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Paint Design Dilemma Exterior

Roof is lighter than expected - maybe change the trim? Something else?

last month

We went with Owens Corning Estate Gray, but months later I am still wishing we had picked Onyx black. I liked Onyx black a lot, but was afraid it'd be too stark. But as I learned the hard way, roofs seem to appear much lighter on large scales than they do in samples.

In addition to the roof being lighter than I anticipated, there's just not enough contrast between it and the house. I know that it is far from awful. It could be a lot worse. But there's just something off about it. I've tried to live with it, but it still nags away at me.

The house was painted Behr blueprint a couple of years ago (it reads more blue in person on a sunny day, rather than blue-gray).

But maybe changing the trim could help? Or changing the third color from beige to something else? I just don't know where to begin... black? Burgundy? Or bite the bullet and repaint the whole house ... or the roof? (I guess there is such a thing as shingle paint...)

What would you do? Any advice or ideas would be appreciated.

[As a side note, for context, we ended up replacing the roof at a not-so-ideal time. We bought a fixer-upper and have spent a lot of time, sweat, and money on fixing-'er-up. Our flashing failed and I discovered a leak, in the middle of a million other projects. I didn't scrutinize the roof color as much as I should have -- now things have settled down and I have a roof color hangover I guess.]

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Comments (13)

kempek01
last month
The roof looks fine to me.

The only thing that seems out of place is the yellow inside the white trim on the windows.
Elaine Doremus Resumes Written
last month
I think it looks great, but you have to be happy with it. If you live in a warm climate, stick with this. If you live in a cold climate, the dark roof may work better. My concern with a black roof is it may look a little stark. When you are ready to paint your home again, you may want to go with white. I like the contrast that it is now, but again, you have to be happy with it.
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And I think not readily agreeing to everything recommended is a good thing too. However, a critical element missing here that's there in the real world is trust. Most questions, be it about a window trim color or a design for a $600k build, are just thrown out there with really no leap of faith required by the poster as to reevaluating their thinking in the context of alternate advice received. In the real world, when one comes to another for advice, there's usually some sort of compensation involved. Now please don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that should happen here and I can say for myself and probably for many of the other architects here I don't make recommendations here for glory, sometimes I've even put pen to paper! But in the real world that compensation represents far more than just an owner paying my bills. It represents the critical element of trust. An owner has put something on the table to hear or see yet unspoken or see undrawn advice. And that's a leap of faith. The element of trust is inherent in the relationship. A key ingredient, perhaps THE key ingredient to a successful project, is owner trust. During my initial meeting with an owner they will often reveal their ability or inability to trust others. More so, whatever is on the table also serves as a strong indicator that the owner recognizes a skill set that they are deficient in. In design forum like this one the potential to incorporate that critical element of trust is very small. Sure, there have been ample success stories here so don't misunderstand me in thinking I'm detracting from those. After all, there's a reason I actually provide a drawn solution on this forum from time to time!! But for each success story here the numbers are legion where it's "Trainwreck in.....trainwreck out" because there's been no leap of faith required as to the value of alternate advice. The project is just thrown out there with it being very easy to discount advise with just a simple "Nope". Sometimes there's sixty "Nopes" by the OP to sixty different suggestions!!! And all the above is ok. I don't fall on my sword here like I would in the real world where I'm passionate about best spending an owners six figure sum the best way possible. Here, I just move on. I'm just sayin', for better or worse, the internet environment is different than the real world environment and it is what it is. Oops!! Suns up!! Time to head out for a run!!
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Mrs. S
last month
Love the roof. I think it looks great.
PRO
Flo Mangan
last month
I would add sone cedar wood elements and leave everything else as is. Perhaps stain the inside of wood fence the cedar tones. I added a cedar arbor over front porch and a cedar window box. This house might give you inspiration.
njmomma
last month
The roof looks fine. I agree with above Poster, the yellow trim does not work.
njmomma
last month
Maybe match the trim to the roof color or a shade of the roof color.
PRO
Norwood Architects
last month
Personally, am not a fan of this color blue for houses. Might suggest a light color gray paint for your walls. This "should" make your roof appear darker in comparison.
nickel_kg
last month
last modified: last month
I like your roof and your siding. It's the windows that are odd, to me too. First I'd change everything yellow, to white. How does it look now? If still not enough contrast, then consider changing what was yellow, to gray (but post another picture first!)

(what we are calling yellow, is that beige in real life? either way, white would be better)
Megan S
Original Author
last month
It's "ceramic beige" from Behr, but yes it does look pretty yellow against the blue, even in person. I like the idea of a third color - something not yellow - but sometimes simple is better
cat_ky
last month
Like the others, I think the roof looks very nice. It is the color on the windows that is off. I would go with a darker gray on the trim. (similar to your roof color). I do like the blue of the house. Seems these days, so many houses are painted either gray or white, and it gets a bit boring when they are all in the same area. I have nothing against either a gray or white house, its just that when the whole neighborhood has painted their houses the same, that it becomes boring.
Snaggy
last month
I like it
Maureen
last month
last modified: last month
Roof is fine and I just think the house needs to feel crisper. First step would be to paint trim and eves a stark white.

I’d also add taller/more abundant plantings, to hide the dull stone and importantly, also create nicer curb appeal.

Regarding your entrance, you could cut back the branch that is blocking the view to front door, creating a more welcoming entrance. At some point, consider freshening up front steps using the appropriate product and also even stencilling. With your house so close to the street, these changes will help with curb appeal.
kandrewspa
last month
Not just the yellow looks wrong, but also the window trim looks too creamy against the blue and would look better white. It looks like your roofer did a great job with the challenging roof angles.

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