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Paint Design Dilemma Exterior

Exterior paint ideas 70s modern house

Ms. Understanding

2 years ago

Starting to gather ideas as we wiil need to paint exterior in next few years. current color is more pink brown than it looks on screen. we want to emphasize the modern lines and downplay the 70s part. considered painting the brrown charcoal or white with charcoal trim or a smoky navy (and keep the brick as is?).

also the trim is currently the same color but i feel you lose the interesting lines this way.….would like to stay true to archicture however. may originalky have been dark brown, we are not sure.

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Comments (12)

littlebug zone 5 Missouri
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Green. Maybe off-white for trim.
Ms. Understanding thanked littlebug zone 5 Missouri
Polly Stone
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
I wouldn't recommend painting the trim a different color. In keeping with the architecture, I would keep the paint color uniform to allow the interplay of forms be the focus. Here are a few (quickly made) color options.
Ms. Understanding thanked Polly Stone
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Unless a person knows they will be in a house for a short time, I think it's better to plan for the long term, knowing that there may be a period of awkwardness until the final concept rings through loud and clear. In this case (if you're going to be in the house for a while) I would not let the stone and roof colors limit where I go with future house colors. Personally, I don't find the stone attractive enough to call it a "keeper." If budget allows, I'd consider replacing it. If budget doesn't allow, I'd paint it and that will be an improvement and open up color choices for other things. Roofs eventually wear out an need replacement. At that time, you could select a better roof color that goes with your improved house color. Eventually, you could transition to a whole new, improved color scheme. The new pictures help. To be perfectly frank, I don't think the stone columns and fencing help in the least to make the entrance more inviting and appealing. If a courtyard effect was still desired, I think it would be done completely differently than what is there now. So getting rid of those things would be an immediate improvement. The walk needs help, too. Ideally, it would be redone. But if that is not in the budget, then strategically adding to it would be a big help. It especially needs an area of expanded paving near the entrance door. The small "trees" inside and outside of the courtyard are not the right plants for those spots. Is the budget or DIY interest level sufficient to make some sizable changes to the entrance area?
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Everybody has an opinion, which you asked for, but you have to do what is best for you in your neighborhood. If you are replacing the siding and thinking about doing all the work of painting brick, maybe you should just remove some of that brick altogether. If you leave some of it, have it be lower and even across...maybe 1/3 of the height of the walls instead of half. Keep the excess brick for edging or patio like someone else suggested. I liked the trim-work you added. Definitely do not paint the garage door the same as the front. Keep it in the lighter tone of your siding color choice. This way the front door is a focal point. Do not replace the garage door if it is not needed. There's no reason to add the expense ($1700 or more). I would use the existing shrubs as background to a much larger planted area. Allow budget for mulching that planting bed and, for what it's worth, consider using rubber bark mulch. It definitely is more expensive, but it is worth it in the long run if you're planning on living there. Rubber bark does not attract termites or roaches, it doesn't fade, it doesn't disintegrate, and it doesn't blow away so it doesn't need to be replaced every 2 years like bark mulch. It keeps tires out of the landfill! Anyway, updating is a great idea, but keep in mind why you are choosing to do so. If you are going to live there, spend what you want. If you are updating to sell, keep your budget as low as possible because you won't recoup much of it and expenses can only be subtracted from profits on the house. If you're losing money on the house then not even the realtor fees are deductible. Best of luck with your project!
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If you don't want windows on the right side of the house, you can just plant taller shrubs in that space. I don't like the two different shaped windows on the left side of the house in your rendering. If you're adding those horizontal rectangular windows in the bump out, then use the same shaped windows below on the garage. You can place them higher on the wall so people can't look into the garage to see if you're home.
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Polly Stone
2 years ago
Ms. Understanding thanked Polly Stone
Polly Stone
2 years ago
Ms. Understanding thanked Polly Stone
Jilly
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
I really like the color it is, but understand not wanting the pink tones. I’d stay in the brown family, and keep the brick as is. It’s organic and in keeping with the surroundings, which is important with this style architecture.

If you haven’t already, do some research on this wonderful style of house … embrace it’s heritage. It’s a really nice one. :) Unfortunately, too many across the country are disappearing under heavy ”updates”.

(I don’t mean you’re doing that, just the current trend of trying to remove the ’70’s charm and history of these homes.)
kandrewspa
2 years ago
You're fortunate you appear to have a good neutral roof color - at least that's how it looks in the photos. When choosing the paint color keep in mind the brick color and roof color. I like these two colors:

When you have a couple colors you think you might like, start sampling.
Ms. Understanding thanked kandrewspa
Ms. Understanding
Original Author
2 years ago
Thank you all! esp Polly for visualizing! i think based on sll the imput im leaning toward a darker mux of charvoal brown greenish , keeping it within a natural hue, like pollys third suggestion. whicj is also like the urbane bronze too. and keeping it monochrome.
houssaon
2 years ago
This look like a Tech Built house. Do you know?

I would stay with the earth browns, greens and charcoals that you are considering. I also agree that the time should be the same color. Keep the brick natural.

Here are some Benjamin Moore colors I think would look good.
Sigrid
2 years ago
Those houses were supposed to fit into the landscape --- so were painted browns and greens. I'd probably go with a spruce green, but there's nothing wrong with navy.
cat_ky
2 years ago
I think it would look fantastic in the Dragons Breath, posted just above. I also like the color that it is. I dont see pink on my monitor, but, if you do, I can understand why you want to change it. The dark brown of Dragons Breath would be gorgeous.
decoenthusiaste
2 years ago
I would paint in a color very similar to the tree trunks surrounding the home.
raee_gw zone 5b-6a Ohio
2 years ago
Dragon's Breath looks like it could go a little purplish - you would have to test it for sure (of course you need to for any candidate color.)

I was struck by the idea of a smoky blue - more smoky than blue, not as dark blue as navy. I'd like to see someone do a mockup of that...a bit more gray than this: SW Smoky Blue

Otherwise I agree with the brownish gray, or grayish brown, or grayish green (your roof calls for some gray in the tone). All true to the design era, and will work with the brick.

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