skip to main content

Paint Home Decorating The Old House

Painters here / desperate for help w ext for 1902 Italianate! (PICS!)

last year

Inspiration pics are #1, #2 , and #3 (below)

Our house (below)

I have probably put 15 different green samples (BM) on my house at this point, and I'm still unsure! We do like Mannequin Cream (BM) for trim. Debating whether to do black shutters or very deep green. TIA for ANY help in making a selection for body color!

Featured Answer

Alyssa Fernandez

last year

Elcieg, yes, Elsie’s was still there. If memory serves me, they were the go-to spot for frappes.

18florence, here’s another example of a New England Italianate that leans more toward sage/gray-green than mint:

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (17)

Sigrid
last year
Rather than looking at picture, walk/drive around your neighborhood and look at green houses. I like the light olive in the first inspo pic. If you do that, you might go with a brown for the shutters.

Freshly painted houses always look great, so you'll probably love whatever you pick.
18florence thanked Sigrid
tracefloyd
last year
last modified: last year
I'm not fond of Cream and Green so I would go with 2 and you already have the Black and White trim. Love love your B/W trim. The duller greens shown are....dull. Love your crisp #2 green for your house.

Here is a Benjamin Moore visualizer in Aberdeen Green with B/W trim...nice. Trim Chantilly Lace, Black Satin. Door TBD.
18florence thanked tracefloyd
Related Discussions
What do you think about this house and how would you paint it
Q
Comments (9)
Nice house with potential. It's been added onto at least once, looks like twice. Are the kitchen and bath in the newest parts? Second the idea of retaining the trees for awhile, thinking you may keep them, because they 'are' period authentic. I live in an 1820s federal and there was also a very tall one directly in front of our bedroom window, past the second story. In it sat mockingbirds the first night I slept in this house. Since this house has been around so long, all the other oldsters in our rural area have memories about it, and many have shared, including pictures. There in one picture of a Civil war soldier about to leave for battle, was the tree. And several others still standing on our property. It finally came down in a storm a couple years ago, and I felt like a piece of history went with it.
...See More
Ethnic odours in home
Q
Comments (61)
The discussion on what people 'ought' to be able to afford as 'middle class' interests me. In my market I just checked out the current MLS listings nd the average one bedroom condo over 650 sqft is $491,866 The average 2 bed condo over 800 sqft is approx $660,000 and the average 3 + bed condo is around $1M When it comes to houses, the average one family home available now is around $1.3M and the average 2 Family house is also around $1.3M. This is close to NYC, but not actually in NYC, and is where many people move from Manhattan for more affordable housing. I would consider most people to be middle class here. How do they do it? Well paying jobs, equity from other homes sold and help from parents in some cases. A starter studio condo here STARTS at $247,000 for 465 sqft. Most people start with something like this and then move up the property ladder from there. It's not easy. We started (with no parental help at all) five years ago when $250,000 would buy a niceish 650 sqft one bedroom condo and worked our way up from there. A lot of people spend a lot of their income on housing around here. I'm not sure that it's fair to state that someone who is 'middle class' should not be spending $800,000 on a home. It all depends on where you live and what your money will buy you in that specific area. BTW the average income in my town is around $65,000 I think and so far (touch wood), I have only ever heard of one foreclosure and it was actually when the market was hotter.
...See More
Help With Exterior Paint 1910 home Pictures
Q
Comments (30)
aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh (restful sigh) finally got the little one to sleep :) Patser, thanks for the link. I like 5 the best. Stucco is tricky. I think stucco looks best in stone like colors. I chose this green because it looks gray and green in different light ... stone with a little something extra. It's funny you mention terra cotta - last year I was certain I wanted a terra cotta house with green trim. I don't know what changed my mind, but it's like my tastes changed. Lindy ... THANK YOU!!! I always wondered if I should add shutters. I like the look. I got some samples and will try to get some paint on those walls this weekend. DH is happy the fence is back - HA!! We needed to put it in the front yard. I always miss being able to see the porch when driving by. But with a 4 year old and a busy major road and the dog ... it just had to be done. After seeing the pics I found ... do you think this color scheme could work on my house, or is the general feeling my house is too simple? Thanks again for all your input!! I am excited :)
...See More
Residing 1960 Cape- Color Help
Q
Comments (46)
a) Absolutely have him move them! Or can he order the slightly smaller ones that you would like? (I understand, whenever I see shutters improperly sized (aka, almost everywhere) it makes me cringe). If it bugs you it will probably always bug you so might as well have it fixed! Make sure he caulks the holes made in the siding so you don't have any weaknesses. b) It depends...does he willingly do the dishes??? :) c) No no! Push to the end!!! (we drooped at the end of our kitchen and we still dont' have baseboards :) Bonus) Absolutely paint paint! I'm a vote for deep red or really deep purple (we have it and I LOVE it, even DH loves it :) and it looks really beautiful with greys...you could tie it in with lavender colored flowers maybe... I LOVE how your house is turning out, I was a little skeptical of removing the shakes but it really is looking fabulous! Your house looks like the exact style and size of mine, do you mind my asking how much your siding quote was? I am in Illinois so it would probably be different anyway but I was just curious :) From house just a thought :)
...See More
Related Professionals
Ardmore Painters · Pepper Pike Painters · Woodbury Painters · Branford Flooring Contractors · South Lake Tahoe Flooring Contractors · St. Louis Flooring Contractors · Thornton Flooring Contractors · Washington Flooring Contractors · Whitman Interior Designers & Decorators · Silver Spring Furniture & Accessories · St. Louis Window Treatments · King of Prussia Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · South Farmingdale Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Emeryville Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Linton Hall Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers
cat_ky
last year
I like the #2 green too. I like the crisp clean of the color. Not fond of the grayed greens, at all. I also like the black trim, and doors. Love the look of the way the house above posted by tracefloyd looks. It would be perfect for your house.
0
18florence thanked cat_ky
elcieg
last year
last modified: last year
Golly, a couple of those homes look like they are in Harvard Sq. where I went to college and lived for 12 years after out girls went off to college. Love #1

