Last Updated on March 24, 2026 by Rosslyn Tebbutt
Forged by the Sun. Fired by desert. Cavern Clay SW 7701 (290-C6) is the 2019 Sherwin-Williams color of the year.
“We believe 2019 will be a renaissance of the 1970s — with a twist. In the coming year, we will embrace our pioneering spirits and artisan ingenuity,” says Sue Wadden, director of color marketing, Sherwin-Williams.
Well, this actually didn’t come as a surprise. At least not to us here at SampleBoard (remember our post from June when we spotted the Rust color trend and shared tips on how to use it in interiors).
With Boho style interiors trending lately, Sherwin-Williams 2019 Cavern Clay is a natural choice and comes as a promise of a more down to earth, yet refined Bohemian flair.
This warm terracotta hue shows great pride of its ancient history and American Southwestern roots. It pays homage to both midcentury modern style and the 70s boho look. But it comes with a twist – modern desert aesthetic.
Cavern Clay is dignified and sophisticated. It embodies simplicity, renewal, going back to the roots. It matches perfectly with warm wood furniture (preferably vintage or reclaimed ), wordly textiles, lots of greenery, leather upholstery and ethnic or antique rugs.
This rich color evokes the feel of the great outdoors so when looking for colors to complement it, think neutrals. Any hue you may find in nature will work, but warm grays, deep browns, muted greens and white are always a good choice.
Cavern Clay can be equally impressive in both residential and commercial spaces, but unless you are aiming for a very bold statement, we would advise to use it in accents. A statement sofa, cushions, throws, or even an accent wall will give the room a refreshing punch towards a modern desert vibe, but going all the way and painting the entire room in Cavern Clay might be a bit too much for the majority of us. Or am I wrong?
Designed by Kayla from Homeward Hound Interiors using SampleBoard
To get your creative juices flowing, we’ve gathered some of the most aesthetically pleasing images featuring Cavern Clay we could find on the web.
Enjoy and let us know how you feel about this bold shade!
Image credits: 1; 2-3; 4; 5; 6; 7; 8; 9-10
