My house (circa 1935).
I’m getting my house painted in a week or so, and I’ve yet to pick out colors because A) I’m a guy; and B) I’m one of those guys who is, um, differently color-vision-abled. So I thought I’d try crowd-sourcing the decision. What colors should I paint my 1912 craftsman (currently a pale yellowish base with brownish looking trim)?
Seriously. Here’s the Benjamin Moore online color selection tool. I’m open to your suggestions.*
* (Though please don’t suggest some stupid color combination like the elementary school kids who would rip the wrappers off the crayons the minute they learned I was colorblind, and then tell me that the brown crayon was green—I’ll run my options by some actual women first just to make sure I’m not being fucked with.)
I’d go with a light color so your house will be as cool as possible in the summer.
what color is the roof? White or tan?
Agree with Cyn — need the roof color.
Once that is shared, here’s a resource to look at:
http://retrorenovation.com/201.....bungalows/
Always go with the pastels.
Cyn is spot on. Had a house in Ballard with a green roof (think teal). Right away limited the palette.
If you’re lucky and the roof is some shade of gray, then you can go wild. But David is on the right track. If most of your ext trim detail is intact from the photo and in particular if the original double hung windows haven’t been lost its well worth a detailed two color trim. Sherwin Williams used to have some bungalow collections pre-arranged in coordinating trims.
Caution: I don’t know if WA state is certifying painting contractors for lead based paint removal yet. But you absolutely need to ensure that any disturbance of lower coats during prep is contained and cleaned up. Typically this means completely tarping all the surrounding areas to capture particles, lots of water mist to prevent particles from becoming airborne, and NO power tools for prep. Do this for the children. If your contractor balks, find another. Keep all windows and doors shut during prep. Do not run furnace, a/c, blowers, or vent fans. Borrow a vacuum cleaner with a hepa filter and vacuum daily during prep. Wash the floors and interior sills. Change your furnace filter.
The first thing you did right was picking Benjamin Moore paint. Best paint you can get. The second thing you did right is realizing a woman should have a say. I agree with David about researching colors appropriate for your architectural style. Now here’s my suggestion: Find a female real estate agent who sells a lot of houses in your neighborhood and offer her $100 to drive by your house and tell you what colors to paint it. That C-note will be one of the best investments you ever made.
Silver grey and light blue.
Well you could go with all the colors of the rainbow, which scientifically is white since white is a reflection of all frequencies of light, some of which you don’t pick up. I do feel sorry for dogs since they only see shade of gray and red, so don’t ask your local beagle. I suggest basic white you. It’s boring but you can’t go wrong with the classic solution. Otherwise go with Skittles. Or M&M’s.
Well you could go with all the colors of the rainbow, which scientifically is white since white is a reflection of all frequencies of light, some of which you don’t pick up. I do feel sorry for dogs since they only see shade of gray and red, so don’t ask your local beagle. I suggest basic white you. It’s boring but you can’t go wrong with the classic solution. Otherwise go with Skittles. Or M&M’s.
rushing river (http://www.benjaminmoore.com/e.....shingriver) with landscape and sparkling wine accents.
good luck!
Check into the lead paint. And talk to an agent. I, personally, wouldn’t go with a pastel as they show dirt and pollution more quickly. I would go with a mid-intensity body. You can go with a mid-green body, putty or tan trim and deep orange or plum door and highlights. What decides which is the roof: Brown or tan roof with warm tones pick a warm green, putty & orange. Grey or cool brown roof pick a cool green and the plum. Another really good historical guide would be Antiquehomestyle.com
cyn
Cedar shakes, coated with clear Penofin.
You can do this yourself, it looks awesome, and it will last a long time with little maintenance if you like weathered natural wood.
You’d also encapsulate any nasty stuff in the old paint.
Goes with any color roof.
I’d be pleased to help you.
Based on all your postings…I’d recommend this one:
http://www.benjaminmoore.com/e.....#ce_s=envy
yellow. It’s always fun to live in a bright yellow house.
Sometimes reader and first-time commenter, here.
First, I want to point out that one’s sex has nothing to do with an aptitude for design. Saying that you’re incapable of picking out a color palette for your house because you are a “guy” is both sexist and homophobic. The former because you assume that “real men” don’t concern themselves with such trivialities and so it must be a woman’s domain, and the latter by way of the former: because it is in the domain of women, no self-respecting cis-gendered male would bother with such concerns. If you want to call yourself a liberal, you should know better.
Secondly (and this is coming from a femme gay male), given that your house is a craftsman I would choose a color palette that reflects the ethos of the that movement. Thus, colors from nature that harmonize the building with the environment. Hunter greens, beiges, tans and rusts are good choices, as are shades of navy or grey.
Just my $0.02