Painting- body color suggestions please

[CivilWarHome]

Now that we are doing much needed soffit, fascia board, guttering and trim/molding repairs- we realize we need to pick colors for the house as well. We might as well paint while we are up there, although the body will not be done this year, the windows and trim will be (backwards much?)

The original stucco was tinted a very dark gray. Almost black in some light. I like the look of the lighter gray houses with black windows and white trim but I don't think that would work on ours because we do not have trim around the windows. I can not access my photobucket account so the only image I can share is on the I need.. I need.. to see pictures of your exterior thread in the general discussions section of the forum. (page 2)

Ignore the porch, that will be tore down and become a future rebuild project. Also ignore the vinyl inserts above the aluminum storms, they will be taken off and all the windows will look like the small one above the porch.

We seem to be stuck in a rut, or the trickle down effect. We can't seem to come up with a good body color that we can then work off of. The roof, windows, trim, etc is all being held up by this not so simple decision.

[Kansas. 1911.]

I found it easier to pick a roof color as there are fewer choices. Once the roof is chosen, even if it is not put on yet, the rest can follow. Would it be possible for you to pick a roof color?

[CivilWarHome]

We were going to go with a neutral roof color but we haven't decided because we are tossing around shingles vs metal. I guess we will have to decide on that first. Thanks

Anyone familiar with Italianate colors?

[wletson]

Thought I would move the picture over here for you. I have been pretty sick with a cold, so I really don't have the energy today, but I will try to think about your paintjob later.

If you want, I can photoshop a paint job on your house for you

[S Melissa]

What I learned when trying to decide what to paint our house was the Victorians loved nature, and they strongly felt that the house should be a part of nature, ergo, the house colors were that of the natural world. Neutral - not so much - as one wouldn't think my dark green as neutral as in today's thinking - more "natural"

First - check out http://www.historichousecolors.com Good grief, this guy should send me a check for all the times I recommend him. I used him (another on here did as well I believe) to choose house colors - it was too expensive to make a mistake and I wanted to do something bold (but I needed hand holding!).

Next - here's a link to one of my albums on photobucket (I hope) http://s130.photobucket.com/albums/p271/Melsplace1/Architectural%20Information/#!cpZZ1QQtppZZ16

There's a number of random "this I like" photos here that might give you some inspiration - sorry for the clutter. I collect stuff and seldom edit.

And last, I would direct you to Sherwin Williams site. There they have a "color visualizer" where you can upload either a room or a house and then experiment with colors. Do watch the tutorial video - it's short - you'll feel much more in command of your skills with it - as without it you feel like you're about 2 yrs old with a fat crayon. Here's the link: http://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/find-and-explore-colors/

Take your time. You have a very pretty house, and it will really bloom with the right colors!

[CivilWarHome]

wletson, I hope you are feeling better soon! Ty for the photo transfer. I would love to see what you can come up with color wise. Take your time, we just found out that the materials we ordered would not be shipped until mid July. I wonder why they didn't inform us of that possibility when we bought it. They said Kansas City-which apparently translates to overseas?!

(The dentil molding is gone and we would like to put it back. If that helps with colors/features)

S.Melissa, Ty for the advice! I will look at the links and try coming up with something. I did try the color visualizer before asking the forum. I can't seem to make the colors look right and the arched windows are butchered while trying to fill in my wall. The photo I have (the same one showing) just blurs when I try enlarging it.

I do love how the dark green looks on your house. I'm surprised by my dark gray stucco. I did see another house that was just a tad lighter with white windows, but it just didn't highlight the features in a way I liked. If we stuck to that theme my only idea was lighter shades of gray.

[Eden]

wletson

What brand and color is the color on your house pictured here, is it a pale creamy almost yellow?

Thanks!

[Eden]

Sorry if I'm hijacking but since it's a paint subject, I'm jumping in as my email runs out next Weds - I'm moving to the farm.

wletson, if you are still sick, please excuse the bump and go back to bed. If not, the reason I ask is my 1843-47 Italianate farmhouse needs to be painted. It is now white, the cube section of the roof is silver standing seam and the el is asphalt red with light blends of black in it. I hate red, wish it were all standing seam silver.

I want the palest cream/yellow look with gray shutters and your house looks that color unless it's the light of the day playing with a white house. So, is that white or pale yellow on yours, please? I've seen this color on painted clapboards and vinyl siding and I love the light touch of color. Many have light blue shutters which I don't like, I prefer it w/gray or charcoal to match my grayish barn.

My roof is fairly new so I am stuck with it, wish I could paint or rubberize it gray or charcoal.

So do you or anyone else know of the company or color I'm trying to describe, please.

Phew, thanks.

[michaelskis]

Does anyone have any suggestions on colors for a 1890 East Lake Victorian (in the picture below) that does not have extensive outside ornamentation... Oh, and with a light red color roofing shingle? Right now, the wife and I are thinking of a medium beige color for the clapboard body, colonial white for trim, a cranberry color for the accent, and a darker beige for the single sided gables.

Anyone have any specific suggestions? It would be a color change as the house is now a grayish blue/green color that the wife and I both hate.


EDIT... I just realized that I have a bunch more questions... since we are planning to strip it down to the wood, we were thinking of using a primer separate from the paint. But now I see that there are several companies that have a combination of paint and primer all in one. Has anyone ever used one of these and would you recommend it on bare wood or would you recommend each being applied separately?

[CivilWarHome]

I think we need a designer on the forum