Traditional colors of the late 1800s were vibrant.
Paint colors that constitute "traditional" vary widely by time frame. Traditional paint colors for the Victorian era are much brighter than the colors used prior to the mid 1800s, while traditional colors of the early 20th century reflect more muted tones. Each decade of the 20th century seems to have its own palette, and even within each era, color selections vary based on whether they are interior or exterior and the intended use of the area you will paint.
Antique Colors
Whether you are discussing fine art oil paints or home decorations, the oldest paints were made from pigments readily available in nature. Clay, ash, charcoal and plant materials were used to make a range of warm colors, both pale and dark, including reddish browns, dark oranges, yellows, sage and olive greens and a variety of grays. White paint was often made from gypsum, the same substance modern wallboard was made of. These colors were common from the earliest days of painting until the 19th century, then experienced a resurgence in popularity in the early 1900s but with a few changes due to the development of titanium-based white paint for brighter whites.
Late Victorian Colors
In the late 1800s. from about 1850 to 1900, with some continuation through about 1906, vibrant, multicolored houses became quite common, especially among wealthier classes. Vibrant pinks, purples and blues were added to the public palette, while reds, yellows and oranges became brighter. Browns and whites were still used, but light exteriors with dark trim were swapped for colorful exteriors with lighter trim. Complementary colors were favorites in the first two decades of this era in paint colors, while multiple tones of similar colors gained popularity after 1870.
Traditional Colors of the 20th Century
Other traditional paint colors prior to the 1920s include variations of peach in muted to medium tones for a variety of interior rooms and deeper blues, greens and blue-green blends for rooms dedicated to more upscale entertaining or as exterior colors. Blues and other cool tones increased in favoritism in the 1920s along with the introduction of Art Deco styles and the growth in the popularity of jazz music and style.
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