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Expert: Rikki Nyman - 6/30/2009


Question

1923 House
Hi, just spent an hour on your website - it's great! Couple questions about the home in the picture, built in 1923 in Ohio. 1. What type, ie style, is this home? (I think the front porch is an add on.) It's a full 2 stories, high ceilings w/crown, steep staircase, faux fireplace, basement. 2. What type of exterior colors would be historically correct in your opinion for this home, given the grey roof? I'm very interested in the history of this home, which we got for a steal. I've been looking through old catalogs trying to see if it's listed. Thanks very much!

Answer
Your house is a modern bungalow style. Bungalows came in 101 flavors during the years they were most popular (1905 to 1925). In the 1920s, the Craftsman-style details started to disappear and the exterior details were simplified. You can see that in your house with the narrower eaves, brick piers, and porch pillars. Colonial Revival was the dominant style during the 1920s, but it too started to incorporate some of the restrained detailing of the Modern art and architecture movements.

I think the porch on your house was probably original to your house, but the enclosure was added later. At least they appear to have done a decent job and didn't make a complete hash of it.

As for color, you have lots of options ... much the same as you might paint your home today. Generally, the rule of thumb that was popularly embraced was that one's home should reflect dignity, hospitality, and restraint.

Bungalows are simple, comfortable homes so a simple scheme is generally best. Historic schemes run the gamut, but are generally neutrals like buff, buttery yellow, ivory, or certain colors like steel blue gray, mahogany brown, mustard yellow, and brick red. The many greens include sage, pine, and even pea green. Grays were and still are very popular because, with ivory or off white trim, they look crisp and tidy and are a wonderful backdrop for flowers and perennials. They can range from a taupe-y gray to a lavender gray ... gray is extremely versatile.

The color scheme on the house now is very tasteful and appropriate. The powdery gray-blue with the darker blue trim and the ivory trim combined with the brick is a classic scheme that has been popular for many decades. Three paint colors with the brick is perfect.

Some people feel very strongly that a house should be painted in colors that are "period." I'm a little more catholic about color; it should be tasteful and appropriate to the building, but whatever makes you happy is fine. It's not like you're ripping out the windows and replacing them with vinyl (which is not done by old house lovers).

I hope this helps. Feel free to send me an email direct through AHS if you have more specific questions.

Best regards,
Rikki Nyman
www.antiquehomestyle.com
www.midcenturyhomestyle.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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