Shutter and Siding Color Dilemma

5 years ago

I just ordered a New Pella Craftsman Entry door in Iron Ore and Storm door in Black. I want to paint around the door in white but I'm not sure what color to paint the shutters and the siding on the dormers. I was thinking of painting the shutters in the same color as the door (iron ore) and the siding in a light grey or creamy white (alabaster). Also I want to update the shutters to a board and batten style shutter and get rid of the candlesticks. I need help with all if this. I would like to eventually limewash the brick down the road.

Featured Answer

cat_ky

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

I would definitely keep the shutters, they are part of your houses character. Board and batten shutters just wouldnt look as good. I like the color iron ore, and because of your roof, I might just go a lighter creamy white on the dormers. I wouldnt replace the siding either. What you have looks very nice. Save your dollars for updating the sidewalk area, which looks a bit plain. I would also like to see a portico or some type of roof over the front door, so people coming to the house wouldnt have to stand out in rainy weather. I also think some type of roof over the front door would add a lot to your curb appeal. You have a very nice looking house. I think flowers etc planted along the sidewalk, would improve the look there considerably. I also agree, that the light fixture could be changed. I see the plaque with your house numbers. Is it original? I really like that. If you paint a piece of poster board in the iron ore and tape it on your dormers, you might find, that it will go ok with your roof, since the iron ore is a fairly dark color.

Comments (23)

Tammy Lutz
Original Author
5 years ago
The yellow door is the door I purchased but in Iron Ore. the other photos are just idea pics for shutter color, etc.
Denita
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Which house is your house? The bottom pic or the top 2 pictures?

Edit: If your house is shown in the top 2 pics then leave your shutters just the way they are now :)

I think both your current shutters and the dormer color is perfect for your style home.

What don't you like about them?
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Tammy Lutz
Original Author
5 years ago
I just don't like the color.
Denita
5 years ago
You don't like the color of the shutters or of the dormers or both?
Tammy Lutz
Original Author
5 years ago
I just want a fresh look. I bought the house this way 2 years ago and want to update it my way. I wasn't sure whether to just paint the shutters since they came with the house since 1941. Same with the light. Should I replace it or keep it since its original?
Denita
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
The shutters look terrific on your home IMO so if you are just looking for a color change, then I would paint them rather than replace them. You have a very classic home. Are you thinking of Iron Ore for the shutters too? If so, that works. Or you can go with a very, very dark green (almost black) for a classic look.

Changing out the shutters to a board and batt type like you show on the bottom pic - no. That's like going from a BMW to a Kia. Those board & batt shutters just won't fit the design of the house.

Here is a good website to help you with shutter style on your home:

http://www.oldhouseguy.com/all-about-shutters/

The light looks too small to me. There are others on this forum that are better at selecting fixtures and I'm sure they will be by to show you what size you need.
Tammy Lutz
Original Author
5 years ago
What color should I paint the siding of the dormers? If i have Iron Ore Dorr and shutters with the shingles color?
gracie01 zone5 SW of Chicago
5 years ago
It's unfortunate that the POs picked a brown roof with that brick. Dark gray or black would have been the better choice.
Denita
5 years ago
^gracie01 is right. That's why the current color of the dormers work as they coordinate with the roof color.
Tammy Lutz
Original Author
5 years ago
Yes, I agree with the shingle color selection. i would have picked differently. We are the only house in neighborhood with this color roof. We all have similar houses as well. I'm thinking a creamy white might work. I love the color Alabaster SW or Light French Grey SW. My husband wants to get rid of the siding and replace it with cedar shake siding on the dormers instead. We can paint that as well.
Tammy Lutz
Original Author
5 years ago
We plan on fixing the sidewalk, steps and porch area. I would like a small porch with a sitting area. Maybe in the Spring or Summer next year. we are getting two Natchez Crepe Myrtles planted today in front yard. We miss the old dead Willow we had to cut down over the summer. Landscapers are here now.
Denita
5 years ago
Congratulations on your two new Natchez Crepe Myrtles.
Tammy Lutz
Original Author
5 years ago
So now I'm thinking of painting the Shutters in Tricorn Black, the door is Iron Ore already, the siding in one of the colors next to the black paint card. What do you think? I ready don't like browns, taupe, beiges, and yellows which is what I'm finding on the internet for the Shakewood shingles that are on my roof.
decoenthusiaste
5 years ago
Not sure why you're trying to turn this colonial into a craftsman with the door and shutter changes you've proposed.
Tammy Lutz
Original Author
5 years ago
I love the door I picked out. My neighbor has the same craftsman door and it looks great. As far as the shutters are concerned, I asked for advice and from that advice, I'm choosing to stay with the original shutters. My question now is what color do I paint my shutters and siding. That is my dilemma. I know the shingle color limits me to certain colors. I really don't like the color scheme I have going on now. I'm just trying to give it an update that I like.
Tammy Lutz
Original Author
5 years ago
This is my current front entry door and storm door. The first two pics. I choose the iron ore colored craftsman door and with a black full view storm door with satin nickel handle. the outside of door will be painted white. The number sign is being replaced with an oval slate sign with white lettering. The light will be changed to the pic below. Either matte black or shiny black.
redsilver
5 years ago

If you wanted to add a porch roof to your home, you could use panels or porch posts on either side and than used recessed lighting in the ceiling for a porch fixture, so don't buy a fixture if you might add the porch? They are often overpriced and most interior fixtures with a lens over the bulb, work just fine in the porch roof....... I would paint your siding a pretty shade of white that is similar to your windows.., it's the best option given your dark color door and shutters and current roof... The house will look very nice and neat for as long as the current roof is there. Don't ever make your roof black. It will absorb heat and make your house very very warm.... Make it a medium to charcoal gray color(not a blackened gray either) for that color will reflect heat away from your attics and upper story.. The white of your windows & siding, and porch and shutters in the darker color will be very nice, and people will see your whole house in their vision field, not just a black roof.. If you add a porch, use 2 posts about 5 to 6 inches wide in each corner, and have them white as the color of your siding and mortar is. Let the pretty red brick and dark shutters and front door, stand as your 2nd and 3rd home colors. That's enough and will make your home have the most curb appeal likely.
decoenthusiaste
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Your current door is Victorian style, and the lights you want to add are farmhouse. I think you need to determine one style you want to go with and follow through with all the elements. The mix of styles is not doing justice to your home. Most Houzzers advise matching the storm door color to that of the entry door.
Tammy Lutz
Original Author
5 years ago
The Victorian style door came with the house when we bought it 3 years ago. I've always hated that door. That's why I'm so excited to finally get the front entry door and storm door replaced. Our contractor is going to install them at end of month when they get delivered. That is why I want to update the other colors of house to flow with our new doors. I agree with not buying the farmhouse light. I'm going to hold off buying a new light above door since I might get a portico built in the near future. I do want to change out the light & post out front. I've been told that it looks too small. Eventually I want my house painted with limewash paint like pic below. I love the look of painted or whitewashed brick.
redsilver
5 years ago
I thought the home was more Colonial/Cape Cod in style. Victorian is much heavier decorated... ?? Whatever, it is a very nice home.
emmarene9
5 years ago
It is Cape Cod. that is why the current door does not work.
Tammy Lutz
Original Author
5 years ago
I want to change out the light post out front as well. I've been told it's too small. Here are two lights I'm considering for the post. I really like the first light the best.