You are here:

Architecture/How to determine the latest trend

Advertisement

Expert: - 1/21/2004


Question
Richard - I have a 33 yr old rambler in the Seattle area that I am remodeling for sale. I am wondering where the best place to look to find what colors are in and what colors sell....that sort of thing.

Any suggestion would be appreciated.

Thanks,
--Tom

Answer
Tom:

Thanks for your question!

That's always a "local" question - the very best source for good colors is the other houses in the area!  OK, I'm exhausted from thinking that one through!

Seriously, the same house may be done completely differently in other parts of the state, the city, the neighborhood, or even on the same block.

What's important in ANY house sale isn't that your house is the best one on the block, it that it's the CLEANEST.  If you take care of repairs on the outside (gutters, trim, etc.), clean up the landscaping (trim bushes, fresh mulch, etc.), and give it a new, fairly neutral coat of paint, you'll be in the best position you can be.  Dont' get crazy with the paint scheme - keep the colors muted.  Don't paint it to your tastes, paint it to the neighborhood's tastes.  You want it to stand out as the cleanest and sharpest, not the one that attracts the most attention.  Buyers are looking for a clean house and can spot them in a minute!

"Trendy" colors won't help - it might even hurt your chances.  Neat and clean and neutral is the key!

Hope this helps!

Richard Taylor, AIA
Richard Taylor Architects, LLC
www.rtaylorarchitects.com

Architecture

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Richard Taylor, AIA

Expertise

Ask me about all aspects of house, remodeling. , and room addition design and construction. Ask me about historic homes, renovation, and restoration. Ask me about materials and techniques, and about how you can get the best value for your design and construction dollar. Ask me how you can make your home a very special place. I can't, however, answer specific structural engineering questions in this forum - that's something you'll need on-site observation for.

Experience

I own a full-service residential architectural firm, and have been designing custom homes, remodelings, and room additions across the country since 1983. Check us out at Richard Taylor Architects and RTA Plans. I have written and been published extensively on the subject of residential architecture.

Organizations
American Institute of Architects, City of Dublin Architectural Review Board, Vice Chair of City of Dublin Planning and Zoning Commission, American Planning Association, Board Member Historic Dublin Business Association, Past Editor of SPLASH (a software forum), Past Editor of Open Directory Project, Assistant Scoutmaster, Boy Scouts of America

Publications
Business First of Columbus, Suburban New Publications, About.com, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Columbus Dispatch Residential Architect Custom Home Architect Remodeling Architect

Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Environmental Design (Architecture) Miami University 1983
For more about home design, check out my blog at Sense Of Place and join the conversation on our Facebook Page.

Awards and Honors
2010 Dublin Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.