Today’s color dilemma:
I have a question regarding brick. I have a two story house. Red school house brick on the bottom half, shakers on the top. Dark grey roof. I am thinking of a grey with green undertones. The motar in my brick is grey. How deep a color can I make the grey without being top heavy. I am thinking of doing shutters and door in a chimney color (dark, grey). Will this make my house too dull. The trim will be a french white, outling window and bay window. could I please get some feed back.
Barbara suggests:
You have raised a good question. Because your brick is on the lower portion of the house, I am imagining is is a deeper color.
You can probably use a gray of the hue you described, and when you go to the paint store to select the color ask them to show you a color that is on the deeper side of “base 2″ or the lighter side of “base 3.” The “base” designation refers to the depth or saturation level of colors that are possible within a specific range, with “base 1″ being the very lightest. How they are set up will depend on the brand you choose.
RE: dullness - how about a beautiful accent color for the shutters, and a brighter or more vivid color for your front door—something like a deep pumpkin, just for example. Your shutters might then be a rusty color. But, this is just a non-visual guess since I have no idea from your description of what you mean by .”RED brick.” There’s so much variation in actual colors of brick and color names, too, for that matter. Often, if you look closely at brick, what looks “red” also includes hues of rusty orange/brown, mauve/ lilac, deep purple-gray. You can use those colors as a cue for your accent colors for shutters and doors.
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Today’s color dilemma:
I am really struggling with this - trapped by brick around the lower half of my house (yellow-beige with almost no variation in the brick) and dark brown vinyl window frames. Currently the siding, doors and trim around the windows is painted dark brown as well. We would like to go lighter on the siding but are really stuck about what might fit with the two “set” colors. Most of the neighborhood is 1960’s muted - whites, taupes, grays. Both of our neighbors have mostly white houses. Any ideas?
Barbara suggests:
Try something earthy but not of the same color family as what you currently have that can’t be changed. Perhaps a gray-green-something mossy or sage type. Maybe it could be just a little deeper in color than the brick. It’s hard to say exactly, but this could be a color direction you might try.
Another idea in a different direction: Rust type. But as I often say, it’s hard to make a recommendation without seeing even a picture, so you will have to test,test,test, on large areas, and view the colors at different times of day on different areas of the house - to see what looks good.
Suggestion: Use Tru-Hue test boards or poster boards, at least two of each color and at least 24 inches square for your testing.
If you use poster board prepare them just as if they were the actual siding by starting with a coat of prime. If you use the Tru-Hue test boards they are already prepped so you can skip the Prime. Then roll two or three coats of your color.
You will be able to move them around, tape them to the siding, etc. Do NOT do little brush strokes of colors on the side of your house, it won’t give you a true idea of the color and just leads to being more confused.
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Sometimes color calls out to me and that was certainly the case yesterday.
I had a short time to spare in an area of Maryland that I don’t get to very often and certainly don’t know well so was driving along on the main road that runs parallel to the bay when without even giving it but a split second thought I decided to turn in to a small, older waterfront community.
Before I had even driven the couple of blocks to the waterfront I could see this amazing roof on the home at the end of the street.
This multi color tile work may be common in some places but I don’t recalll seeing anytihng like it before.
Here’s a view from the other side where you can see the roof peak and the round attic vents.
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Reader’s color dilemma:
I’m going to turn this into a bistro. Would love some suggestions. The theme is Mediterranean ( mostly Italian). Inside decor will be darker (mostly reds and browns) Any suggestions would be appreciated.– janemuir
Kate suggests:
I think this home will make a cute bistro. While the darker colors you mention could work on the interior I would start with something a bit lighter on the exterior. It will not only make the place look a bit bigger but will give you a canvas to add some details that can carry your theme to the exterior.
I’d start by painting the main part of the house with a color like Valspar 3004-8A Oatlands Gold Bluff or the slightly lighter 3004-6B Oatlands Yellow. Use a creamy white for the trim that has the same undertone.
I would go with a toned gray for the shutters. Something with a bit of color in the gray but not too much. 5001-4C Slate Court could work nicely but before putting it on slap on a coat of reddish brown first and let it dry. You don’t have to do this to carefully because it is an undercoat. Just avoid sloppy paint spills or drips. Once dry give the shutters a nice coat of Slate Court. When completely dry…and I mean completely…hit some of the high points with sandpaper to allow some of the undercoat color to come through and give you an aged look.
