Expert: Nazim Nice - 11/5/2009

Question
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
--
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---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for getting back to me so soon.  

Here is a picture of our house.  Please let me know how we should paint the exterior if you have anything in mind.

Thanks,
Lindsey

Answer
Hi Lindsey,

So you have a roof that has quite a lot of red in it.  Take a look at these townhouses on our website:

http://www.motion-space.com/ourwork/ourwork_selbournelane1.htm
(Click thru where it says additional images).

We used the Sherwin Williams Arts and Crafts Colors which stand up to the roof color. The Aurora Brown is a nice color and goes well with the red/brown roof (see this link http://www.motion-space.com/ourwork/ourwork_selbournelane2.htm).  Roycroft Bottle Green is also nice if you want more contrast with the roof.

For trim and accent look at using two different colors out of the same palette like Roycroft Suede and Roycroft Vellum (maybe for window sashes).  I wouldn't go too light on the trim because it will contrast with the dark body color too much. Right now I think that teal/blue color contrasts too much with the body color.

Take a look at the SW Palette.  There are a lot of good colors in it that work on houses like yours.

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

Check out our newest product - Custom Engraved switchplates: http://store.lumenid.com
See our gallery of products: http://store.lumenid.com/product-gallery.html
Send in your own switchplates: http://store.lumenid.com/mail-in.html
Uses for our custom engraved switchplates: http://store.lumenid.com/product-wheretouse.html