Well, I was going to say green, because I lived next door to a couple who had this (almost identical) house and it was beige. I suggested they paint it green from a color chip I found. They did, and it looked beautiful. Now that I know green is out, I am lost, and will have to revamp my thinking. :)

IMHO stucco exteriors really need to be painted in an earthy warm color or they just look "false". So, I'd stay totally away from greys, blues, or other "cool" shade. In some parts of the country you see pinkish stuccos but I'm not a big fan of those either.

I was going to suggest an olive or khaki color but since your neighbor's house is green, how about going to a deep mustardy gold-brown for the main color instead? I don't know how to do the photoshop thing but Sherwin Williams' color visualizer has a "French Country" exterior that is somewhat reminiscent of your home. I painted it with the following colors and thought it looked pretty terrific - at least on my monitor:

Walls - sconce gold (shows up on my monitor as a deep honey-mustard color; i.e., gold-brown with just the slightest hint of a greenish feel to it.)

Trim and garage doors - pearly white (on my monitor, this is almost a pure white but is very slightly yellowish.)

Door - fireweed red (on my monitor, this a deep warm dark brownish red)

Take a look and see what you think. Maybe someone with photoshop will paint your picture for you.

Wow Bevangel That looked great on my monitor as well. Can someone out there photoshop it for me???

I agree with Bevangel about the natural color scheme, but I am a little worried about the very gold color. Because you have no shade anywhere on the house, I am concerned that the Sconce Gold is going to look much brighter and yellower in the full sun. The very white trim will only make it look even yellower.

I would think about SW Baguette for the walls and the garage doors. The garage doors make up at least half of the front view of the house. Painting them the wall color will help them recede and feel more like wall than door. It will then allow your entry to become the more important space.

I would try Chamomille for all the trim.

Love red doors, so Fired Brick for the door. If the door weren't in such shadow, I could also see a rich navy blue for the door, but I think it will end up reading black.

Another thing you might consider is painting the walls right in the entry area in the trim color, rather than the wall color. Or go a couple of shades lighter than the wall color for that area. It will make that area naturally lighter. Be sure you have good lighting in there, too. Can't tell what you have now. I would do the front columns in the trim color rather than the wall color.

Finally, I understand about finances and resources, but I would spend the time to cut down that huge bush in front of the right side window. Down the road, faux stone planters by the garage would be nice with some plantings in them for some color and softness, as would adding a grassy plant such as the one on the far right of the house, over on the far left side of the garage area. A large boulder in the front bed would give some height and balance there.

Lovely house. Can't wait to see it all done, whatever colors you choose.

Thanks Les. I think I am going to repost with a request for photoshop help in the title because I really need to see it to get it!! I went on the SW site and loved the colors you suggested.

cao100, I was trying to "paint" your house yesterday but got frustrated with the Ben Moore program that I have. It wouldn't let me get the house very dark. Even the darkest shade I picked ended up light. I can show you a few of those but I don't think it would be helpful. I didn't post above in hopes that it stays near the top and one of the other PS'ers with better paint can help.

I wish SW would come up with a paint your own picture program. I'd love to see some of those other colors too.

I was trying more in the dark terra cotta or brown family and it looked nice. I also wasn't sure about your trim since you have two colors of trim. A darker band and lighter ones around windows and gutters. Maybe I'll try again later if no one responds above!

Good Luck
Lindy

Thanks Lindy I appreciate the effort. I posted a separate photoshop plea so maybe I can get nmore action there!

Chris

Chris

Just scooting out the door but wanted to post the ones I tried yesterday. Sorry for the sloppy lines. I was having a heck of a time with this one. Here's a goldish one and then more of a brown with painted garage. Do you like your trim to contrast or be a little closer in shade?? You have wide trim so it definitely makes a different look if it's contrasting.

{{!gwi}}

Browner with same color trim
{{!gwi}}

Browner with contrasting trim
{{!gwi}}

Wow Lindy. Thanks, it really helps to actually see it! I like the last two the best. I would probably not have the trim contrast quite so much as in the last one but definitley more than the second one. You are putting me on the right track!

Chris

Here's the brown one with a trim that isn't quite so contrasting.

{{!gwi}}

And here's one that is more of a green tint. I liked it when I did it but now that it's posted, it may be too close to baby poo. ROFL

{{!gwi}}

Thanks, this is really helpful! I like the first one better. It seems really warm and inviting which is what we are wanting. I liked the second one too! But, since, it has only been fairly recently that my DS has been potty trained I have seen enough baby poo to last me a good long while!! I think I will pass on that one! LMAO!

Chris

Thanks, this is really helpful! I like the first one better. It seems really warm and inviting which is what we are wanting. I liked the second one too! But, since, it has only been fairly recently that my DS has been potty trained I have seen enough baby poo to last me a good long while!! I think I will pass on that one! LMAO!

Chris

One more that I thought I had posted already. It's a goldish tan with light trim.

{{!gwi}}

Have you seen Pauly's post? I'm thinking some of the colors that look good on hers, would look good on yours also.

Laurie

Here is a link that might be useful: Pauly's post