Terracotta is a warm, earthy color that can be described as a deep burnt orange with a touch of brown. It is a rich and versatile hue that can range from shades of peach and pink to darker browns, with undertones of gray and tan. Terracotta is a color that is associated with indigenous peoples in the Americas, particularly Mexico and the American Southwest. The color gets its name from the Italian word for "baked" or "cooked earth," and it originates from the distinct color of a particular form of clay. The color is ingrained in human DNA, and it has been used for thousands of years to paint homes, inside and out. Terracotta is a timeless color that is famous for its appearance in building materials found in places like the Tuscan region of Italy and the American Southwest.
Terracotta is a versatile color that blends beautifully with palettes featuring both warm and cool shades. It enhances and fits beautifully within styles ranging from minimalist to eclectic. Terracotta looks great paired with cool colors to balance out the warmth. Some cool colors that work well with terracotta paint colors are neutrals and other bold earthy colors including other shades of terracotta. Neutrals that look good alongside terracotta include white, cream, brown, black, greige, and gray. Bolder colors are greens, blues, jewel tones, and other terracotta colors.
If you want to mix your own terracotta color, start with a warm light brown and mix it with red. Brown should be the main color with red being the off shade to bring it to its fullness. When mixing, ensure that you are using paints with the same base and the same brand. If not, you won’t have a problem finding it at a store.
In summary, terracotta is a warm, earthy color that can range from shades of peach and pink to darker browns, with undertones of gray and tan. It is a versatile color that blends beautifully with palettes featuring both warm and cool shades, and it has been used for thousands of years to paint homes, inside and out.