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Architecture/brick house column colors

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Expert: - 1/26/2010


Question

Decatur porch
Hi Nazim, last year I recovered the old hideous wrought iron columns on my red brick home with wood columns. To cover the wrought iron we had to make the columns big (too big I think). They really stand out and I'm wondering if painting them a darker color than the rest of the white trim might make them look less imposing. I thought about trying to match the color of the concrete steps. What do you think?

Answer
Hi Martha,

To me, the columns don't look that out of scale - maybe slightly but not much.  I would focus on actually toning down all the white, if possible. I think it would make the house look more sophisticated.  Here is an example http://www.motion-space.com/projects/kent-outdoor-kitchen.html - it's not exactly like your house, but this house was painted white before, but we changed the color palette when we added the outdoor kitchen addition. Similar colors/values I think would work on your house.  I could see picking up on the concrete porch color for one of the colors.  Perhaps introduce 2 or 3 new colors.  One could be that the window sashes are painted dark (I see some of the porch windows are already dark), then one or two similar colors to the concrete for the window trim, columns, gutters, and roof fascias.  

Also, I think having some more landscaping would help soften things, perhaps something with some vertical height, especially at the left corner of the porch in the photo, where all the drain pipes are located.  

Good luck!

Nazim Nice
Principal / Architect
http://www.motion-space.com
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    Questioner's Rating
    Rating(1-10)Knowledgeability = 10Clarity of Response = 10Politeness = 10
    CommentWhat great ideas! Thank you so much for your quick response.


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Nazim Nice

Expertise

I am a Seattle Architect and can answer architecture and design related questions. Ask me about material suggestions or usage. Ask me about design options - what is good design and what is bad. Ask me about choosing exterior house colors and furniture layout options. Ask me about detailing and assembling houses or components in the home. Ask me about green design or materials. Ask me about choosing an architect, the architectural services, basement remodels, second story additions, and whole house remodels. Ask me about garage design, bathroom remodels, laundry and mudroom design, family room additions, and roof deck additions.

Experience

Over 12 years of practice in the Architectural field including three years of internship plus 5 years of school. I have taught at the Knowlton School of Architecture at the Ohio State University and lectured at Carnegie Mellon University. I currently own and run the Seattle Architecture Firm, Motionspace Architecture + Design PLLC.

Organizations
National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB, Seattle Architects | Motionspace Architecture + Design. More information at our blog the (un)common house. Lumen ID Custom Engraved Switch Plates with Labels.

Education/Credentials
BArch from Carnegie Mellon University & Andrew Carnegie Scholar

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