Paint My House!

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

It's time to choose paint colors for my reconstructed house.

It is a traditional full Cape with 2 dormers on the front.  Currently, the exterior, which is cedar shingles, is painted white.  The roof and shutters are black.  There are shutters for all windows, including the front dormers.  The front door is a Benjamin Moore color called Cottage Red (almost a burgundy) that is no longer sold.  (This is the original exterior from when we bought the 4 house years ago.)  On either side we have a pale yellow house and a natural cedar shingle (think a dark oak) colored houses.

If I could figure how to post a picture of a similar home on this stupid Ipad, I would.  So, I will ask you to use your imaginations.  

Anyway, I am thinking of painting the body of the house Benjamin Moore Arroyo Red, the shutters and door Benjamin Moore Jet Black, and the trim Benjamin Moore Ultra White.

Another strong contender is Benjamin Moore Gray with the same Jet Black shutters and Ultra White trim.

Any opinions either way?  Any other color suggestions?  (I am one house removed from the Historic District so no color limitations...aside from good taste, LOL.)

[Peace Of Mind]

My vote would be the gray with white trim and either the Arroyo Red shutters and door or the black.  I have a black door for my house with a beige with lavender tint body and white trim.  We never got our shutters but if we still do that one day they will be black.

  Is this the Gray you mentioned or is it different?  I really like this one.

[shanendoah]

If the door doesn't NEED to be painted, I kind of like the idea of the gray house with black shutters, white trim, and the red front door. Otherwise, gray with red shutters and door, white trim.

Otherwise, I really am a fan of the classic white house with black shutters and trim. (And red door.)

[Tiny]

What about black/red/and a yellowy cream combo:
www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20586187_21145219,00.html


There's a Sears manufactured house down the block from me - it's not a Cape Code but it's got shutters .
They did it in Black (mansard roof), white painted brick exterior walls, and then sunny Yellow shutters/trim. It's doesn't sound that great - but it does look nice.

[zibazinski]

I like the gray

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

Tiny:  The link is broken.  Also, the house you described sounds interesting.  Some people have such vision.  I *think* I do, BUT I am working with a traditional style house in a traditional New England colonial town.  I *could* think outside the traditional box! but what if I hate the finished product?  I'm sending 2 kids to college in the next two years -- no money to repaint if I hate the outcome, so I need to stay safe.  Until they graduate.  

Everyone:  the gray is on the tone that POM posted -- a true gray, not a blue gray.

I do really like my red door, so I am totally open to keeping it if I go with the gray body, black shutters, and white trim.  

Any other ideas?   

[Happy prose]

I think gray and white combo is beautiful.

[Lizard Queen]

I vote for keeping the door red.  It's good feng shui (not that I'm a blind follower of it, but it seems like a good guideline for design).

Most paint places can color match.

[tskeeter]

How about researchng what some of the historic colors for Capes were.  There is a reason why classic colors and color combinations are classic colors.  Historic/traditional/classic doesn't mean white with black embelishments.  When I've looked, the historic color pallettes had a surprising amount of variety.

[Tiny]

I can't figure out how to get the link to work. If you go the 'long way home' you can cut the link and paste it into a new browser window and it will work.

You could google images with "historic Cap Cod Paint colors". That might get you there.


here's an exterior that's black, yellow, and white
azlifewave.com/fair-pictures-of-home-exterior-decoration-with-various-exterior-paint-colors/great-ideas-for-home-exterior-design-using-light-yellow-exterior-paint-color-including-red-single-front-door-and-double-vintage-black-outdoor-wall-sconces/

[ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ]

I love the gray with black shutters/door and white trim. It's classic, yet classy looking.

I think you'd be sick of an Arroyo red house (main color), pretty quickly - and regret making that choice. It's very dark for a main color:

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

Peace Of Mind:  I like the colors for your house.  This has been a total vertical learning curve for me.  As you mentioned, there is beige, but no single beige -- your lavender tint, beiges with green tints, brown tints, reddish tints, etc.  

I never realized how complicated choosing paint colors is.

[Bonny]

I like the gray as well.

And just to repeat, if you really like your "discontinued" red you can bring a sample to any Home Depot and they will match. If you go during the week during a non-peak time ask for their "expert" color person and s/he will take their time to make a perfect match.

I had to do this with a wall that was painted the same color as my main house color. This was a really tough match. I was amazed at how we went color drop by drop to get the perfect match.

