Sixteen New Essential Colors
The Story Behind Our New Colors
Color in architecture is more than simply one option among others; it reveals
architecture and its underlying values to the human sense of vision. We only see
color differences—that's all. (It really is a big deal—one of evolution's major
achievements. For more on this, see my free Webinar
in English.) The
architecture revealed to us by color is, of course, constantly evolving: our lighting
is improving, interior design concepts are adapting to new needs, and our deep
yearnings for sustainability, authenticity, and a sense of meaning are growing in
step with the flood of false advertising and contradictory statements we confront.
Our 16 new essential colors were developed to respond to these shifts in contents and values.
We present our new colors and the sories behind them below. But please beware –
screen color representations cannot reproduce the tactile feel and depth of real
paint colors. For authentic, hand-painted samples, order a copy of our new color chart
for € 26 І CHF 26 excl. VAT and shipping.
It showcases a handmade sample and full-length color story of each of the 16
new colors. If you do not yet have Katrin Trautwein's reference book of color for
architecture and design, order it for € 80 І CHF 80 excl. VAT and shipping. It
showcases a total of 257 handmade color samples and color stories to match,
and the new colors are all included.
Whites
The chalk deposits that form the famous chalk cliffs on the island of Rügen and at
Dover are exceptionally pure and luminous. The nearly colorless, subtly gray
chalk consists of tiny, round coccoliths (photo left, a electron microscope scan of the coccoliths). These natural pigment particles produce
a beautifully soft white that reflects light from its pores in an inimitable,
characteristic manner. Use this white to achieve a gentle, luminous finish in
bright, light-filled spaces.
French White is a bright, sophisticated color that has its origins in the elegant
villas of France. This distinguished paint color is handcrafted from the soft, porous
belemnite chalk from Châlons-en-Champagne, which gives it subtle, warm undertones (photo on the right, French chalk pigment). It is ideal for walls, facades, and lacquers designed to convey a touch
of French elegance.
Light neutrals
The aptly named color Sand is a pleasing, easy-to-use hue that is extraordinarily
balanced. Unlike other bright hues made from the natural pigment umber, this
one lacks green pigment particles. The velvety white, made from the finest grains
of sand, appears warm and inviting, harmonious and balanced even in spaces
with high levels of artificial lighting. It is a light pastel shade that balances all
contrasts.
Compared to sunlight, moonlight is less intense and significantly cooler in hue.
This distinctive color captures the light spectrum of the moon. It is a luminous
gray for restrained elegant backgrounds for spaces with dark wood furnishings,
dark wood flooring, and white trim. Full Moon Gray is also an excellent choice for
modern, Nordic-style, minimalist interiors with a clean, understated mood.
Grays
Polar Gray is a light gray shade that brings the fresh, clear effect of Arctic light
into interiors without appearing overly cool. Its balanced blend of cool blue and
warm gray undertones creates a calm and elegant atmosphere. Suitable for
Scandinavian, minimalist, and biophilic interior design styles, Polar Gray lends
rooms a timeless sense of clarity and serenity.
Mineral Gray is a deep gray that falls between Anthracite and Iron Gray on the
spectrum of neutral grays. Made exclusively from natural stone pigments, this paint color has a
remarkably soft appearance and a distinctive, velvety feel. Mineral Gray is ideal
for those who prefer an elegant color scheme of neutrals crafted from high-
quality natural materials.
Umbers
This color, blended with natural stone pigments, has the beautiful hue of the
sandstone found near Bern. This sandstone is omnipresent in the architecture of
the surrounding cities. Not only does it give many historic buildings their
unmistakable appearance, but it also connects them to the surrounding
landscape. This fascinating greenish-brown color can be used to create a
visible connection between the colors of nature and the architecture, both for interior and façade design.
The medium brown color called Irish Umber has its origins in a crumbly variety of
gneissic rock from the north coast of Ireland. This particular natural stone, which
can be ground to make pigment, supports a thriving ecosystem of rare plants and
butterflies. Everything flourishes against the backdrop of this loamy, richly
variegated color, both on-site and when this paint is applied to facades and
interiors.
Yellow
The Italian designer Giulio Ridolfo sought a yellow without a green tint for the
library of a German castle. To illustrate his vision, he sent us a photo of the 'Light
Queen Lucia' shrub rose, named after Saint Lucia, the patron saint of light. This
cheerful color adds warmth and a touch of luxury to well-lit spaces, making it
ideal for sophisticated interior designs.
Red and Pink
Calypso Red is a seductive, earthy paint color made from the natural earth
pigment Venetian Red. This sensual color offers all the ecological benefits of
natural pigments while serving as a classic red that is deep and luxurious without
being overly brownish. It is the perfect choice for those seeking a completely
natural red to enhance their designs.
Inspired by the delicate rosy pink petals found in English gardens, this color
brings a touch of elegance to stylish interiors. This refined shade pairs
wonderfully with dark umbers, dark woods, and any dark gray tones. It
complements all natural materials, making it an ideal choice for creating warm
and romantic spaces.
