Anyone out there know about paint colors that would be correct for a specific style of the house? I need to paint the trim and windows on my house. House was built in 1924. I am thinking that it is a bugalow/craftsman blend. Lots of woodwork, wood floors, wood trim, etc. However, the exterior is brick. It seems to me that all the bungalow and craftsman houses I have researched have wood exteriors. So, I'm not quite sure where my house fits.
I have found a picture of the house in the Toledo Library archives. Photo was taken in 1937 so, unfortunately, the photo is in black and white.
I have tried googling bungalow paint colors but not had much luck. I have also looked at "American Bungalow" magazine but just don't feel right about the colors or houses I am seeing as fitting my house. I want the house to be distinctive but not garish. I guess the word would be "stately". I may be full of myself but since I plan on living here a long time, I want my house to be presentable. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
You can see the 1937 pic here: http://tinyurl.com/2fwnud7
Any chance you could post a current pic? Maybe the one from Aeries? A color photo would probably help jog more suggestions from people in the know like Upso, etc.
Myself I have no suggestions due to barely being able to match socks in the morning.
In my 20 some years of painting I have never heard of a color being specific to a certain type of house.
Your best bet would be to go get a color book and see what looks best to you, unless there are regulations on what colors you have to choose from. Most people in older homes I have done do the windows and trim in a white exterior satin.
I forgot also if you go to Sherwin Williams they used to have books that had all the colors that would go together. For example they would have trim colors, and then the color the door should be painted, and so forth.
When choosing colors for our 1904 home I consulted a swatch book from Farrow & Ball: http://www.farrow-ball.com/
Many of their colors come with a short blurb about it's historic uses. Like this: http://www.farrow-ball.com/pavilion-gray/colours//fcp-product/100242
lfrost, I mean specific to the period. Victorians were painted in a specific color from the gingerbread to the window trim to the doors and exterior. Bungalow and Craftsman houses the same. I have seen old paint charts that came with the houses you used to be able to buy from Sears. These were suggestions on which color to paint the finished house. I just need to pin down the style of my house and then I can pull the trigger. Here is a picture of my house as it is now:
You might try the library. I have found a few books online that are supposed to give suggestions
Have you looked at the This Old House website? They have a lot of helpful information about things like paint finishes.
Let me google that for you ;-)
http://tinyurl.com/3753ssg
Also, check out www.oldhousejournal.com. I get the magazine and love it. While I am not handy at all (but, thankfully, the mister is) I love looking at the pix they show of restorations. You could probably even write to them and get some ideas.
Sherwin Williams used to have color cards that were era-specific. They had Victorian, Arts and Crafts (like your house), 50's art deco & so on. But I would check out The Old House Journal magazine, too. Do a search for arts and crafts houses online. The Arts& Crafts/Craftsman/Bungalow style is very popular right now for new homes. Great classic style and craftsmanship - my favorite!
Historical colors? Paint it red, white, and blue. That'll make you the most noticed house on the block for sure.
I would take into consideration the color of the roof shingle. On the photo the roof looks tan. Tan [trim] and green go together nicely.
the house is a hybrid - some details are definitely craftsman such as the columns of the front porch and the chimney. however, the form and configuration of the masses of the house are wrong for craftsman (the pediment too dominant; the main mass parellel to the street too small) - so too are the slope of the roof (too steep) and the lack of a large overhang of the roof beyond the exterior walls.
chimney position on the front wall would have been unusual for a craftsman. brick would have fairly common but wood siding and wood columns with brick or stone plinth or base would be considered proto-typical.
you might actually want to look at pattern plans from the period such as sears or any number of "house beautiful" movement books that were published at the time - this house marries elements of differing styles which accomodated what people were accustomed to in the floor plan with styles elements that were in fashion. it frankly looks like a vernacular southern form with classical symetry and craftsman detailing.
i think the sherwin williams period color combos are a good place to start. i would think a white with a touch of yellow would be correct for the trim with highlights of something like plum or forest green or a burnt umber.
Thanks sandwich. I can see know why I had trouble placing the style. It seems to be a hybrid. A neighbor who has been in the area a long while says that the original builder was a contractor so that may be why it is a mish-mash of styles. I never thought about the "southern"aspect of the house but I believe you are spot on.
Hockeyfan, I was thinking of a large flag painted on the the roof or maybe painting the brick pink or blue. That way the Google satellite camera would pick up my house from beyond Venus.
>>>LOL! How can I do that?
>>>posted by Ryan on Aug 09, 2010 at >>>08:20:58 pm
http://lmgtfy.com/ Wish I would have thought of that!
