Elizabeth’s Color Conundrum
When Elizabeth wrote to us in search of some exterior color scheme suggestions, we pulled out our paint decks in search of the perfect palette. Here’s her letter:
We are in desperate need of some help with our exterior paint palette! As you can see, our builder thought black, orange, and white were appropriate year-round choices. It does look great during Halloween, but not so good during the rest of the year. We need a new exterior paint palette that says “What a fabulous, cute, cottage!” rather than “Happy Halloween”. We like charcoal, brown, light blue, light green, lime green, orange… pretty much anything. The pumpkin-colored trim and white siding must stay, and we are planning to paint all of the black parts “Texas Leather” by Benjamin Moore (AC-3). Additionally, we are replacing the existing deck rail on the front and back with a cool crosshatched wire railing. We would like an accent color to be used on our front door, back door, and window frames that will look fab. We’d like to add one of those big, metal barn stars in the center of the peak above the front door and would like color (or metal) suggestions for the star. We are also open to changing out porch light fixtures, adding accessories/shutters, etc too. If you think it’s absolutely necessary, we would even consider painting the white siding a different color! Thanks! - Elizabeth
Elizabeth’s adorable abode is just bursting with potential, so without further ado, three paint palettes that will take her charming home from just fine to super fabulous:
The bottom three colors in each palette represent the current colors of the house (white with burnt orange trim) and the brown tone that Elizabeth has already chosen to repaint all the black surfaces (the porch, the foundation and the posts). The two smaller swatches on top of each pile are for the front door and some other accessories that we think will add even more charm and style to Elizabeth’s oh-so-sweet cottage. Of course here’s where we mention that the colors on the screen are only as accurate as your monitor and are extremely drab in comparison to the actual swatches, so we encourage Elizabeth to grab the paint chips and hold them up outside to see which scheme tickles her fancy. Can’t wait to see which one she goes for.
And now for the paint palette breakdown.
1. As we mentioned above, the bottom three colors in the swatch represent the existing color of the siding and trim and the soon-to-be applied brown tone that will cover everything that’s currently black (from the porch to the pillars and the foundation). The top two chips represent our accent colors that will wash everything from the front door to a few cheerful accessories. The happy green tone is perfect for the front door (tones of green will really pop against the existing orange trim- which is why it makes an appearance in all three of the schemes above) and Benjamin Moore’s Pale Avocado (2146-40) will be the perfect pick to draw everyone in.
Although we like the existing porch light fixture and the window trim tone and don’t think the house would work with shutters, we did think of another way to get in a little more of our accent color: a big welcoming window box under that great picture window on the left (another one for the right window on the porch couldn’t hurt either- we’ll call the second one optional). The window box could be painted the same cheery tone as the door (Pale Avocado) or can even be coated with a few coats of Benjamin Moore’s Rainforest Dew (2146-50) which is basically a lighter, creamier shade of the bright green door color. Yummy. Oh and when it comes to the big star on the peak above the front door, we think that will be another great way to add charm and interest. For all three of these palettes we’d suggest going with either a deep coppery brown metallic tone (no paint, just the natural color of the metal) or the lighter accent color in each scheme (in this case the Rainforest Dew). Lastly, bringing in some ceramic pots to line the left side of those entryway stairs in similar green tones will add even more consistency and style to our new color scheme. Anyone craving an avocado now?
2. This second palette features a pale creamy yellowy-green for the front door (Benjamin Moore’s Mellowed Ivory 2149-50) which will keep things really light and smooth for a fresh and crisp appeal. Then for our other accent, we dug up a soft gray-green tone (Benjamin Moore’s Croquet AF-455) which will look great everywhere from the window boxes to a few ceramic planters and even spray painted on an iron bistro table or bench on the front porch. This scheme isn’t as bright as the others, but it’s definitely light and airy- which is always a good thing (especially when the trim is such a saturated tone).
3. Our last color scheme features another fabulous green door (this one’s a bit muddier thanks to a splash of gray) in Benjamin Moore’s Grasshopper (AF-415) and we also think the window boxes could be this color as well. Then for some real fun, we’d introduce some deep and sophisticated eggplant colored pots in colors that mimic Benjamin Moore’s Chambourd (AF-645). Oh and the swatch above does the real paint chip no justice- it’s deep and moody and gorgeous in person. Bringing in eggplant tones will complement the green door and window boxes resulting in a stylish and dynamic first impression from the curb. And planting some deep blue and purple flowers along with some green shrubs around the house will also help to tie everything together.
So there it is. Three ways for Elizabeth to swank up her curb appeal and add inviting style to her home’s exterior. We can’t wait to hear what you guys think- especially you Elizabeth! And if anyone else is in desperate need of a custom paint palette (or three) just click here for some help.
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Comments
I like the third one the best. It has the biggest deviation from feeling like a pumpkin or Halloween house to me =) Plus, that purple-y color is divine!
My vote goes to #1! I think the various shades of green will balance out the trim color. I agree that some pots, planters and patio furniture will spruce things up beautifully!
#1 is awesome! That green is exactly what would turn the house around, almost spring-like to get away from the Halloween feeling…
Wow, they are all fantastic!! It’s going to be a tough decision. We already had the chips for the ‘pale avocado’ and the rainforest dew’, and they look great. Can’t wait to go to the paint store tomorrow for paint chips and samples…Thanks so much for your help.
I like #2 the best. Not digging the purple with orange thing.