Homeowners with historic-style homes are often in a quandary as to whether or not to paint the house using a historic palette. If you choose to select colors based on the homes’ architecture, you have lots to work with.
Sherwin-Williams is the first place I turn when looking for historic colors because they have already done all the research into historically appropriate colors. Other manufacturers have historic or preservation palettes which are also very helpful.

Classical / Colonial historic color schemes from Sherwin-Williams
My favorite exterior colors are from the California Paints Historic line. They include incredibly rich greens and blues as well as interesting neutrals in shades of tobacco and caramel. I like all of their reds. The paint colors were developed along with the Society of Preservation for National Antiquities.

Stephen J. Albro House, Newport, RI painted with California Paint Historic Colors
Those of you who don’t live in a historic home can still enjoy using historic colors in pleasing combinations. When I select exterior colors for my clients, I almost always start with the historic paint palettes whether the house is historic or not.
When selected appropriately, they can reliably add elegance to any homes exterior. Most all dwellings can be improved with an eye-catching historic exterior paint scheme.
For more information:








Thunder is good, thunder is impressive; but it is lightning that does all the work.