# Stone and Chalk — palette recipe

## The idea
- Almost no colour at all: chalky whites, stone greys and charcoal, so the content and photos carry every bit of hue.

## Use it for
- Photography and portfolios
- Architecture and interiors
- Product catalogues with colourful items

## Avoid it when
- Users need colour to tell states apart quickly
- The brand should feel playful or loud

## Colours
- Chalk (background): #f4f3f1
- Plaster (surface): #fbfbfa
- Charcoal (text): #1d1d1b
- River Stone (muted): #5c5a56
- Graphite (accent): #3a3936
- Limestone (border): #d5d3ce

## Accessible pairs
- Charcoal on Plaster — 16.3:1 (AA)
- Plaster on Charcoal — 16.3:1 (AA)
- Chalk on Charcoal — 15.2:1 (AA)
- Charcoal on Chalk — 15.2:1 (AA)
- Charcoal on Limestone — 11.3:1 (AA)
- Limestone on Charcoal — 11.3:1 (AA)
- Graphite on Plaster — 11.2:1 (AA)
- Plaster on Graphite — 11.2:1 (AA)
- Chalk on Graphite — 10.4:1 (AA)
- Graphite on Chalk — 10.4:1 (AA)
- Graphite on Limestone — 7.7:1 (AA)
- Limestone on Graphite — 7.7:1 (AA)
- Plaster on River Stone — 6.6:1 (AA)
- River Stone on Plaster — 6.6:1 (AA)
- Chalk on River Stone — 6.2:1 (AA)
- River Stone on Chalk — 6.2:1 (AA)
- Limestone on River Stone — 4.6:1 (AA)
- River Stone on Limestone — 4.6:1 (AA)

## Principles
- Let images and content supply the colour; the interface stays grey.
- Mark actions with weight, underline and graphite fills rather than hue.
- Use no more than three greys on one screen besides the text.
- Separate areas with space and the limestone line, not with shadows.