{"id":347290,"date":"2026-07-02T12:01:36","date_gmt":"2026-07-02T16:01:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.sothebysrealty.com\/?p=347290"},"modified":"2026-07-02T12:01:36","modified_gmt":"2026-07-02T16:01:36","slug":"color-chart-the-joys-of-a-terracotta-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/color-chart-the-joys-of-a-terracotta-home\/","title":{"rendered":"Color Chart: The Joys of a Terracotta Home"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Our monthly series asks: How do you bring color into luxury design? Terracotta is warm and grounding, writes Jill Krasny<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Exterior<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Cascais, Portugal<\/a> | Portugal Sotheby\u2019s International Realty<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some homes make a lasting impression while others quickly fade from the mind. Almost always, the design and color scheme is a factor. Green<\/a>, yellow<\/a> and lilac<\/a> all work in homes with a period feel, while turquoise<\/a> can pop in contemporary and traditional spaces alike.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Terracotta\u2014which our series on color in luxury design turns to next\u2014is similarly versatile, having been deployed in a range of indoor and outdoor spaces for centuries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe use of terracotta goes back millennia, originating from the ancient Mediterranean, where it was used particularly for roof decoration and monumental sculpture,\u201d says Joa Studholme<\/a>, color curator for British paint maker Farrow & Ball. \u201cIts baked-earth color became popular in homes in the 19th century, and now\u2014in our increasingly digital world\u2014it feels warm, comfortable and grounding.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Exterior<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ibiza, Spain<\/a> | Spain Sotheby\u2019s International Realty<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Terracotta is indeed having another design moment, thanks to these historical reference points and modern applicability. \u201cLight terracottas are soft and subtle, still brimming with warmth, and are a wonderful alternative to white if you\u2019re looking for something cozy but not too colorful,\u201d says Studholme. \u201cThey work in both contemporary and traditional homes, particularly when every surface and space is painted the same hue.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Los Olivos<\/a>, a sprawling equestrian estate in San Rafael, Ibiza, features the kind of traditional floors most people associate with terracotta and sun-drenched Mediterranean settings. \u201cThis color responds so well to light,\u201d notes Studholme, adding that it somehow feels richer as day turns to night. Pairing it with rustic details like exposed-beam ceilings and wood paneling imbues the rooms with a welcoming, lived-in ambience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"sitting<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Patagonia, Arizona<\/a> | Russ Lyon Sotheby\u2019s International Realty<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A contemporary ranch home<\/a> in Patagonia, a scenic, rural town in Arizona, feels just as inviting with its terracotta interiors and exteriors. Studholme cautions against using darker versions of the color excessively, noting \u201cits nuanced red-brown pigment can feel a little flat and muddy if underlit.\u201d Nor is it suited to homes with cool lighting, she adds.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But here, peppering terracotta in little decor notes throughout makes the rooms feel extra comfortable, while the muted floor tiling pulls everything together. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLayering several shades of terracotta together creates a harmonious, seamless scheme that flows effortlessly,\u201d says Studholme, as evidenced by a custom-built luxury residence<\/a> in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Set in the exclusive Monte Sereno community, its interiors feel calm and pair well with the earthy palette outside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"interior<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Santa Fe, New Mexico<\/a> | Sotheby\u2019s International Realty – Santa Fe – Main Downtown Brokerage<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A new-build family home<\/a> in Cascais, Portugal, a coastal resort just 20 miles west of Lisbon, combines the earthy hues of terracotta with the greens of nature: both the pine trees surrounding the property and the additional planting built into its design, with foliage tumbling from the upper terraces of the house itself. Large glass panels maximize the natural light, and all three floors are accessible by elevator.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other side of the Mediterranean, terracotta transforms some Moroccan homes into living postcards thanks to a skillful pairing with splashes of bright turquoise. From soaring arched ceilings to sizable tiles, with distinctive trellis-patterned borders, the color helps to create what Studholme calls a \u201cjewel-like atmosphere.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Further proof that a color \u201cplucked from nature,\u201d as Studholme puts it, was made for pairing with lush greens and warm neutrals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Explore our Color Chart design series, from bold red<\/a>, joyful pink<\/a>, zingy orange<\/a><\/em> and<\/em> natural lilac<\/a> to classic green<\/a>, calming white<\/a>, crowd-pleasing blue<\/a>, versatile turquoise<\/a> and uplifting yellow<\/a><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Our monthly series asks: How do you bring color into luxury design? Terracotta is warm and grounding, writes Jill Krasny Cascais, Portugal | Portugal Sotheby\u2019s International Realty Some homes make a lasting impression while others quickly fade from the mind. Almost always, the design and color scheme is a factor. Green, yellow and lilac all […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":232770377,"featured_media":347306,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_wpcom_ai_launchpad_first_post":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1399],"tags":[1412,1537,1480,1490],"class_list":["post-347290","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-home-and-design","tag-arizona","tag-new-mexico","tag-portugal","tag-spain"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Terracotta_Arizona2.jpeg","jetpack_likes_enabled":false,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pf4gbL-1sls","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":385,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/where-to-be-in-2025\/","url_meta":{"origin":347290,"position":0},"title":"Where To Be In 2025","author":"Procurement Admin","date":"January 2, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"From Thailand to Portugal, these are the locations to head to this new year, writes Francesca Perry Sintra, Portugal | Portugal Sotheby\u2019s International Realty One of the best things about starting a new year is making plans. 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Photograph: Fundac\u0327a\u0303o Cultursintra FP Although he only stayed for three days, Lord Byron was so taken by the \u201cglorious Eden\u201d of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Art and Culture"","block_context":{"text":"Art and Culture","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/category\/art-and-culture\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/header-6.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/header-6.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/header-6.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/header-6.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/header-6.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/header-6.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":345187,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/dark-romance-the-magic-of-living-in-a-gothic-property\/","url_meta":{"origin":347290,"position":2},"title":"Dark Romance: The Magic of Living in a Gothic Property","author":"Kate Marburger","date":"October 27, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"From medieval fortresses to modernist castles, Gothic architecture continues to cast its spell. 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Zingy orange is a palette cleanser\u2014and works well with a dash of greenery, writes Jill Krasny Tahiti, French Polynesia | French Polynesia Sotheby's International Realty Ever notice how some homes put you at ease while others seem\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Home and Design"","block_context":{"text":"Home and Design","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/category\/home-and-design\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Header-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Header-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Header-1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Header-1.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Header-1.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Header-1.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":426,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/designing-a-climate-resilient-home\/","url_meta":{"origin":347290,"position":4},"title":"Designing a Climate-Resilient Home","author":"Procurement Admin","date":"March 13, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Today\u2019s luxury properties can have low environmental impact without sacrificing elevated aesthetics, says Elizabeth Fazzare Lisbon, Portugal | Portugal Sotheby\u2019s International Realty To weather the future\u2019s proverbial storm, it\u2019s clear that construction requires a pivot to climate-resilient design: in short, architecture and landscaping that anticipate the effects of climate change\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Home and Design"","block_context":{"text":"Home and Design","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/category\/home-and-design\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/header-3.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/header-3.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/header-3.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/header-3.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/header-3.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/header-3.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":345665,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/color-chart-the-joys-of-a-bright-red-home\/","url_meta":{"origin":347290,"position":5},"title":"Color Chart: The Joys of a Bright Red Home","author":"Kate Marburger","date":"December 18, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Our monthly series asks: How do you bring color into a luxury home? With plenty of heritage, bold red gets people talking, writes Jill Krasny Canaan, New York | William Pitt Sotheby\u2019s International Realty Ever walk into a home and feel uplifted? Or more relaxed? 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