[wyouser]

Where, may I ask, is your home located?  Plans to actually paint outside dies around here  usually in early September. I envy you if you can paint outside in December!  In Wyoming  right now there would be more in the can than JUST a solid color (hint hint, we are not talking anything "liquid" in the paint can.

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

Dec 8, 2014 17:08:47 GMT -5 ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ said:

I love the gray with black shutters/door and white trim. It's classic, yet classy looking.

I think you'd be sick of an Arroyo red house (main color), pretty quickly - and regret making that choice. It's very dark for a main color:

LOL.  That's the color scheme but with black shutters and door.  Think more of the addition on that house than the main house and picture a black roof.  

It it makes me think of one room school houses which around here were Capes.  

[Tiny]

I agree with everyone who said you can get the paint color matched. If the original color was a "standard" one - the only thing that may have changed is the Name of the color.

My house is done in a maroon/cream color combo that were originally from a "historical color palette" offered by Dutch Boy back about 20 years ago... I had to repaint the garage trim and the new garage service door and found the exact same color(s) -but now they were discribed as "New England" something.


Even if you had a custom color originally - visit your Big Box home store OR your local paint store (there are Sherwin Williams stores in my area). As was recommended ask for someone with experience with the paint computer/charts/etc. You'll get an exact match.

if you have the original paint card (with the name/number on it) or the receipt with the name/number on it OR the label they put on the can o' paint (usually the lid) with the 'recipe' -- bring that with you. It may speed things up considerably.

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

Dec 8, 2014 16:52:07 GMT -5 Tiny said:

I can't figure out how to get the link to work. If you go the 'long way home' you can cut the link and paste it into a new browser window and it will work.

You could google images with "historic Cap Cod Paint colors". That might get you there.


here's an exterior that's black, yellow, and white
azlifewave.com/fair-pictures-of-home-exterior-decoration-with-various-exterior-paint-colors/great-ideas-for-home-exterior-design-using-light-yellow-exterior-paint-color-including-red-single-front-door-and-double-vintage-black-outdoor-wall-sconces/

I really like the yellow house you posted.  I should. It's twin is right outside my living room windows.    Seriously, though, if it wasn't already the color scheme of my neighbor's house, I would go with yellow.  I like yellow houses.  They just seem inviting to me.  

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

Dec 8, 2014 17:23:43 GMT -5 wyouser said:

Where, may I ask, is your home located?  Plans to actually paint outside dies around here  usually in early September. I envy you if you can paint outside in December!  In Wyoming  right now there would be more in the can than JUST a solid color (hint hint, we are not talking anything "liquid" in the paint can.

LOL!!!  Solid (frozen) paint just doesn't spread well, does it?

Not to worry.  I'm in Massachusetts.  No exterior painting till Spring (they tried last week during a warm spell and we squashed that quickly).  The contractor wants the interior colors for this week -- which left me spent, LOL.  Why in the world do we need sooooo many colors of paint?  I know, first world problem.  But, now that that overwhelming task is done, I now need to turn my attention on the exterior which is actually a far more stressful decision, IMHO.  I can always repaint a room if I hate the color.  But, repainting an entire house because I hate the color just isn't going to happen until several years after it has started showing wear, LOL.  

[shanendoah]

Why does having a neighbor with a yellow house prevent you from having a yellow house? If you love yellow houses, then your house should be yellow.
If your neighbor complains, you can simply say that everyday when looking around the neighborhood, their house was always your favorite to see, one that made you feel like that house was warm and inviting, and that was what you wanted for your home.

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

Dec 8, 2014 18:15:58 GMT -5 shanendoah said:

Why does having a neighbor with a yellow house prevent you from having a yellow house? If you love yellow houses, then your house should be yellow.
If your neighbor complains, you can simply say that everyday when looking around the neighborhood, their house was always your favorite to see, one that made you feel like that house was warm and inviting, and that was what you wanted for your home.

How will I give directions?  I can't be the "yellow house on Main Street".  I'll have to be "the yellow house on Main Street but not the first one".     J/k

Point well taken.  I' ll give it so e thought.  Thanks!

[Jaguar]

Dec 8, 2014 14:48:37 GMT -5 Tiny said:

What about black/red/and a yellowy cream combo:
www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20586187_21145219,00.html


There's a Sears manufactured house down the block from me - it's not a Cape Code but it's got shutters .
They did it in Black (mansard roof), white painted brick exterior walls, and then sunny Yellow shutters/trim. It's doesn't sound that great - but it does look nice.

I highlighted the whole URL and clicked on Go To.....it got me there. Nice house.