Aalto is defined by colour. It forms the foundation of who we are, and inspires everything we design, create, and imagine. Since the inception of Aalto, our philosophy has remained simple yet profound: to create ultra-premium quality paint, and beautiful, unique colour.
With this ethos guiding us, in 2023 we began the process of refreshing the Aalto Master Palette, untouched since 2017. Two years in the making, it represents the culmination of experimentation, collaboration, and a deep respect and understanding of the art of colour.
A Two-Year Journey in Colour
The evolution of the Aalto Master Palette was not a process we took lightly. From concept to creation, it was an exercise in curiosity and craftsmanship, led by a passion to explore what colour means today, and how it can continue to inspire tomorrow.
Inside the Aalto Colour Lab, each hue was created pigment by pigment, layer by layer. Our colourists spent countless hours refining formulations, comparing tones under natural and artificial light, and testing their harmony across real spaces. Hundreds of testpots, thousands of swatches, and endless discussions later, the palette began to take form, one thoughtful hue at a time.
90 new colours have been added to the collection
A Palette Reimagined
The refreshed Aalto Master Palette introduces 90 new multi-pigmented colours, and celebrates the return of 10 archived favourites.
Together with 240 existing shades, they form a curated collection that feels both timeless and fresh, a reflection of modern living.
Every colour tells a story. From soft, atmospheric whites to deep, character-rich hues, each shade has been developed with intention, and was designed to enrich the spaces we live in and the moods we wish to create.
The result is not simply a collection of colour, but a palette to inspire and excite.
The Art and Science of Multi-Pigmented Colour
Aalto’s colour system is unique in its complexity. Where most paints are made using one to three colourants, an Aalto colour contains up to 10. This multi-pigmented approach allows light to move through the colour, creating a depth and complexity that changes with the environment.
The effect is painterly and alive; hues that shift gently from morning to evening, echoing the nuances of colour within nature. It’s what makes Aalto colours instantly recognisable, and why they remain enduring favourites among designers, architects, and homeowners across New Zealand.
The New Fandeck
To accompany the reimagined palette, a new fandeck has been created, designed as both a practical tool and an object of beauty.
Organised with intuitive flow and refreshed tonal groupings, the fandeck makes it easier to discover harmony and contrast across the range. Its considered design reflects Aalto’s ongoing pursuit of excellence, where function meets form, and colour becomes a tactile experience.
A Continuing Evolution
The Aalto Master Palette is more than a collection of colours, it’s an intentional visual expression of who we are. A celebration of design, creativity, and the enduring belief that colour has the power to transform how we feel and how we live.
This launch marks a new chapter in Aalto’s story, one that builds on decades of colour expertise and continues our commitment to creating beautiful, enduring paint made right here in Aotearoa.
The new Aalto Master Palette and Fandeck will be available in stores and online from 1 November 2025.
The Archive
Any colours retired from the Master Palette can be found within The Archive, or one of our complementary collections
