What paint color/trim to paint my exterior? Should I add shudders?!

2 years ago

So I'm a local realtor and my client wants my advice as to paint colors for her house. Her house is the first 2 photos. I haven't seen the house in person yet but I'd like to have a plan for when I meet her this week. The top pic is the front of the house from an old listing and the second pic is more recent of the back of the house. She describes the color as a beige camel color probably more true to the top pic.

So I scoured the inter webs as I googled "dormer farm house" and I came up with a white paint/trim and adding dark shudders. Would that be weird since the roof is in he brown family? What about dark paint light shudders/trim? See my reference pics below

I am no expert so please tell me what you think. If I do a white then should it be more off white? And should the trim be the same white? We live in the PNW so it rains a lot. Not sure if that info is handy.

And what do you think of shudders on the front windows (minus the dormers)?

Featured Answer

millworkman

2 years ago

Shudders at the thought........................

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Comments (14)

PRO
S Reed design
2 years ago
White body and trim in a true white (sorry my color deck is at my office) no creamy value to it. Black shutters on everything except dormers. Change out light fixtures to a larger scale iron in a contemporary feel if possible. No the roof won’t look bad but a black roof looks better. I’ve heard of companies that can paint the roof but haven’t had any experience so I’d be reluctant. The black and white is VERY on trend presently.
decoenthusiaste
2 years ago
Unless the paint is looking shabby, I'd focus efforts on the landscaping. Changing color of the house may not be necessary. Shutters are not necessary with all the nice wide window trim.
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The house could benefit from crisp white trim (see below) & contrasting shutters on the first floor
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CLC
2 years ago
I agree with focusing on the landscaping. No shutters either way. With the brown roof and orange porch, I would not do white siding. The white/black farmhouse look is very trendy and popular at the moment, but I would only do white siding with a black or (preferably) charcoal roof.
Angela E
Original Author
2 years ago
We would of course redo the orange porch if the colors were determined to need changing
PRO
Creative Visual Concepts, Kevin Strader
2 years ago
White would probably be too stark. An off white putty color would work with the roof and the trim. If your client would like to see some virtual makeovers of the house check out my web site, Creative Visual Concepts.
PRO
Lisa Caudill Designs
2 years ago
Try some things out here https://www.visualizecolor.com/glidden#/
Susie .
2 years ago
Agree that a true white would not look great with a brown roof. Neither would black shutters. Possibly a cream with tone on tone shutters (Greek Villa, Creamy or Dover White). But I also agree painting and adding shutters is a lot of money to add curb appeal. As a realtor, do you think that the money spent on painting will be returned with a higher offer price?
PRO
HALLETT & Co.
2 years ago
Too many windows on this house that cannot accept shutters therefore I would skip them altogether. Additionally the windows are all very modern, even though the shape of the home is traditional.

The orange porch floor IS jarring, I would paint it a neutral grey more like the back deck.

Finally, as others allude it is shutters, IE things that shut over windows.
kmg11
2 years ago
If your client is selling, I would hold off on the painting except maybe a nice front door color. It's a neutral and looks good from the photos. Agree on no shutters. Sprucing up landscape is always a good idea. The only thing that throws me off is the porch color and the orange mulch from the first pic, but easy enough to fix.
cat_ky
2 years ago
I wouldnt paint it white. The color it is, is very nice. IF it needs repainting, just a coat of the same color. What it does need badly is landscaping and curb appeal and a brighter colored front door.
Angela E
Original Author
2 years ago
I have advised my seller against painting because it is against my better judgement but she insists. If I were to convince her to leave the color as-is, what color front door would you suggest painting?
kmg11
2 years ago
Well, not painting would definitely be cheaper, especially if the new owners want something different. As far as the door, I think I would do a red or even a navy blue. Paint both front and back door the same. Make sure the bottom of the posts in the back are painted the trim color as well. Don't forget to cover the orange porch-:)

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morz8
2 years ago
I would try to convince her to 'uninsist'. That seems to blend into its site in its earthy color. A plus to my eye - And I am also in the PNW. She needs landscaping. My own ground here on the coast is too wet for spading and preparing new beds in January.

And please note that the house behind and to the left are white. This house also white would be redundant.