Also love this one:
0
18florence thanked elcieg
Jilly
last year
Your home is beautiful!

#1 is my favorite. I really like the softer color scheme.

Whatever you decide, please show us, OP!
0
18florence thanked Jilly
18florence
Original Author
last year
@elcieg the first and third ones are actually in the Brattle Street neighborhood! Number 2 is in Brunswick, Maine, near Bowdoin College and we are in Boston.
elcieg
last year
last modified: last year
@18florence, I knew it. #1 is in Porter Sq.

I would walk up and down those streets when we moved to Concord Ave.. I went to Lesley Univ and really wanted to go back to Cambridge for a while. We had our house on the Cape, so living in a city condo was a fun 12 years.

The salmon color house is on Walker St...Radcliff Quad. This was my daughter's first condo. There are two houses on one lot and the front one is an Italianate. You can barely see it, but it is painted a beautiful blue with cream trim. The stairs lead to my other daughter's first condo.

I'd forgotten about the front house, but always loved the color. Possibly B.M. Hamilton Blue?
0
chispa
last year
For a similar look I used BM Nantucket Gray for siding and for trim BM Moonlight White.

That was also in New England. Unfortunately no photos of that house as that was before easy digital photography!

Here are photos of Nantucket Gray HC-111 from Houzz
Country Club Drive, Long Island · More Info

Quiet Casual Home · More Info
0
Alyssa Fernandez
last year
last modified: last year
elcieg, I don't suppose you were there in the early 80s? If so, we overlapped!

