“It’s just paint…” AND the common argument to calm the nerves and gain a commitment!

However, if you have ever stared blankly at the palate of paint color chips or opted for the safe “white with black shutters” then you are in the 99^th percentile.  Let’s face it, exterior home colors are challenging…these color selections can take you from cottage to classic to Caribbean all with a flip of the fan deck.

Layer on brick and stone selections, architectural details, the streetscape, neighborhood review boards and sunlight orientation and the simple decision becomes complex…

Can I get an amen?

Granted choosing paint is not brain surgery but it can certainly be a challenge that can cause the faint of heart to go with the tried and true.

Granted choosing paint is not brain surgery but it can certainly be a challenge that can cause the faint of heart to go with the tried and true.

First impressions set the tone for the space.  Casual or Formal, traditional or with personal flair, paint can impact you from first sight. Does the exterior blend with the environment or pop with whimsy? Do your color selections stay consistent with architectural style or add a 21^st century element to freshen?

The lower part of the home is Artichoke 6179 by Sherwin Williams. The upper part is slightly lighter with Clary Sage 6178. The front door is black.

One delight of my job is to select (or work with Home Owners to help select) exterior paint colors for their Evans Coghill Home.  Admittedly, it is not always easy…and sometimes I tweak an accent or front door color to reflect the personality of the home or family within that may not have been evident on first take.

Much is taken into consideration when I blend color selections…At Evans Coghill Homes, we use the Sherwin Williams paint experts to come up with good solid colors that don’t require customization.

My process begins with a two dimensional black and white drawing of the front of the home that gives me a feel for the architectural elements and where I want to place emphasis.  For example, do the informal stone accents dictate earth tones or speak to a classic stately home?   Does the front porch and lap siding say farm house crisp or does the craftsman board and batten detail offer an opportunity for deeper traditional colors?

I then consider the adjacent homes and the streetscape.  Does the neighborhood style direct me to a family of colors that are “muddy or clear” in undertones?  I like BIG paint chips that I mix and match much like playing cards even taking them outside to be sure my desk light is not tinting the true color.  Fact:  Natural light often mutes a muddy color while a clear color can become more intense.

I look for balance.  Does the weight of the color “sit” in the right areas?  Are there dark areas that need lightening up?  Is the house grounded with the heavier colors giving the house a solid feel?  Does the trim blend with the home in a pleasing way…or does the trim outline the house?

Lastly, if I were standing on the street, would I want to go inside?  Is the home most welcoming in this color palate?

No doubt, color selection takes some ability to visualize color on the home but more and more paint companies are offering apps that aide in the process.  Allowing home owners to “color” pictures of your home so much of the guesswork is alleviated.

In the end…color and BEAUTY is in the eye of the beholder and what you like, your family may not but that is a good thing.  The ebb and flow of design allows everyone to contribute and in the end often makes for a better end product that suits many personalities.

Most importantly, our homes should make us feel good…comfortable and reflective of what we love. If you are interested in letting us build your new home, you can be sure that we will help you every step of the way from porches to plumbing to PAINT!

Jai

(Evans Coghill builds new homes in neighborhoods like Riverwalk, River Run, Cheval and Plaza Midwood. Some the neighborhoods have architectural restrictions which control exterior colors other don’t. We will help you find just the right color for your new home!)