When I was in Rome earlier this year as part of this Pilgrimage year, I remembered those tiny paint boxes that we used to get for Christmas when I was a kid. Each little square or tube of colour had an unfathomable name; Yellow Ochre, Warm Sienna, Burnt Umber, Terracotta, Vermillion. I had no idea what they were or how they should be used. Not for the green fields and purple hills of Ireland anyway….
Later when I studied art in college I began quite literally to get the picture. These were the paint colours of the Italian Masters because they were the authentic colours of their daily lives!
In Italy everything depends on this golden palette of colours. The washy watery tints that cover the buildings, the interiors, even the food seems to based on that little paintbox of warm hues. From the courgette flowers in the market to the majestic painted domes of the churches, colours are warm and deep.
As the Ireland begins to turn to away from the sun, I am travelling again to another majestic city, Stockholm in Sweden. I’ve enjoyed feeling at home in some beautiful places and if you are wondering what the colour palette in Stockholm might be, next week all will be revealed. Expect to be surprised!
For more of the Rome photos checkout the Gallery here
we have a terracotta feature wall in our livingroom. The new owner plans to paint it oxblood. I smile at her and say (being vegetarian) we plan a seaweed red wall in False Bay!
LOL! Interesting how we each view our world of colour through individual rose tinted spectacles……or not!! Thanks Diana I loved this
You are describing my favorite palate–as you well know since I have your "Ochre" on my wall! This may be one reason why this season, even as it portends the movement towards winter; it is so deep and rich for me. ( I call it the deepening season.) It is the COLOR that makes all the difference. I enjoyed Diana's comment above remembering that the first thing I did upon moving here was paint our dining room a rich terracotta with copper bits in the paint. I swear no one wants to leave the dining table!, instead guests will sit for hours nursing their wine or wee dram of Scotch. They may just be happy with the conversation, and yet I know the color of the dining room keeps them feeling content as well. Can't wait to see your take on the northern palate!
Susie how I would love to sit at that table immersed in the Italian ambiance! It sounds wonderful. I was thinking of you of course and your "Ochre" print above. Something about you choosing that image really made me look at it again. It never ceases to amaze me the emotional connection people have and the choices they make when it comes to what they want on their own wall. For you it was a deep connection and memory of that colour…..now I am in love with that palette too. x
Oh you inspire me Catherine…I hope to plan some sort of walk about for my 60th in a couple of years….and I agree the colors of Italy are like nowhere else…when I saw the courgette flowers I add to smile as we love to fry these up. I look forward to seeing Sweden through your creative, colorful, artistic eyes.
Thanks Donna, yes I adore the deep fried courgette flowers……what a treat! The journey through the year has been wonderful if a bit chaotic. But what's a pilgrimage if you don't step outside your comfort zones?
Beautiful. I love these colors too…in fact my home in Arizona is painted using many of these colors…with eggplant doors. Love!
Robin I would love to see that. And an aubergine eggplant door, a perfectly gourmet combo!!