Did you ever look at the color scheme on a home and instantly think, “Love it!”? That was my reaction when I saw this home while in Provincetown, MA. I loved the color scheme but even with my knowledge of color it wasn’t immediately apparent to me why it worked so well.
I really had to look at the colors closely but once I did I discovered that there were three reasons that the colors on this home’s exterior worked so well.
I began by figuring out the undertone of the stained siding The shutters appeared to be a very muted tint of yellow-orange and harmonized rather than competed with the siding color but I wanted to be sure both colors were in the same color family.
I keep an NCS color deck in my car specifically for the purpose of generically determining paint colors. I can then use their standard and match to any paint brand’s color. Luckily, I was driving so I had it with me. My iphone color apps are helpful but in this case I really wanted to see the color standard next to the actual surface. I’m only sorry I didn’t think to take a picture so you could see it for yourself but it brings me to the first reason this color scheme works.
1. The color of the stained siding and the color of the shutters have the same undertone
The NCS standard confirmed that both the exterior siding stain and window shutter color had basically the same undertones. In the case of the siding the color is a visual blending of the stain along with some for the original color showing through so rather than guess which color stain would achieve the same results I check with the folks at Olympic Paint & Stain.
From the pictures and information I provided they said that staining the siding Off White would produce this look and that Classic Cream was their match for the shutter color. Of course it is so difficult to show the actual colors on the screen but you can download the color chart or stop by Lowes or your local Olympic retailer to see the actual colors.
I also noted that the copper roofs over the doors, the downspouts and gutters picked up on the color of the siding that is peaking through the stain.
2. The white color chosen for the trim has the same undertone as the siding and shutters.
The trim is quite white but when you look closely that it leans ever so slightly warm rather than cool.
The black wrought iron details punctuate the facade and keep the scheme from seeming too plain. Sometimes all it takes is a small, repetitive, contrasting detail to keep your eye moving across the surface of the home and in this case that is exactly what the hardware is doing.
3. The front door color is a color that complements the siding and shutters
The color on the front door is a muted blue-green and while it is hard to tell in the photo because of the screen door it is in a slightly darker value that allows it to stand out and beautifully complement the shutters and siding.
I didn’t notice it at the time as I’m looking at the pictures I was thinking how the door color reminds me of the bluish-green of copper patina so even if the homeowners allow the copper details to age they will bring out the color in the front door even more.
~Are the colors on your home exterior this sensational? If not, I’d love to help. Simply click here to contact me for more information and pricing for a personal color consultation for your home’s exterior.
That is a gorgeous house! It’s interesting your analysis of the colours being in the same undertone. I have never thought of that when specifying exterior colours. Everyone has their own way of specifying colour!
Maria Killam´s last blog ..Exterior Colour Consultation in West Vancouver; Before & After
I don’t usually focus as much on undertone for the siding and shutter colors either although I do consider it when looking at which white or off-white I choose. In this case though I couldn’t help but wonder if that’s what made the color scheme work. The color for the shutters would not have been one I thought of as my first choice yet after looking at it and asking my self the question about undertone it opened my mind to yet one more way to think about color combinations that might work. It seems its never too late to learn new tricks
Perhaps the fact that it is a lighter exterior color than I am used to seeing in a cedar shake that makes it more significant that they come from same base undertone
frankly in interior colors–I find the same concept works best usually–to try to use the same undertone for walls and trim–because I like tonal shifts rather than contrasting shifts–at least right now I do
Yes, it was lighter than most cedar shake homes in the area and I do think that helped it stand out.
Good point Vicki about tonal shifts. I too like that…at least for now
Kate, you have a way with vocalizing your innate sense of color! I am so impressed with your blog and thank for commenting on our little baby blog
I have already learned so much from reading this morning……If you don’t recall, we met on Bainbridge Island in 2005 at the Eisemann workshop…..
Yes, I remember you and was glad to reconnect via your new blog. Thank you for your nice comments and I look forward to reading more about designs that are ‘well done’ around Seattle.