18florence, I'm going to be an outlier and say I like #1 and #3 better than the minty #2, especially for an Italianate. Maybe BM Cypress Green or Saybrook Sage?
0
elcieg
last year
last modified: last year
@Alyssa Fernandez, College, 1965 and then back to the Square in '92 and were there 12 years. Where were you? For, sure Cambridge has some of the most fabulous examples of architecture.
0
Alyssa Fernandez
last year
College, class of ‘85. My husband and I met there. We were in Mather House.
0
PRO
Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
last year
last modified: last year
I like your inspiration photo. Aloof Gray SW would work.
0
elcieg
last year
@Alyssa Fernandez, close to the Charles...great spot for a dorm. Was Elsie's Roast Beef dell still there?
0
elcieg
last year
last modified: last year
@18florence, found a interesting article on Italianate homes. Here is a description of paint tones used on exterior:

Italianate houses, of course, were meant to evoke the stone construction of Italy; thus buff and straw stone colors are a good choice for exterior color. Bisque-color limestone, grey-green, and stoney grey to blue colors are appropriate. If the body color is light, do the trim darker: olive, drab, mahogany red-brown. If the body is dark, trim may be done in limestone-yellow or limestone-grey. Sash should be painted in a dark color. The front door was often varnished, not painted. Accent colors or a reversal of body and trim are popular on projecting bays.

I can't copy photo, but take a look at #2:

https://reneerenovates.com/2022/03/26/my-top-5-green-exterior-paint-colors-by-benjamin-moore-and-what-i-chose/

I did it:

Found the exterior colors on another link.
elcieg
last year
We went for the roast beef sandwich. Elsie put some kind of relish on it. For me that was a strange combo, but it was delish.
0
Kitana Mejia
last year
I'd do a pale light pink with white trim. Just classy and elegant. I rehab homes in the historic districts and choosing the paint scheme can be one of the most difficult
0

Related Stories

DECORATING GUIDES Here's How to Steer Clear of 10 Top Design Don'ts

By Judith Taylor Designs

Get interiors that look professionally styled even if you're taking the DIY route, by avoiding these common mistakes

COLOR Pick-a-Paint Help: How to Quit Procrastinating on Color Choice

By Laura Gaskill

If you're up to your ears in paint chips but no further to pinning down a hue, our new 3-part series is for you

DECLUTTERING Downsizing Help: How to Edit Your Belongings

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

Learn what to take and what to toss if you're moving to a smaller home

MOST POPULAR How to Choose a Front Door Color

By Vanessa Brunner

If choosing a door paint isn't an open-and-shut case for you, here's help

REMODELING GUIDES How to Survive a Kitchen Remodel

By Becky Harris

Washing mugs in the tub and getting hooked on Pop-Tarts. Here’s what to expect if you stay at home during construction

INSIDE HOUZZ How Much Does a Remodel Cost, and How Long Does It Take?

By Erin Carlyle

The 2016 Houzz & Home survey asked 120,000 Houzzers about their renovation projects. Here’s what they said

RUGS 10 Tips for Getting a Dining Room Rug Just Right

By Laura Gaskill

Is the rug you’re considering the right size, shape and weave for your dining room? Here’s what to keep in mind

KITCHEN CABINETS Painted vs. Stained Kitchen Cabinets

Wondering whether to go for natural wood or a painted finish for your cabinets? These pros and cons can help

DECORATING GUIDES What You Need to Know Before Painting Brick

By Vanessa Brunner

Sure, painted brick can be a great look. But you need to take some risks into account. Here's how to paint brick like a pro

WORKING WITH PROS 7 Things That Stand in the Way of Having an Organized Home

By Tailorly, Professional Home Organizing

Whether your challenge is a lack of time, a young child, poor health or another obstacle, a pro can help you through

Sponsored

Virginia Kitchen & Bath

154 Reviews

Virginia's Award Winning One Stop Kitchen & Bath Remodeling Resource

More Discussions

A farmhouse kitchen makeover

169

kitchen cabinet color confusion

28

need help picking….

15

trying to decide on what to do with these dining room walls?

7

what color paint?

0