It's a little hard for me to see the architecture, is this a 1950s era sort of MCM type cottage? With redwood I would do a warm white/light cream trim, slate or black roof and olive/khaki/sage accents (e.g. door). My grandfather's MCM house had redwood color opaque stain and aqua accents - do not recommend.

This is a similar color scheme to my grandfather's house - but picture violent aqua front door.

More like this

You need a larger photo, maddielee. It's impossible to tell much from that tiny one.

Thank you writersblock, I think I placed a bigger picture in the post, maybe.

robo...there is basically zero influence from an architect. Basic cottage built out of plywood and T 1-11 in 1965. Thanks for the photos.

Can you take out some trees? The house will never stay level with those trees and their root systems right next to the house.

What about a navy blue with cream/ivory trim? Landscaping would help tremendously!

I think a redwood or gray would work, or any neutral color that would allow it to blend into the landscape. For such a simple structure that doesn't appear to have window trim, it might look better to paint it all one color. The porch and front door might look nice in a lighter color to draw your eye to the entryway, but you don't necessarily need to draw attention to the vertical and horizontal trim boards by painting them to contrast with the body color.

Yes, that's much better. Where is this, maddielee? Florida?

maddielee, sure! I was just making sure I had a handle on era. Looks like a cute place!

Writersblock, yes in the Odessa area. Just north of Tampa.

here's a view of the front, everything needs work! I love the big screened porch.

What a great location, maddielee! I wouldn't go too dark, unless you plan never to be there in the summer. I like the Shoji White suggestion.

I don't understand your comment about landscaping - you said it has been cut way back. Does the first photo depict the property BEFORE or AFTER the landscaping has been cut back? If BEFORE, good. If AFTER, you stopped too soon.

I definitely agree that you will continue to have leveling issues if those trees pictured right next to the house are allowed to remain.

It's a cute place with lots of potential. I'd definitely paint it a COLOR - like yellow, blue, green, or a deep gray. Not white or a variation thereof.

Littlebug, you could not see the house before the guys cut back the philodendrons....the leveling crew was involved, what was necessary to remove has been removed. New landscaping will go in after the plumbing/leveling/painting is done.

The Cypress trees are staying, we understand the risk of dealing with cypress knees and roots. Old cypress trees win.

Example of what the house looked like before (not an actual pic of this cottage).

That's a cute little house and it really has "vacation" written all over it (to my landlocked eyes, anyway). I might tend to do a slightly toned-down version of a fun color like a turquoise or a pale jade green with coral trim. Something that says "don't take me too seriously!" but looks crisp and fresh.

What a gem Maddielee, I know that area and the lake. My first thought was to paint it brown as a nod to its MCM style, but on second thought you could go light, in keeping with the FL vibe. Either way, I wish you the best!

I third the motion for a color! It doesn't have to be bright, but I think that little house is just begging to be a color - imagine how those windows in the back would pop against a color?? I like the idea of a muted jewel tone, green or blue, but that's my preference talking. If you like red, maybe consider a slightly lighter, brighter red instead of a dark red? I'm going to look for a picture, because lighter red sounds pink and brighter red sounds . . . Well, bright red.

Ahh, my phone's driving me crazy, I can post a picture right now, but I hopefully you'll know what I mean. Don't do grey anyway, though - with that house it's feels too much like it would be trying to force it to be like a Nantucket cape cod style. If you want to go muted, I would definitely think about going natural with stained wood if you can. What are the chances the existing siding is wood?

I think it should feel like a vacation house, white or grey would be too serious. I would go with a sunny, but not neon yellow with crisp white trim. I think a turquoise door would be fun and lighthearted.

I agree with aimeekm, I was thinking a soft yellow too or a fun lighter green with white trim. Something that makes you happy when you see it.

Even a blue would be fun

I would so love a darling little place like that. I would go with a fun Florida color. Something to make you smile every time you approach. Especially being on a lake.

Great examples lukkiirish posted. For your location I'd go with a soft green or soft turquoise with white trim on either. I love the last two photos posted.

Speaking of trees to be cut, there is one that looks as if it is touching the house. I'd really look at taking 1-2 like that out while you can.

Congratulations on finding such a charming place!

What a cute, charming place.

Thank you all for the comments and ideas. After seeing the pics that lukkirish posted, my idea of going redwood-ish is disappearing. I really like that green (3rd pic) with the white trim. Or the yellow. What to do???

Bonnie_ann are you near here? When I was a teen my parents had a cottage in the same community. Driving 'to the lake' was like leaving the state, it seemed sooo far. There was nothing out that way for miles. (The trip now takes us 45 minutes, going the long way.)

At that time all the houses were strickly weekend cabins, now most are permanent residents.

We are having an arborist out to check on the trees and educate us on the pros and cons of their location. People in this region of Florida are protective of their cypress trees.

I am looking forward to napping on the screened porch while listening to the breeze through the cypress, a sound that really is different then most trees. (Sappy but true.)

Thank you again, keep the suggestions coming. We have a few weeks before having to decide.

I also love the green one, 3rd down lukkiirish posted. It is pretty and unexpected. It's bold but not gaudy at all .... makes me want a vacation home to paint a fun color.

You could introduce some wood through hardscaping.

Some great ideas on Pinterest.

Thank you for the pictures nosoccermom and Annette.

aimeekn I agree about that green one, anyone know what color green the house in Luk's 3 rd pic is? Would you call it a bright sage? Here it is so you don't have to scroll back up. Again, thank you for taking the time to respond to this post.

Hmm ... I would describe it as either a bright olive or a muted lime. I wish my home could handle such a fun color.