PPG Paints Brand Launches Frank Lloyd Wright Color Palette to Honor Wright’s 150th Birthday

The PPG PAINTS brand has unveiled a new Frank Lloyd Wright color palette in celebration of the world-renowned architect’s 150th birthday. Based on a palette developed by the architect in the 1950s, the color collection has been updated by PPG’s color experts in collaboration with the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation.

“The PPG Paints brand Frank Lloyd Wright color collection consists of a blend of Wright’s carefully selected palette from the 1950s with additional modern colors and coordinating interior stain colors, showcasing how harmonizing the palette is even many years after its inception,” said Dee Schlotter, PPG senior color marketing manager. “Even the colors chosen more than 60 years ago stand strong today and coordinate with modern textiles and materials – a true testament to Wright’s timeless design sense.”

The palette is full of earthy neutrals that elicit thoughts of lavish greenery, serene bodies of water and rich woods, and it combines various natural elements known to have inspired Wright during his design years. Rich reds, such as the PPG Paints brand colors Cherokee Red, Wright Deep Rust and Crushed Cinnamon, represent the iron-ore present in many of Wright’s structures. Organic greens, such as PPG Paints colors Wright Green Olive and Woolen Vest, pair with deep browns such as PPG Paints brand colors Wright Oak Bark and Fig Branches to depict the never-ending inspiration Wright found in plants and vegetation.

PPG Paints colors that are new to the palette include: Moth Gray, a brown-gray blend that works well with granite and trending metals; Violet Verbena, a chameleon-like mix of violet, gray and blue that emulates the verbena flower and works well with neutral materials; and Antiquity, a classic butterscotch beige that ties in yellow-based woods used in many Wright-inspired designs.

“At PPG, we find inspiration everywhere, but especially in nature – just as Wright did,” Schlotter said. “The colors combine inspiration from some of Wright’s most iconic designs, such as the TALIESIN WEST and FALLINGWATER homes, with modern hues such as PPG Paints colors Blue Shamrock and Debonaire, helping consumers and designers to create harmony between humanity and the environment.”

Interior stain colors round out PPG’s earthy palette, including DEFT brand colors such as Golden Oak, Spanish Oak and Pickling. These durable stains add a vital piece to the Wright décor story, highlighting the natural wooden elements that he used frequently.

“Wright drew from two sources in determining his palette: the nature of the site, and the nature of the building materials,” said Lynda Waggoner, vice president and director of Fallingwater.

Stuart Graff, CEO and president of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, added, “PPG has the trend expertise to work with the tones from Wright’s original palette and add new hues and wood stains consistent with his vision.”

Recognized worldwide as one of the greatest architects of the twentieth century, Frank Lloyd Wright heralded a new thinking in architecture through his work, using innovation in design and engineering made possible by newly developed technology and materials. His creative ability extended far beyond the border of architecture to graphic design, furniture, art glass, textiles and decorative products for the home.