Expert: Nazim Nice - 5/5/2009

Question
QUESTION: We recently bought a brick house but has siding on gables, etc.  The brick has orange(ish) and gray tones. Current paint is white trim/siding with black accent.  Not sure what the architectural style is. I think it's ranch with two bay windows on front and has an addition on one end with siding (I can send pictures).  The house is on a very wooded lot.  We are conservative when it comes to design and colors.  We are painting the interior with earth tones and blues (so far). We are looking for three exterior colors to go with the brick; one each for siding, trim, and accent.  Can you help? Thank you,
Russell and Lauryn

ANSWER: Hi Russell,

I think it would be helpful to have a couple photos from you:

1. Showing siding on the gables above the brick
2. Showing the addition that has siding

Can you attach those - I have some ideas but would like to see how it would work on the other sides of the house.

Thanks,

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


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: photo three. siding on gable over brick.
Thanks

Answer
Hi Russell,

Thanks for the photos.  Those are helpful.

Unfortunately I'm not going to recommend using the white paint . . . I just don't think it will end up looking like an integrated solution.  It just stands out too much from the brick.

I was trying to find a photo that illustrated a paint scheme and I came across this one:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/alamosquare/2147185455/

It's not the best example but it illustrates the concept:

Look closely and you'll see a dormer that has a green/grey siding color, then a lighter trim color.  I think this color combination would work well with your brick. Note that lighter trim color is a color related to the siding color (not white!) . . . it would be like pulling out a color chip that has the siding color on it, then choosing a few shades lighter on the same chip for the trim color (not too light though).  

I would look at painting your bay windows this lighter trim color.  Then try the darker siding color for the shutters.  I think they'll look more integrated than the dark window color.  I think the dark color works for the window sashes, though.  I would also paint the front door and possibly other doors the dark color.

For the roof fascia, I'd look at painting this the siding color, then painting the gable siding area below the trim color.  This is a little different than the example, but I think because your have the different siding on the gables, that you could accentuate it this way.  The alternative is to ignore the fact that the gables have different siding, and paint all siding the darker siding color, and then paint the roof fascia the trim color.  You might try a little mock up of both (or for a third option, introduce a color between the siding and the trim, and paint the gable that color).

For actual paint colors, look at Sherwin Williams Arts and Crafts colors:
http://www.sherwin-williams.com/do_it_yourself/paint_colors/paint_color_palette/

And also there are some sherwin william colors that have the word 'roycroft' in them.  These are the kind of tones I would look at.  You may not find the right color here, but it will give you a good comparison for how dark to go and the tones.  I have used many of these color on the exterior and they look good.

http://www.sherwin-williams.com/search/roycroft§ion=homeowner

As for other improvements, I'd say you would get the most bang for your buck by making landscape improvements.  The house already has enough going on, but a nice landscape plan could dramatically change the curb appeal of your house. If you are lost on how to do this, it might be worth hiring a landscape architect to help draw up a master plan for you.  Some plant nurseries also provide this service.

Hope this helps!  Good luck - and do paint samples on the house before buying that 5 gallon bucket (I speak from experience having made that same mistake on my own condo)!

Nazim Nice
Architect / Principal

Motionspace Architecture + Design
http://www.motion-space.com
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