Architecture/curb appeal

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Expert: Rikki Nyman - 4/3/2010


Question

Our House
Hello. We would appreciate any suggestions you can give us.  We've selected a color to paint our house a Warm Buff (Valspar).  However, we have white bricks on each corner of the house from top to bottom and right by the front door. I will attach an image.  We are wanting help on selecting a color for the brick, garage door and front door.  We will welcome any other suggestions you may have, including our garden.  We have a limited budget, though.
Thank you!!

Answer
Janet -

The trim color(s) will depend on the effect you want to achieve. Your home has what is sometimes called a "snout" garage which was automobile-centric and played a feature role on the front of homes built starting in the 1950s.

Most small ranches were two-toned ... usually a color (buff, yellow, aqua, turquoise, shell pink, gray, etc.) with white or ivory trim. Occasionally, you would see a two-color combo like gray and yellow or brown and pink.  

A vintage technique that might work well for you would be to paint the brick and the garage door a tone darker than the current white but lighter than the buff. If you have too much contrast between the buff and the trim, it's going to emphasize the brick and garage door with a look something like the roof resting on heavy pillars. (Unless that appeals to you ... in which case, go for it!)

Paint the inset with the living room window and door the same color as the brick. That will lighten it somewhat and make it appear less cave-like. (I would paint the door wall and the short wall next to it.)

Finally, paint the front door a contrasting color. You could go with burnt orange, orange red, chocolate brown or even turquoise if you are feeling adventurous. Or pick a color you love personally. The scheme is so simple and neutral, there is virtually no color you couldn't choose.

Taken together, the effect would minimize the prominence of the garage and emphasize the front entry.

Hope this helps.

Rikki Nyman
www.antiquehomestyle.com
www.midcenturyhomestyle.com
    Questioner's Rating
    Rating(1-10)Knowledgeability = 10Clarity of Response = 9Politeness = 10
    CommentThank you! I like the suggestions of paint colors for the front door and may go with something adventurous, as long as you think any color will go well with the rest of the color scheme. Thank you for your prompt response. Janet


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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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