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Mid-Century ModernSouth-Facing

RETRO

Jotun · 1627

The Analysis

RETRO acts as a warm, golden mid-tone that makes rooms feel grounded and cozy. With an LRV of 47.31, it reflects a moderate amount of light, meaning it adds warmth without overwhelming the space or making it feel cramped.

This is an excellent choice for a main wall colour in living rooms or kitchens where you want to create a focal point. Because it is a saturated golden hue, it works best as a statement wall or as a unified colour for an entire room to create a cohesive, wrap-around effect.

LRV 47

History & Origin

As the name implies, this colour is a direct nod to the 1970s aesthetic, capturing that era's love for warm, organic earth tones. It feels nostalgic and intentional, rather than purely modern or historically period-specific.

Undertonewarm
FamilyYellow

How to Use It

Pair this with dark walnut wood tones or matte black hardware to modernize the look. It works beautifully in south-facing rooms where the natural light will amplify the golden undertones and keep the space feeling vibrant.

The Mood

Living with this shade is energizing and optimistic, providing a sun-drenched feel even on gray days. It avoids the clinical sterility of white paint, offering a stable and welcoming atmosphere for high-traffic areas.

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.

  • Mustard Seed

    Benjamin Moore · 222

  • Dry Sea Grass

    Behr · 360F-4

  • Gemstone

    Benjamin Moore · 265

  • Westwood Tan

    Benjamin Moore · 256

  • Sulfur Yellow

    Benjamin Moore · 2151-40

  • Delphi

    Colourtrend

Lighting

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

  • Natural