Living Etc UK – September 2019

BEST FOR

an authentic

Mediterranean feel.

Flower Pot claypaint,

from £43 for

2.5L, Earthborn

BEST FOR

creating a warm,

restful scheme.

Terracotta Warrior

matt emulsion, £42

for 2.5L, Fired Earth

BEST FOR

using with a natural

stone fireplace.

Beetlenut pure flat

emulsion, £49.50

for 2.5L, Paint and

Paper Library

BEST FOR

small spaces.

Spicy Paprika

flat matt emulsion,

£29.16 for 2.5L, Dulux

BEST FOR

lifting a shady room.

Heat absolute matt

emulsion, £45 for

2.5L, Little Greene

BEST FOR

co-ordinating

with other shades

of terracotta.

Emanuella matt

emulsion, £35 for

2.5L, Rockett St

George Exclusive

Paint Collection

FE

AT

UR

E^ S

OP

HIE

BA

YL

IS^
PH

OT

OG

RA

PH

SI
RE

N^ L

AU

VD

AL

ST

YL

IN
G^

KR

AK

VIK

&^

D’O

RA

ZIO

Tra n slated f rom It a l ia n

as ‘baked earth’, terracotta

has a warm, organic aura

‘Terracotta works beautifully with soft pinks to add

warmth to concrete or Brutalist lines,’ says Russell Whitehead

of 2LG Studio. ‘It’s a natural clay, so works with other organic shades,

such as sage green. If you’re feeling bold, terracotta looks incredible

paired with Yves Klein Blue, which is having a moment.’

‘Use darker shades of terracotta in north-facing interiors

and more watered-down versions for south-facing rooms

where the light has a chance to ref lect back,’ advises Irene Gunter of

Gunter & Co Interiors. ‘It’s best to embrace the darkness in north-

facing rooms to create cosy, inviting spaces.’

‘Terracotta can be paired with warm metals to add an

extra layer of sophistication, or with pale marbles for a crisp

c o n t e mp o r a r y l o o k , ’ s a y s R o s e l i n d Wi l s o n o f R o s e l i n d Wi l s o n De s i g n.

‘These striking finishes showcase the versatility of terracotta, adding

a sense of depth as well as warmth and character to a space.’

‘The palette has moved on from the stippled paint-effect

Tuscany style of the Nineties,’ says Tor Vivian of Tor Interiors.

‘ Up dat e it wit h mut e d c olou r s , s uch a s dove g rey, or s t ronger c olou r s

like teal, black and white to create a warm space with graphic accents.’

‘Whites work well with this colour, creating a glamorous,

Sixties vibe – especially if you use white walls with a terracotta-

coloured f loor,’ suggests paint and colour expert Annie Sloan.

‘I also love teaming blue-grey with terracotta; the colours contrast

beautifully to create a delicious, juicy contrast.’

‘In nature, we often see terracotta boldly contrasting

with vibrant greens,’ says Jane Rockett, co-founder of Rockett

St George. ‘Do this with accents such as houseplants, Tamegroute

pottery or a green jute rug – or you could paint your doors and frames in

a silky woodland-green tone. The contrast is spectacular and reminds

me of the painted buildings in the busy souks of Marrakech.’

‘For me, terracotta transcends the lifestyle of the

Mediterranean,’ says Thomas Griem of TG Studio. ‘If teamed

with pastels, I would use a dark terracotta to create a strong base.

When using it with bold colours, a very light shade can become the

mortar, patching the colours like tiles in a mosaic.’

livingetc.com 103

the edit

decorating