HeritageSouth-Facing

CHALK OCHRE

Jotun · 1909

The Analysis

Chalk Ochre is a grounded, earthy mid-tone that adds warmth without being overly yellow. With an LRV of 37.73, it absorbs some light rather than reflecting it, which creates a cozy, enclosed feel rather than making a room feel expansive or airy.

This shade works best as a primary wall color in living rooms or bedrooms where you want to create a cohesive, saturated look. It serves as a strong, neutral backdrop that bridges the gap between beige and terracotta.

LRV 38

History & Origin

This is a classic, heritage-inspired tone reminiscent of traditional limewash finishes and historic Mediterranean homes. It feels timeless and organic rather than following fleeting modern trends.

Undertonewarm
FamilyYellow

How to Use It

Pair this with natural wood tones like oak or walnut and matte black hardware to modernize the space. It excels in rooms with abundant natural light, as it prevents the walls from feeling flat or muddy.

The Mood

Living with this color feels stable and grounded. It is restorative and calm, making it a great choice for areas where you want to wind down rather than spaces requiring high-energy 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.

  • Treacle Pudding

    Colourtrend

  • Empire Gold

    Sherwin-Williams · SW0012

  • Gingersnap

    Behr · S270-5

  • MASALA

    Jotun · 10428

  • Corkboard

    Behr · BIC-30

  • Barley Harvest

    Benjamin Moore · 1070

Lighting

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

  • Natural