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Question
House Front View
House Front View
Hi. Our house is located in the Fraser Valley--about 50 miles east of Vancouver, BC. The house is in need of a total repaint, so we're considering a change of colour. We like the white, but we wouldn't mind something less "formal" looking and we think the white makes the house look a bit "big" for the neighbourhood. The surrounding homes are mostly clapboard with pale yellow, white, taupe, and blue-grey colours. We do like the idea of a lighter sage green for the body, but are open to ideas (a shade of blue?). We'd like to stick with white for the trim and columns, but would like to accent the front door and have an appropriate colour for the shutters. We would be most appreciative of any feedback! Thanks.

Answer
Hi Brent,

Take a look at this house on our website. The photos only show part of the house, but the rest of it is similar in style to your home. Four photos in shows a 'before' photo. Like your house, it was all white.
http://www.motion-space.com/projects/kent-outdoor-kitchen.html

In the outdoor kitchen we added, we also repainted the entire home. We chose to get rid of the white entirely. That establishes a different tone to the house, and I think it became more sophisticated and also helps blend the house with the landscape better. Inside this structure we added an accent color (the red). For your house this accent color might be your shutters and front door. That could be really any dark color although I wouldn't go too primary in your color choice. Stick to muddier colors with more brown or gray in them.

Nazim Nice
Principal / Architect
http://www.motion-space.com
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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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