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Architecture/exterior paint colors

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Expert: Rikki Nyman - 7/10/2009


Question

1932 colonial
Hi. Our house was built in 1932 and is in desperate need of a paint job.  I would like to use colors that are reflective of the time period in which it was built.  My husband is interested in using a lighter color on the house and darker colors for trim and shutters. I'm not so sure. I can't imagine those large columns being anything but white. Any suggestions? Our neighbors to the right of use are in a split cedar siding home very similar to ours--same gray as ours. Our neighbors to the left are in a wooden house that appears to be stained (natural brown color). I like colors that are a combination of taupe and gray, then we could use black, deep red (like rust), or a dark blue green color for shutters and door. I don't want to clash with our neighbors. I also am not convinced that the trim around the roof and the windows can be anything but white. I would love to hear your opinion. Thanks for your help!

Answer
Your house is really, really attractive as it is!  Of course, its being the same color as your neighbors' diminishes both houses slightly because the merits of each can't really shine as they might with a bit more contrast.

House painting has become more adventurous in recent decades, but in the 1920s and 30s, great attention was paid in creating a dignified exterior, which you have achieved with the gray.

Using white or ivory for pillars and window sash is very traditional in early 20th century colonial homes. Body colors were more diverse and ranged across the color spectrum. That said, most homeowners were likely influenced by period publications that showed grays, browns, yellows including butter and mustard shades, some blues, greens, and occasionally barn red. Shutters were often painted to match the roof.

You might consider a light body in a sagey green with dark charcoal shutters, retaining the white pillars and sash. The body color could also be taupe or pale yellow, too, which is often very pretty.  I tend to steer away from blues that can fade depending on the quality of the paint. You can paint the entry a contrasting color if you want to add an extra jolt of color. The dark blue-green might go well with the right shade of sage green or a brick red entry might look smashing with a yellow body.

Try a couple different schemes in back to test the paint color and combination on your house. Take it slow ... you have a month or so to make a final decision and still paint this fall.

Your house is so pretty, you could easily stay with a similar palette. It's a conservative house, but your instinct seems to be to add some color.  Have you considered adding some spot color in the flower beds?  Geraniums were a big favorite and can be counted on to provide bright splashes of color from late spring to the first frost.

Hope this helps!
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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