Color Families

An exquisite shade for a formal living room, this rich hue is inspired by an 18th century wallpaper color found by researchers in a colonial-era home.

The credit for this rosy, feminine hue goes to a distemper paint found on 18th century wallpaper.

This rich, rather youthful shade of red mirrors that hue found on a circa 1760 English wallpaper border fragment found in the Robert Carter House.

Based on a distemper paint used for printing 18th century wallpaper, this elegant shade draws inspiration from the rich reds found in wallpapers.

A sophisticated and authentic 18th century color, Walnut is a warm mix of iron oxide pigments.

Named for St. George Tucker, one of Williamsburg's prominent citizens, this circa 1798 color was requested for his house facing Courthouse Green.

A robust, deep red, this gracious shade was used on the exteriors of Williamsburg homes in the 18th century.

A favorite shade on the exteriors of Williamsburg homes before 1750, this rich, regal red is timeless.

Striking the perfect balance between trend and tradition, this deep, dramatic brown, circa 1790, was discovered by paint analysts at the George Reid House.

Discovered by researchers on baseboard fragments from historic Charlton's Coffeehouse, this rugged shade of brown is ideal for a study or library.

An earthy deep red, this shade frequently graced the exteriors and interiors of Williamsburg homes, particularly in the first half of the 18th century.

Based on distemper paint from 18th century wallpapers, this creamy color gains depth from a mix of yellow ochre and white pigments.

Tapping the rich yellow ochre pigment used in 18th century wallpapers and paints, this glamorous shade adds a glistening touch to its surroundings.

Reminiscent of the historical pigment found in 18th century wallpapers, this deep mustard yellow has a luxurious, velvety quality.

Distemper paint from 18th century wallpapers is the inspiration for elegant English ochre, which unites shades of golden yellow with light brown.

Inspired by a shade of deep orange found in wallpapers from the early 19th century, this color is warm and earthy.

The mix of white and vermillion, two 18th century paint pigments, create this vibrant and enduring shade of orange.

This warm, deep pink captures the 18th century practice of mixing white and red iron oxide pigments to create shades of pink and salmon.

A color that symbolizes good fortune, this very traditional deep red was developed from a hand-mixed sample using vermillion, a pigment in use since antiquity.

Pure red pigment is the basis for this rich and regal deep red that radiates confidence and grace.

Named after a pigment used in 18th century, this soul-stirring shade of deepest red is dense and rich, flattering any décor.

A red made from naturally occurring iron oxide pigments, reddish-brown Brickyard red has a likable, well-worn quality.

Grown-up and glamorous, this aristocratic shade of deep red was created with red pigments available in the 18th century.

Inspired by paints made with the pigment vermillion, this deep red captures a sense of ceremony and tradition.

A shade with unmatched historical significance, this rich hue made with the pigment vermillion is as relevant today as it was in the 18th century.

Seen in 18th century wallpapers, including a fragment recovered from the Robert Carter House, this rich, romantic shade of deep red casts a radiant glow on its surroundings.

Made using iron oxide pigments in the 18th century, this classic red brick is dense and deeply concentrated, with a pronounced hint of wine.

This deep, inviting shade of plum traces its history to the 18th century, when it was once made using umber pigments.