Expert: Mollie Ackner, AIA - 10/7/2011

Question
Well, we have already redone the siding but I wanted to know if this matters. We have a 1923 craftsman home and I picked deep moss for the body of the home and antique wicker for all of the shake, linen for the trim. The shake is all around the top of the house and far lighter than the body, should we have picked a similar or darker color for the shake? I have not seen any other home in our area that has a lighter topped craftsman. Hindsight I know...

Answer
Hi Rachel,
Well, it's hard for me to say without seeing the colors.  One thing I encourage my clients to do when considering new house colors, is to drive around and look at other houses.  When you see one that appeals to you, stop and take a good look at the colors -- what is darker, what is lighter, are the siding and trim contrasting or complimenting?  In the case of a craftsman, is the house 2 colors, 3, or even four with the trimwork?  Another thing you can do is go to Google, enter "craftsman house" or "bungalow" or "cottage", click on "images", and browse away.  When you see something you like, print it out and take it to the paint store!
Good luck -
Mollie