Aalto Colour
Beautiful, multi-pigmented colour, designed for New Zealand
Aalto specialise in the creation and production of beautiful, multi-pigmented colour. We use only the highest grade paint and colourants, and our unique colour system has been designed for those with a passion for colour and creating beautiful spaces.
What is multi-pigmented?
Aalto colours are multi-pigmented, using up to 10 colourants to create a single colour. This results in a final colour that allows the full interplay of light and pigment, creating richness and depth, and colour that changes with the light of the day.
Creating an Aalto colour
Aalto colours are created using a balance of science and art. Each new colour begins with an Aalto colour specialist layering colourants into a paint base, pigment by pigment. During this process, the colour will be repeatedly mixed, brushed out and reviewed until we reach the desired hue.
Once the colour is achieved, the formula and a digital reading of the colour is read into the colour lab spectrophotometer. Here, we confirm that the formula is 'viable' (the pigment loading is correct), measure the colour data (such as RGB and LRV values). We can also use this technology to create derivatives of a colour, i.e. a half strength version.
The History of Aalto
The iconic New Zealand brand was founded in 1993 by Prue Cook, wife of well-known architect Marshall Cook. Known then as Aalto Country Colours, the team worked closely with heritage curators developing colour palettes, as well as sampling colours from the popular UK paint company Farrow & Ball.
The ranges were built on the premise that ‘Aalto makes colour for the beauty of colour’ — colours are built pigment by pigment, in the same way as a traditional artist.
Today, the Aalto ethos hasn’t changed when it comes to colour — we create beautiful and complex multi-pigmented colours.
Our Colours
Master Palette
The Aalto Master Palette is a curated collection of 360 colours; a timeless collection designed to complement the NZ landscape.
This timeless collection captures the essence of classic and contemporary design. Each shade is crafted using our signature multi-pigmented colour system, offering unparalleled depth, complexity, and an ever-changing interplay with the light.
Heritage Collection
The Aalto Heritage Collection pays homage to the diverse style and range of colours used in New Zealand architecture throughout history, from the pastel exteriors of Georgian revival homes to the light and colourful Art Deco style of the Interwar period. Developed in collaboration with the Heritage Conversationist and Advisor to the New Zealand Historic Places Trust Ian Bowman, the carefully formulated hues are the result of extensive research and explorative paint scrapings from throughout New Zealand. Each of the colours have been crafted to embody the spirit and elegance of these bygone eras.
Toi Māori Aotearoa Palette
Created in 2002, the Toi Māori Palette was a collaboration between Aalto and a talented team of Māori artists, curators, and cultural experts. The team included Sandy Adsett, Garry Nicholas, Darcy Nicholas, and Roger Neich, each selected for their expertise in Māori art and culture, and their knowledge of traditional colour theory.
Together 21 colours were crafted to celebrate the traditional hues used in early Wharenui but also the rich pigments of Papatuanuku found in art forms. Today, the collection continues to reflect the beauty of Aotearoa, from rich earth tones through to vibrant yellows. Popular for artists and designers looking to incorporate Māori culture into their work, and also for those looking to create a sense of connection to nature.