You'll find colour experts/fanatics on the Home Dec forum who might be able to help, especially if you post a picture of the house. I know just enough to know that some very subtle differences could make a real difference to the outcome. For example, there are whites, and whites, and then still other whites. If it's a cool white with blue tones vs a warmer white with yellow or pink tones, your choices may look different. Of course, it may just be a white white - ours was too, by the way, when we bought it; white all over, inside and out. I came to appreciate that as I started stripping paint and realized that at some point the house was likely sort of an acid jade green on all surfaces inside and out, as were most of the houses in this neighbourhood. We did paint the house, and I'm happy we did - not an original colour though. I'm not a huge stickler for maintaining original colours for the sake of authenticity. You obviously do feel that way, and I respect that, but I would question your belief that changing the whole house colour would be more work than merely painting the trim. You might like to visualize whether you'd be happy with white trim if you changed the house colour. This is because painting trim is more work than you might think, especially if you have three porches. Having said all that, with a base scheme of black and white, your range of colour choices is enormous, and personal taste is going to play a huge role, as will the kind of presence you want the house to exude. Obviously earth tones won't go (rusts, olives) as they go with beige, not white; nor beiges or navies, being too close to your two base colours. I tend to think soft pastels might be your best family to look at, and you could go either two-tone (light green and darker green) or two contrasting colours: blue and yellow, blue and pink, etc. Those would be a bit country, I suppose, or maybe a little feminine. If you prefer a really dressy look, grey might be your best option, perhaps with some black highlights to connect to the roof. Taupe and black might also work for that look. You might consider photoshopping a few ideas, or if you prefer the non-tech route, taking a few photos, printing them out, and colouring on them. I'm linking below to a blog entry by Maria Killam on choosing exterior trim colours in which she also talks about different whites. The rest of her blog may also be of interest to you. KarinL Here is a link that might be useful: Colour me happy blog

Take into consideration how much and what kind of light you receive in that area. Check out Benjamin Moore's line of paint by visiting their stores. They usually provide lots of visual materials to see their colors. Look in magazines and pick out your dream scheme. That's really the only way to do it. I have an open downstairs and have chosen a BM color called Richmond Gold. Everyone who comes in admires the color and says that they never would have thought to use that color. I found it in Traditional Home Magazine. I dare to use color and I dare you to use it too.

Henrik--I'm envious of your Broceliande. The colors on yours are what I was hoping my Broceliande would show, but no luck, alas. I'm beginning to wonder if what passes for Broceliande in America is different that what at least the Swedish are growing. Mine is a quite lovely mad hatter pink and white--but that isn't what I was looking for. And you have so many other petal-packed fat and beautiful blooms on your other roses also, Henrik. Wish I could tour your garden. Kentucky--love your Rainbow Niagra and Joy! Lisa--Princess de Monaco is gorgeous! Doesn't anybody have a bunch of those "sunrise/sunset" type roses--like Tahitian Sunrise (or was it Tahitian Sunset)? At one point, nurseries seemed to be offering lots and lots of those. I found them very attractive. Kate

Christine. She is on HMF. But there have been some recent post about her I'll see if I can find them. She is on my list from Burling when I get my other two roses. She bred her but I think Angel Gardens may carry her also.