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.   

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Today’s color dilemma…

“I have chosen to do my daughters room in pink, black and white. I don’t want a light pink, but I don’t want Pepto Bismol either.

She is 11 yrs. old and we are going to put black and white self adhesive polka dots on the pink. Any suggestions? –gg

Kate’s suggests…

Pink, black and white is a great choice for you daughter’s room. A classic color combination that is often associated with the 1950’s, poodle skirts, and rock and roll this combination has stood the test of time and polka dots are a natural in this colorway.

Many designers, artist and do-it-yourselfers enjoy creatively using pink and black polka dots. Here are a few items found on etsy that make imaginative use of this theme: tags from paperologie, the tote from baffinbags, or the hanging tiles from parischicboutique.

Pink, black and white is a popular color theme chosen by young women on Polyvore’s outfit editor site as seen in the outfit above but women of all ages seem to find this combination appealing as you can see by the response to Grace’s post about this color combination on her blog Design Sponge.

Just like the Donghia fabric I wrote about recently Madeline Weinribe has given an updated look to this suzani fabric through her use of pink and black.

While once considered mainly a feminine or “girly” color it has acheived more widespread popularity among members of both sexes as I talked about last month on Live In Full Color.

As you already recognize walls painted pink can make a bold statement and some hues of pink may be overwhelming. I think that the key to enjoying the color for years to come is to chose a pink that is a bit more sophisticated and let the polka dots add the playfulness that attracted your daughter to this color scheme and decorating style.

A middle value hue will give the room the fun feel I believe you are after but it will also be restful enough so that your daughter can have a peaceful “beauty sleep” each night.

The wall in this room designed by Diamond Baratta and featured in House Beautiful are covered in Ralph Lauren’s Spectator Pink in linen, which goes beautifully with the black and white houndstooth rug. This is the intensity and value of pink I would recommend.

A couple of other options might be Silk Kimono #MS011 from the Martha Stewart collection, Berry Red 2 #LA202 or Plaster Pink 2 #302 both from Laura Ashley Home or Valspar’s Seaside Retreat Pink Flamingo #SR504 all of which are available at Lowe’s.

We’d enjoy hearing how the project turns out and having you post before and after pictures on RoomVues.

If any of our readers have suggestions for other pinks that they have used successfully please let us know in the comments.   

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