Bespoke colour: when colour becomes part of the design
Colour selection is a fundamental element of every design project. It helps define brand identity, enhances spaces and creates harmony between materials, furnishings and architectural features. Warm or cool shades, bold or neutral colours, contrasting or complementary palettes all influence the perception of space, light and atmosphere. A carefully considered colour scheme can make an environment feel more welcoming, dynamic, elegant or relaxing while reinforcing the overall design concept.
However, standard colour collections are not always able to meet highly specific project requirements. This is particularly true in contract projects, where compliance with predefined brand guidelines and design specifications has become increasingly important. In these situations, bespoke colour development becomes a strategic advantage.
This is where CAP Arreghini’s expertise makes a real difference. Drawing on decades of colour expertise and a project-driven approach, the company supports its authorised distributors with dedicated tools and technical know-how, from colour analysis through to formulation.
For CAP Arreghini, colour is far more than an aesthetic choice: it is a design tool that transforms functional and creative requirements into durable, consistent colour solutions.
The colour matching process
Developing a bespoke colour is the result of a process that combines technical expertise, industry experience and advanced colour measurement technologies. Thanks to CAP Arreghini’s know-how, every authorised distributor can guide customers through colour sampling and the selection of the most appropriate shade for each project.
The process begins with the analysis of a reference sample, which may be a material, fabric, existing surface, furnishing element or any other object representing the desired colour target. At this stage, understanding not only the colour itself but also the environment in which it will be used is essential. Materials, finishes and, above all, lighting conditions can significantly influence colour perception and the final result.
Once the target shade has been identified, colour samples and application tests are produced to assess performance under real project conditions.
The objective of colour matching is not simply to achieve an accurate colour reproduction, but to ensure long-term colour stability. For this reason, CAP Arreghini continuously develops bespoke solutions capable of maintaining high performance even under demanding environmental, physical and chemical conditions, both indoors and outdoors.
The value of Archipalette for architects and designers
Archipalette is CAP Arreghini’s colour selection tool created specifically for architects, interior designers and design professionals. It offers a curated collection of colours that helps designers and clients identify the most suitable colour combinations for every decorative project.
The Archipalette collection includes 112 carefully selected shades, ranging from light tones to progressively deeper colour intensities. Rather than being a simple colour chart, it is a design tool developed around the latest interior design trends. Colours are organised by family and saturation level, making it easy to create monochromatic, coordinated or contrasting colour schemes. This enables designers to develop balanced palettes tailored to the characteristics of the space, natural light and interior style.
Archipalette allows professionals to view the complete colour collection and compare different combinations directly in-store. Colour cards also make it possible to assess the appearance of each shade in its intended environment before making a final decision.
Designed for architects, interior designers, design studios and decoration professionals, Archipalette is part of the services available through CAP Arreghini’s authorised distribution network, alongside specialist training and dedicated technical support.
The system is based on the structured arrangement of colours within the collection. Selecting two or more shades from the same column creates a monochromatic palette with different saturation levels, while colours positioned close together on the same row generate coordinated combinations. Shades located further apart but sharing the same saturation level create effective contrasting schemes. Once a colour palette has been defined, the colour cards allow designers to evaluate its appearance directly within the project environment, taking into account lighting conditions, room dimensions and existing furnishings.
Architects and designers can request Archipalette directly from CAP Arreghini or through their local authorised distributor.
Lead times and project planning
In contract projects, meeting project schedules is essential, as every stage of construction requires timely decisions and careful coordination. Bespoke colour development forms part of this process. Defining a custom shade requires planning, with lead times varying according to the complexity of the request, the level of colour accuracy required and the verification procedures needed to ensure complete consistency between the design concept and the finished result.
Drawing on extensive experience in the architectural and contract sectors, CAP Arreghini supports professionals in selecting the most appropriate solutions and planning product supply, providing technical advice and practical guidance that help optimise project timelines. Careful planning minimises potential issues, improves coordination across every stage of the project and ensures that bespoke colour solutions are delivered on schedule while maintaining consistently high quality standards.
Technical support for colour specification
From neutral shades to warm or cool palettes, from decorative finishes to highly technical coating systems, colour becomes a design tool capable of defining atmosphere, visual hierarchy and spatial identity. Every colour choice contributes to creating distinctive design languages, whether minimalist, textured, Mediterranean, contemporary or expressive, while remaining fully aligned with the architectural concept.
Successful colour specification requires technical expertise, the right tools and careful planning, particularly in contract projects. CAP Arreghini brings these elements together through a structured research and development approach designed to deliver reliability, consistency and the highest quality standards.
