Expert: Richard Taylor, AIA - 1/29/2008

Question
Hi Richard.  I have been searching and searching for exterior paint color
combination ideas and haven't found exactly what I am looking for.  We have
a traditional 2-story home without shutters that is 2300 sq. feet.  Right now
the paint color combo is Oak Flats with Botany Beige Trim and a darker red
door (Duron paint - I am not sure about the door paint color name).  We are
getting ready to have it repainted and wanted to try and fine something a
little different than we have, but stay with something traditional.  Should we
stick with the same color family when choosing a color?  For example, if we
choose a certain color, should we pick the lighter shade in that same family
for the trim or is that not right?  I was thinking of perhaps Stucco Greige and
City Loft or Snow Ballet or some other combination on this page: http://www.materials-world.com/paint-colors/duron/duron_colors_34.htm

Any help you could offer or any ideas would be most appreciated.  Thank you
very much for your time.

Answer
Kristen - thanks for your question!

Choosing colors is tricky, as you've discovered!  Sometimes the best route is to find a house or a picture of a house that you like and copy their color scheme.

Most paint manufacturers have examples of color schemes, and often they're organized by house style - it can be a big help.  I've used the Sherwin-Williams color schemes many times; their examples are very good.

Once you've chosen the general scheme, choose the colors using a "color wheel" which will help you choose complementary colors and make the job a little easier.  You can find color wheels at any art supply store.  Or, most paint manufacturers can show you how to choose complementary colors from among their standard offerings.

I have also used color consultants several times...they charge by the hour but can save their fee many times over in wasted paint!  Check with your local paint store for references.

I usually don't like darker colors for trim, as it tends to "picture-frame" the windows.  Ideally, you'd choose three colors - field, trim, and accent.  The accent color is the one you want to be darker.  You can find more about this at this link: http://rtahouseplans.com/exteriorpaint.htm

Depending on the house style, it's not inappropriate to paint the field and trim the same color (as long as it's dark).

The colors on the palette you sent me are a bit nuetral; they're variations on taupe.  Try something more bold; reds, greens, rich browns, that kind of thing.  Most complaints I hear about exterior colors is that they're too boring, too light, too much like every other house in the area.  Try something new!

Hope this helps,

Richard Taylor, AIA
www.rtastudio.com
www.rtaplans.com