Linen Off-White or Vintage Cream??

Today’s color dilemma…

We are having our dream house built and the builder asked us to choose our exterior paint colors. We love the older home look and would like to have forest green shutters but can’t decide between “vintage cream” siding, which has a hint of soft butter yellow in it or “linen” off white.

We selected the Rocky Springs model from Poole and are having it built on a three-acre lot. Which would give the older home look? We appreciate any advice you could give. Thank you, Dana

Kate suggests…

I can see why this is your dream home. I’m already envisioning you all settled in with enough time to sip ice tea and browse through a magazine on your inviting front porch.

In looking at your builders design options I think the choices you have made so far are perfect. The forest green is a classic color for the shutters and the green will keep the house tied to the surroundings.

The weatherwood color shingles for the roof would go with either of the exterior colors you are considering.

The good news is that whichever color you choose your home will have the look you are after so you can’t make a wrong decision.

Both cream and off-white have always been popular choices and it would be unfair of me to say that one is going to make the home look older than the other and leave it at that.

My first instinct was to say that you might find the Vintage Cream makes it appear older however because I can never help but to think of the entire scheme rather than individual elements I started to think about what color might work for your front door.

Linen Off-White or Vintage Cream??

In considering the style of the home, the choices you have already made, and the knowledge that you wanted it to look older the color that kept coming to mind was a red but not a bright red but rather a more muted coppery red.

This is an intrguing red by Sherwin-Williams. The color is reminiscent of the Roycroft pottery glazes that was inspired by the hammered copper of early Roycroft metalwork. It is very warm and welcoming which is perfect for a front door.

Because I place such importance on the front door I want it to stand out. If I was to go with Roycroft Cooper Red for the door and the forest green shutters so the linen white would set the red off nicely but the vintage cream with this color would also be lovely just a slightly different look.

So think about your door color. If you were to lean toward a cooler hue such as a historic blue or dusty eggplant the vintage cream would surround it beautifully but if you want to set off a warmer color you might lean towards the vintage cream.

I hope that help by giving you some things to consider as you make your decision but based on what you have told me already I feel confident that whichever you choose the end result is going to be stunning.

Enjoy your new home!

Resources:

• See William Poole home designs
• Learn more about Roycroft Pottery
• Type in your zip code to find your local Sherwin-Williams

**Please note: Due to individual computer monitor limitations, colors seen here may not accurately reflect the paint or material color. Please refer to an actual sample for an accurate rendition of the color.

Which color do you prefer: Linen Off-White or Vintage Cream? Please share it with us in the comments.