Summer is heating up. From the vibrant, glowing hues of a late July sunset to the saturated pop of yellow corn and deep red lobsters at a seafood boil, the shades of summer radiate energy and optimism. On the runway, on our walls, on our plates, these trending tones of warm orange, yellow and red reflect a collective move toward joy. The colors are unapologetic. The mood is anticipation. Le Creuset’s newest shade, Cayenne, stars as the center of our “Hot Summer Hues”—a tonal color palette that mirrors the cultural moment and then elevates it with a high-style, monochromatic approach.
Shop Hot Summer HuesIn the kitchen, Nectar, Flame, Cayenne and Cerise spark creativity, happiness and appetite. Hot Summer Hues are colors that take you places—a rich range of sophisticated yellow, orange and red that calls to mind fragrant saffron and turmeric, earthy cayenne and paprika, and fiery chiles from cuisines around the world. Just as cooking with fresh spices or peppers instantly wakes up a dish with a bit of heat, the lively warmth of Cayenne and its supporting shades brightens any kitchen or mood. Learn how to spice up your kitchen with these irresistible hot summer hues.
"From neon reds to juicy oranges to citrus yellows, the hot summery hues symbolize confidence, strength and energy. These stimulating colors have an immersive sensory quality by tapping into emotion and motivation."
Hannah Yeo
Color & Design Expert
Benjamin Moore
Turn Up the Heat with Tone-on-Tone
Whether you want to dip your toe into vibrant shades or dive headfirst into their warmth, the Hot Summer Hues palette offers plenty of room to play with nuance, contrast or monochromatic layering. Partner Nectar with Cerise for a fun, lighthearted take on an absolutely iconic yellow-red color combo. Got a kitchen full of Flame? Bring out its pure volcanic glow by accenting it with the deeper, earthier red-orange of Cayenne. Or, enjoy the same tonal echo effect when you pair Cayenne with its redder companion, Cerise.
Monochromatic design—layering different tones of the same color or color family—is an effortless way to elevate your style, be it in your wardrobe, your home or at your kitchen table. Benjamin Moore Color & Design expert Hannah Yeo explains that tonal layering “creates a rich color experience by adding dimension and depth.” She continues, “What I love about a monochromatic color scheme is that it brings the subtle nuances of the color to the forefront.”
The beautiful paradox of working within a tonal palette is that, together, the colors are simultaneously amplified and subdued. For example, on its own, Cayenne adds a bold, earthy pop to a neutral palette, but when grouped with different shades in the same color family, its fiery heat grows quieter and deeper. This color principle opens a vast range of possibilities to experiment with your existing Le Creuset color collection or to build a kitchenscape that feels as nuanced or classic or vibrant as you are. Ready to spice up your kitchen, but not sure where to start? Explore our hottest shades of summer below:
Cayenne
Culturally inspired and expressive, the rich red-orange of Cayenne mesmerizes with exotic vibrance and the simmering heat of summer. This fiery beauty has a zest all its own, a deeper and earthier companion to Flame, yet more orange than classic Cerise. Cayenne is a warm, versatile color that can amplify other bright shades, or spice up a neutral environment by striking the right balance of bold.
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Cerise
Drawn from luscious hand-picked cherries, the rich, true red of Cerise captures the essence of passion. The deep tones of ripe tomato and juicy pomegranate combine to create this classic, head-turning red. Emphasize Cerise’s timeless radiance by accenting it with Flame and Cayenne—their different tones of orange bring out the full spectrum of Cerise’s beautiful red gradient.
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Flame
Inspired by the intense, glowing orange hue of molten cast iron in the foundry’s cauldron, this vibrant orange was Le Creuset’s very first color. Its clear, sophisticated energy has made the chic hue our trademark since 1925. Flame’s inimitable style pairs effortlessly with a wide range of colors, but its true, volcanic glow adds zing when combined with other warm hues like Cayenne and Nectar.
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Nectar
A joyful, honeyed shade of yellow, the luxurious warmth of Nectar was inspired by nature—think sunny marigolds and golden honeycomb. This soulful, welcoming shade blends a ray of sunshine, a swirl of honey and a hint of caramel. The earthy saffron yellow undertones of Nectar make it an ideal complement to natural neutrals such as terracotta, milky coffee and Cayenne.
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