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Architecture/Plain little bungalow

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Expert: Rikki Nyman - 5/19/2009


Question

plain bungalow
I have a very plain bungalow built in 1923. The house was simple concrete stucco - which was removed last weekend. From the removal of the stucco, we discovered the house was once a pale yellow - then a mint green - then a peachy beige.
Do you have any suggestions for the new color? We are also looking to install Hardiplank siding - but would really like to dress up the exterior a bit, perhaps with a straight shingle look at the top, plank below. I guess the dream is to have something that looks a little more craftsman-esque... something that will appeal to many because it's just "cute".

Answer
You're right, it is a cute house!

Many of the early bungalow schemes were monochromatic with a little contrast. For example, paint the lower Hardiplank a warm medium gray, the trim a light gray for sash and brackets, and a pearl gray (between the light and dark grays) for the upper shingles. Add a new craftsman-style door with a warm stain to complement. A black window box under the trio of windows with red geraniums would be spectacular. (Instead of the light gray for trim, you could use a dark charcoal gray which is a lower contrast contemporary scheme.)

If you want more color, how about a two-tone brown scheme with the darker color below and the tint above? Use the darker shade for trim. Sage green with a darker green trim and a dark oak door is also handsome. How about a steel gray-blue with ivory trim? Another combo that tends to look well with vintage cottages is a taupe with black trim and front door ... it has a more modern look that many people like.

Lighter schemes of butter yellow with ivory trim or pale gray and white are classic schemes that provide an attractive background for plantings. Both were favorites in the 1920s and have proven themselves over the decades.

On small cottage style homes like yours the simpler the scheme the more elegant it tends to look ... Two colors with a contrasting door is probably as much as you need to consider.

Best regards,
Rikki Nyman
www.antiquehomestyle.com  

Rikki Nyman

Expertise

Residential architectural questions concerning houses designed between 1900 and 1950, where the question pertains specifically to styles, designs, plans, building materials, color schemes, paint colors, interior finishes and so on. I am NOT qualified to answer engineering questions or issues involving construction methods, plumbing, electrical and the like. For example, I can describe what an appropriate color scheme would be for a vintage 1920s kitchen, or sources for plans for Storybook Style houses. I can not tell someone how to replace the electrical wiring in their old home.

Experience

I have been researching old houses and writing about them for more than five years. (See www.antiquehomestyle.com, which is my site.)

Organizations
Oregon Historical Society Architectural History Center, Portland Oregon

Publications
www.antiquehomestyle.com

Education/Credentials
B.S. History, Minor in Architectural Design

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