You can do the same thing with the door. You could use the same undercoat color as long as it looks different enough from the door color or you could go with a shade of blue or even use the leftover paint from the shutters. Again give the door a nice coat of a color like Valspar 1008-5A Belle Grove Flamestitch Red and then give it an aged look with a bit of sandpaper.
You can try out the look on a piece of scrap wood to make sure you like the way the undercoat looks when it comes through. You should also test out the main exterior, trim, door and shutter color on test boards so that you can confirm that the colors work perfectly before you begin painting.
You don’t mention if you are going to keep the awnings but if you could match them to the main house color, the trim color or do something a bit creative.
Giving the aged finish to the door and shutters will begin connecting your guest with the theme before they even get inside. A bit of landscaping to anchor the house and a few planters that look like they came directly from the Italian countryside and I think your place will say “Italian Bistro– Come on in!”
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Today’s decorating dilemma:
Your advice is wonderful, and I’m hoping my home can be helped as well. Here’s why: Built in the 80’s, my country style home has 4 brick colors: a few tan, mostly orange, very few charcoal brown, and some a light orange. Currently, trim (over garage and all around, is slate blue. Shutters are blue with white trim. also have a country railing (white) around front porch. (all windows are those 80’s brown) My husband won’t repaint until I choose a different color, and we must paint extremely soon. I hate orange and brown…
Can you help? ~Donna
Bethany*suggests:
Yes!! To start off with, notice all the different colors in the brick. There must be a color in there that you can embellish, such as the tan. The tan/beige colors also will look very well with the slate blue. Also, slightly changing the existing brown color will make more of a difference than you might think.
A color of past decades is repeated years later altered slightly gives it the updated look. A slight change makes all the difference!!
Another idea would be to take out the slate blue color altogether and replace it with the dark charcoal brown, 6076 Turkish Coffee, you have mentioned for the trim. This color will look fabulous when coupled with a lighter color (pulled out of the brick conglomeration) such as Sherwin Williams Tatami Tan 6116 for the shutters. Instead of just plain white for the rails, you can choose a white version of Tatami Tan: 7124 Crescent Moon- this slight change will give the home a cozy glow.
*Not just Any Beth
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17th Apr. '08
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Tags: exterior, garden, outdoor living
Authored by Kate Smith
I love Adirondack chairs. Sure there are so many more wonderful choices now for outdoor furniture and many are practically no maintenance and as comfortable as your favorite sofa but those are more like fabulous new friends not my much loved grandfather.
There is just something that is just so classic about this long-time favorite of mine but even my grandpa changed his look now and then. In his case it wasn’t always as success as these updated Adirondack chairs but that was part of his charm. (more…)
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Unless you live on a large piece of land or deep on a wooded lot you need to consider the colors of the homes that surround your home.
You will want to select an exterior color that is different but works with the other homes in the neighborhood. You can pick a color that blends in or one that stands out but not one that clashes with (more…)
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Many are the clients whose biggest challenge is selecting paint colors for their wooden houses when they are “stuck” with partial brick or stone façades. In my experience, this can actually be a plus.
You see, replacing stone or brick is expensive. However, using these fixed features as your color inspiration, or seeing them as part of your overall color scheme, can help narrow down your color choices.
For example, if the majority of your house is shingle and/or clapboard and the entry area is brick, start by identifying
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When it comes to picking paint colors for rooms, we look for inspiration in many places: existing furniture, accessories, artwork, colors from our travels or our favorite seasons.
Color Palette generated from photo at Pic2Color.com
So where does one gather inspiration for their home’s exterior paint colors? We start by locating colors that are deemed suitable to the style or period of the house, or by trying to replicate someone else’s excellent house paint colors.
These methods work, but why not attempt to make a more personal statement just like you do on the inside? If the answer is “fear of making a mistake”, it is time to conquer your fear! You can do it. And the great news is that, with the right color choices, the exterior and interior of your house will become cohesive and represent your personality and design tastes.
Raspberry Truffle, Lemon Chiffon, Bella Blue**
One of my clients LOVED her deep red dining room, painted Ben Moore’s Raspberry Truffle. When she moved into her small, newly renovated Greek revival she decided to paint the outside her favorite interior color. Wow, what a stunner! The trim is Lemon Chiffon and the doors are Bella Blue. This is one of the happiest looking, most elegant homes I’ve ever seen!
So, be careful to test your colors, but don’t be sheepish. Adventurously chosen exterior colors can transform a so-so home to a thing of beauty.
**Please note: Due to individual computer monitor limitations, colors seen here may not accurately reflect Benjamin Moore paint colors.
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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:
California Paints Historic Colors of America…
Sherwin-Williams Historic Colors…
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