The Rich, Muted Color Designers Are Loving For Subtle Luxury

At the turn of the century, homes became more open-plan, and brightly-colored interiors were replaced with neutral colors like white, beige, and gray. After years of neutral decorating, the beginning of the 2020s saw a swing back into color with rich jewel tones, bright pinks, and a whole lot of blue. But halfway through the decade, this maximalist knee-jerk reaction to white-on-white interiors is giving way to more muted, earthy tones. This earthy new home decor trend features shades that offer a rich hit of color, but are more comforting than attention-grabbing. These colors will satisfy both the color-averse and color-obsessed. 

One such color that has grabbed the eye of designers is Etruscan Red by Farrow & Ball. Red was a popular interior color in the 1940s, but hasn't had a major comeback because it is hard to pull off. Bright, primary red can lean too Christmassy if paired with green accents, or too Americana if paired with blue or white. But Etruscan Red is a warm, earthy red with brown undertones that won't have anyone thinking of Santa or the American flag. In fact, many of the 2025 "Colors of the Year" include brown or red undertones, such as the plum-brown Cinnamon Slate from Benjamin Moore, Behr's plum-red shade Rumors, and Pantone's Mocha Mousse.

Farrow & Ball's Etruscan Red is a very versatile paint. For interiors, it works well in small and large spaces, from moody powder rooms to grand dining rooms. For exteriors, try the Etruscan Red Exterior Eggshell paint, which is made for outdoor wood and metal including shutters, window frames, doors, and outdoor furniture (it looks great on a home with a clay tile roof). 

In the kitchen, you can use Etruscan Red on all your cabinets for a dramatic look, or pair back and use it on a kitchen island or bottom cabinets only. Pair it with cabinets in warm, natural woods, or cabinets that are painted in a light taupe or dusty pink. It's also a great candidate for the color drenching home design trend, which uses the same color on the walls, trim, and ceiling. Color drenching a bedroom with Etruscan Red will create a warm, enveloping effect, and pairs well with decor in shades of brown, plum, pink, or olive green. Farrow & Ball recommends Joa's White as a complementary trim color idea that is more light taupe than white and will blend rather than provide stark contrast. Before painting, use the company's Red and Warm Tones Primer and Undercoat for a flawless finish.