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Architecture/Exterior color scheme on brick ranch

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Expert: - 3/23/2010


Question

Front of house
We want to remodel our ranch style brick home, built in 1992.  We also want to update the exterior.  We live in the country and want to stick to a rustic theme.  Our house has cedar trim and shutters and we have stained/treated them one time in the 4 years we have owned the house.  Looking to possibly paint/replace the shutters and/or stain a darker color.  Want the house to pop but not stick out in our pine thicket!  We currently have brown garage doors.  We plan on putting on a natural (silver?) metal roof in the next few months.  Thanks for any help!

Answer
I would perhaps look for some solid body stains and experiment a bit. I would stick with a darker color, perhaps in the red tones to stay with the brick color. I can see why they were mixing in the wood on your house, to avoid steel angles to support the brick over the windows, so my feeling is that it would look better if those wood pieces didn't stand out too much from the brick.  I could see a red-brown color looking good. If you want more punch/contrast I would go darker and perhaps just dark brown like the windows. More modern would be a warm charcoal color.  If you want "color" I'd say a dark blue-grey-green color.  It will need to be a pretty 'muddy' color to look right (earthy colors).  

Nazim Nice
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    Questioner's Rating
    Rating(1-10)Knowledgeability = 10Clarity of Response = 10Politeness = 10
    CommentThanks for a fast response! Your suggestions were right on mark with what I was thinking!


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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.

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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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