour that demands attention, making it an excellent choice for a bold accent wall or an all-over treatment in a cozy den. It is generally too dominant to serve as a neutral backdrop for a whole-home color scheme.

LRV 24

History & Origin

This shade bridges the gap between 1970s retro-revivalism and traditional Mediterranean architecture. It offers a modern, updated take on clay-based, earthy interiors that feel both nostalgic and current.

Undertonewarm
FamilyYellow

How to Use It

This colour works best in spaces like living rooms or dining rooms where you want to encourage conversation. Pair it with dark walnut wood tones and matte black hardware to emphasize its earthy quality, or use unlacquered brass to highlight its warm undertones.

The Mood

Living with this colour feels warm, stable, and highly energizing. It creates a cocoon-like environment that feels inviting during the evening, though it may feel too stimulating for a room intended strictly for rest or quiet focus.

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.

  • Tigereye

    Sherwin-Williams · SW6362

  • Chivalry Copper

    Behr · 240D-6

  • Manuka Honeybee

    Dulux

  • Notebook Orange

    Dulux

  • Sumatran Melody 2

    Dulux

  • Gold Metal 0998

    Colourtrend

Lighting

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

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