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About Nazim Nice
Expertise
I am a Seattle Architect and can answer architecture and design related questions. Ask me about material suggestions or usage. Ask me about design options - what is good design and what is bad. Ask me about choosing exterior house colors and furniture layout options. Ask me about detailing and assembling houses or components in the home. Ask me about green design or materials. Ask me about choosing an architect, the architectural services, basement remodels, second story additions, and whole house remodels. Ask me about garage design, bathroom remodels, laundry and mudroom design, family room additions, and roof deck additions.

Experience
Over 12 years of practice in the Architectural field including three years of internship plus 5 years of school. I have taught at the Knowlton School of Architecture at the Ohio State University and lectured at Carnegie Mellon University. I currently own and run the Seattle Architecture Firm, Motionspace Architecture + Design PLLC.

Organizations
National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB, Seattle Architects | Motionspace Architecture + Design. More information at our blog the (un)common house. Lumen ID Custom Engraved Switch Plates with Labels.

Education/Credentials
BArch from Carnegie Mellon University & Andrew Carnegie Scholar

 
   

You are here:  Experts > Arts/Humanities > Visual Arts > Architecture > Paint Colors

Architecture - Paint Colors

Expert: Nazim Nice - 11/3/2009

Question
My husband and I just purchased a 1903 Foursquare home in Grand Rapids Michigan.  We would like to paint the exterior in a traditional Foursquare color.  We have no idea where to start. Please help!

Answer
Hi Lindsey,

To start you should read the article on our website for choosing colors.  You can find it at this link:

http://www.motion-space.com/exterior-house-colors.htm

Then I would start looking at colors in Benjamin Moore's Historic Palette or Sherwin Williams:

This would be a good place to start:
http://www.sherwin-williams.com/do_it_yourself/paint_colors/paint_color_palette/...
In particular the Roycroft colors are good.

For Benjamin Moore you can start here: http://www.myperfectcolor.com/Benjamin-Moore-Historic-Colors-Collection-MPC-s/33...

Also drive our your neighborhood and look for color schemes you like.  That's often the best way to figure out a color scheme.  Not necessarily to copy, but to see how dark or light you want the body, trim and accent colors.

Feel free to re-post with a picture if you want more specific advice.

Good luck!

Nazim Nice
Principal / Architect
http://www.motion-space.com
--
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Read our blog at: http://seattlearchitects.blogspot.com/
See our completed projects at: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-architects-projects.htm
Looking for an architect?: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-architects.htm
What are the typical services of a design firm?: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-architecture-firm.htm
Remodeling your bathroom: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-bathroom-remodel.htm
Laundry and mudroom design: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-laundry-mudroom-design.htm
Remodeling your entire house: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-whole-house-remodel.htm
Information on Seattle Home additions: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-home-addition.htm
Adding a roof deck: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-roof-deck.htm
Choosing exterior colors and materials: http://www.motion-space.com/exterior-house-colors.htm
Read about remodeling your basement: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-basement-remodel.htm
Need to add more space? Consider a second story addition: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-second-story-additions.htm
Information on common residential projects: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-residential-architects.htm
Frequently asked questions of architects: http://www.motion-space.com/frequently-asked-architect-questions.htm
Sustainable and green design resources: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-architects-green-design.htm
Information on garage additions: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-garage-addition.htm

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