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The Kitchen Table

Need help with paint colors on old house! (many pics)

16 years ago

Man oh man, have I been spending too much time thinking about this. I want to paint this old house sometime soon but it has to be the PERFECT colors. It's a Colonial Revival, built in 1924 and it's in an older neighborhood.

The house has a Buckingham Slate Roof, which is a big feature and it's a mid-to-dark gray roof. I'd like to have a paint color that complements that slate roof.

Also, the front doors (storm and primary) are natural wood and I don't intend to paint them. And I'd like a house color that makes the house "pop" and really sparkle. It's a beautiful house but the current colors are drab and monotonous. I want something that makes this house wave its little hands in the air and say, "I'm a beauty!"

Now - those are the parameters. What colors do you think would look best???

(storm door closeup)

Interior shot:

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Comments (12)

bearcat_va
16 years ago
How about a slate blue/gray? A friend of mine has a 110 year old home that was bright yellow that she painted a slate blue. It's lovely and fits, although with a colonial, I'm not sure that color will fit the era?
Pieonear
16 years ago
Hi Rosemary,

First of all I love your home. So cozy looking!

Why don't you post your questions and pics over at the decorating forum? There's a wealth of info there and some very talented folks too. Some will even photoshop your pics to give you an idea as to how different colors will look.

Good luck!
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Happy_Go_Lucky_Gayle
16 years ago
There is a home in a town near me similar to that. It is a Seafoam/Grayish color with Darker Gray Trim and Coral Shutters and it really pops.

I think 3 colors on older houses is super looking.
tannatonk23_fl_z9a
16 years ago
Beautiful home Rose! The first color that came to my mind is a blue gray color - like a federal blue. That would be gorgeous with some black trim - maybe in the way of shutters.

Do you know anyone that can photoshop some colors for you? Over on the Home Decorating side they are really good at that. Let us know what you come up with. i would love to see some photoshopped colors.

An olive green with cream trim would also look nice I think. Especially since you are not going to paint the front door.

~Betsy
grammahony
16 years ago
Neat idea about the decorating forum to photoshop your pictures. That would give you an idea of what the change of color would do. Be sure and show us if you get some answers/photos, please.
Leslie
kim_okla
16 years ago
I pass an old two story house every day. Every day I think I would never have picked those colors and marvel at how striking it looks. It's used as a law firm close to downtown.

It's a pale yellow with black trim. Like I said, nothing I would have considered.
donna_oh
16 years ago
Your beautiful home is almost identical to the hse across the street from me! They re-did their outside last yr! Its slate-blue-gray with darker blue shudders & a barn red door- When she told us what they were going to do we all kind of thought--ewwww-- Believe me, its beautifu!

Donna (^_^)
lydia1959
16 years ago
I like the combination of seafoam green and burgundy which would go well with your brick (see link for that and other combinations).

Here is a link that might be useful: House colors
dibby
16 years ago
Your house is gorgeous, Rosemary. There is a house near me of similar style and it's painted a light/medium grey with burgundy trim. Very attractive, I think. I can't wait to hear what you decide and to see the "after" pictures.
patti43
16 years ago
Wow--so beautiful. I like it just the way it is!
lilliepad
16 years ago
Pale yellow with white trim.And add a white picket fence while you're at it!LOL My aunt has an older home,not 2 story,painted a pale creamy yellow with white trim and it is gorgeous.It also has black shutters.She also added a white railing around her porch,which is the full width of the front of the house,and the white picket fence a couple of years ago and when you drive by you always want to look back and say,"That house is so cute!"
Marcia Thornley
16 years ago
Post a link to this thread over in the Home Decorating Forum and ask if someone will Photoshop a few colours for you. You would be amazed at what the girls over there can do! It really helps you visulize what works and what doesn't.

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