Tender Pink is ideal for those who don't usually favor pink. Subtle and barely pink,
this mineral-based hue leans more toward a white-gray-blush color than true
pink. It harmonizes particularly well with dark gray, greenish-gray, or cool gray
shades. Paired with these colors, Tender Pink appears almost white, yet it exudes
a subtle, extremely charming glow.
Two new blues
Scottish Blue draws on the rich cultural history of woad, a plant that was the
primary source of blue dyes before indigo's introduction. This earthy blue color
brings both tradition and timeless appeal to design projects. It is a versatile
shade that appears calm, traditional, and elegant in any context.
Petrol is a fascinating wall paint because it remains ethereal and undecided
between blue and green. This characteristic strong play of colors opens a wide
range of possibilities for interior design. When used in spaces with warm LED
lighting, Petrol balances the amber lighting, creating a more natural ambiance.
Paired with natural reddish-brown materials like wood or brick, the full color
spectrum is covered, with seamlessly blended cool and warm tones.
Greens
This versatile, natural green is inspired by the shade used on the ground level of
Le Corbusier's Villa Savoye. By painting the base green, the architect merged it
with the green of the adjacent forest, allowing the white upper level of the
building to float above the site. This perfect harmony of architecture and nature
is achieved through the powerful natural effect of this green color.
Weltos Green, derived from the ancient Indo-European word “Weltos” meaning
“forest,” simply means forest green. This timeless color is a lighter, more muted
version of Deep Pine Green. It creates a calm, cozy atmosphere and is particularly
appreciated in interior design, as it fosters a deep connection to nature without
being overpowering.
Which colors are being discontinued?
We are replacing several colors that do not perform well with the current
generation of lighting. Naples yellow, for example, absorbs the green component
of modern LED light sources and therefore loses the characteristic, sunny effect
that made this color so useful. The replacement, Queen Lucia Yellow, does not
reflect much green. A second example: Rose Clair gave way to Tender Pink. Rose
Clair was radiant with incandescent light bulbs, but today's standard 2700°K LED
luminaires make it look like a dull shade of salmon. Tender Pink was formulated to
be bright, clear and radiant under any lighting.
Request our archived colors
Should you need a quantity of any archived paint color, you can order them in the
desired finish. We have the recipes, the references, and the beautiful pigments
we need to produce more of your cherished color. Contact us for details.
Are the new colors classics?
At ktCOLOR, we do not focus on trends and fashions. Instead, we are more
interested in discovering the deep desires that drive them. With our unique
collection of rare pigments, we can mix an infinite number of hues. While hues
may come and go, the pigments themselves are classics. We adapt them to new
forms of lighting, new concepts for living spaces, and the current desire for
bright, eco-friendly spaces. You can count on our paint colors to always be
sustainable, harmonious, and close to nature. Your designs will be loved and
memorable for a long time because they tie into deep emotions.
Our promise
Our new colors are made from classic natural and mineral-based pigments. They
are water-based, free of Forever chemicals, made almost entirely from natural
resources and our production runs on renewable energy (hydropower). As always,
our products stand for Swiss quality, handcraftsmanship, sustainability and health
for humans and the ecosystem. Visit our online shop or arrange a consultation with our color experts to familiarize yourself with the benefits and beauty of our
colors.
The book 225 Colors: A Selection for Architects, Conservators and Designers
This book by Katrin Trautwein is an indispensable tool for anyone interested in color selection. The publication presents each of 257 colors with a hand-painted, authentic color sample and a story about its unique applications in design. The colors are displayed alongside similar tones on 19 hand-crafted color charts with . The accompanying text is filled with design suggestions, and an index of all colors completes the book, which is housed in an elegant linen slipcase. Newly updated to include 16 additional colors introduced in November 2024, this rare find is a valuable resource for architects, designers, and color enthusiasts alike. Recognized as one of the year’s most beautiful books in the year of its publication, it is bilingual (English and German) with 184 pages, 19 color charts, 257 genuine color samples, and a hardcover linen binding. Priced attractively at CHF 80 | €77 (excl. VAT).
Have the book already? Update with Color Chart
This handmade color chart features 15 handmade samples of the latest key additions to the ktCOLOR collection (introduced November 2024). The most recent additions to the palette were optimized for their spatial qualities under modern LED lighting. The color chart is accompanied by color stories that highlight the unique features of each color and design tips on four pages of text in English. Size 19.5 x 26 cm, sample size: 5.2 x 2.1 cm. Available for CHF 26 | €26 (excl. VAT).
Dr. Katrin Trautwein
9. November 2024
Bildnachweis │ Photo Credits
Rügener Weiß: ©https://aquaticallatin.info/coccolithophore
Französisch Weiß: ©Omya AG
Sand: ©Creative Commons
Vollmondgrau, Petrol: ©shutterstock.com
Polargrau: ©Sereina Wirz
Farbkarten, Erzgrau, Irische Umbra: Beka Bitterli, ©ktCOLOR
Berner Sandstein: ©Corinne Wenger
Lichtkönigin Luzia: Foto von Giulio Ridolfo, ©ktCOLOR
Kalypso Rot, Weltos Grün: Martin Peter, ©ktCOLOR
Schottischblau: Privatkundschaft, ©ktCOLOR
Busk Grün: ©Alexander Troehler