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Architecture/Front Door Color - Red Brick Colonial with White Trim

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Expert: Rikki Nyman - 9/11/2009


Question

W. Essex
Hi Rikki,

I am looking for advice about a good front door color choice for our new house. Our basic dilemma is that all the white trim and siding are very stark. We will probably paint those a softer color down the road. In the meantime, I would really like to make the house more welcoming by painting the front and perhaps the breezeway doors. Would you paint both? Can you recommend a color that would look nice with the multicolored brick and the stark white trim? We're not afraid to use a bold color!

Thanks for your help,
Laura

Answer
Laura -

Hi. My personal favorite for a brick colonial like yours is to paint the front door glossy black.

As an alternate, especially since it sounds like you crave a little color, a saturated hunter green would be attractive. Either one looks really handsome with brass hardware.

As for the breezeway door, I wouldn't paint that the same color. You want to use the front door color to make a statement. It's obvious to a visitor where to go. If you do both, it dilutes the power of your formal entry.

Hope this helps!

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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