Thanks for visiting my blog. I would love to help you. I answer questions on any one room or a home’s exterior for $20 (the cost of a couple sample cans of paint). Click on the secure PayPal button below for your convenience. After receiving payment, I will answer your question directly on the blog. Working together, we can save you from costly mistakes and unnecessary trips to the paint store. Let me help you with your color challenges. -Barbara, Your Home & Color Coach
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Dear Barbara,
I hope I’m using this website correctly (not much experience). Here is the problem: I live in Europe, while I have a home under construction in the States (Washington State, Olympic Peninsula). I have to choose virtually everything from afar and the exterior paint scheme seems the most difficult. The house is a story-and-a-half style, dormers in front, set amongst a few pines in an open field. The siding will be shingles of fiber cement (James Hardie). We have settled on a two-tone paint scheme, rich cream (primary) and light-medium sagey-grey-green (accent), plus the fascia will be in white along with the vinyl windows. But … what to paint green is the question. We will have a ‘belly band’ about one foot wide around the middle of the house, and are entertaining a few shutters on some of the windows and a couple of the patio doors. Would you stop at painting those accent areas, or paint the front porch (7′ x 10′) green as well? Would you paint any of the trim/casing around the windows as well? I’m attaching the latest (not so good) photo of the partially framed house courtesy of a future neighbor to give you a better feel.
Many, many thanks!
Hi again Michael,
Thanks for sending the photos. They’re very helpful.
Have you considered painting the whole house sagey grey green and using the rich cream as a trim color? Although it’s ideal to have the trim around the windows match the vinyl, it’s not absolutely critical.
I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a ‘belly band’ but I would recommend keeping it the house color to avoid cutting the house in half visually.
As for the front porch, have you considered just staining the wood and keeping the porch natural? It would fit your surroundings, certainly. Just an idea.
If you want to keep the green as a trim color, I would suggest bumping up the cream to more of a tan. That way there won’t be so much contrast between the body of the house and the trim. Darker trim around windows makes them look smaller and I’m a little afraid that the cream body and darker trim might do just that.
Hope that helps a little.
-Barbara
Your Home & Color Coach
Dear Barbara,
I just discovered you site as I was looking for decorating ideas. I just purchases my first home and at a loss for what colors to paint it. It is a very small ranch with a finished basement and the only color I currently like is the basement color. The kitchen has a brown laminate(looks granite) with white tile fllor, white cabinets, and white backsplash. I want something that will bring color to the room but don’t want anything too loud or bold. Any suggestions? The living room(which is opposite the kitchen has dark hardwood floors. I am thinking of dark/slate grey microfiber furnitre, but not sure what to use on the walls or for a throw rug. The room is not very bid so I don’t want to make it too dark. Any suggestions. The hallway leads off the kttchen and living room so I would want to bring one of the colors down the hallway.
Very Much Appreciated!!
Hi Julie,
Try Ben Moore’s Buttermilk (919) in the kitchen to warm it up (also down the hallway) and then Gentle Gray (1626) — a soft light blue — in your family room. Both will look good with the dark woods.
-Barbara
Your Home & Color Coach
Hi Barbara–
My husband and I have just about had enough of paint samples and tools on the internet that are suppose to help you pick the “perfect” paint color for your house–We have given up!!! All I can say is thank god I found you–I would love to send you a picture and get your opinion–Because we will take it!! Thanks so much for your time and I will wait to hear from you!! Thanks again we are very, very excited!!!
Hey, Barbara
Me and my husband have just purchased a home! I am not crazy about the color of vinyl siding but for now we are going to work with it till we have to replace it. The vinyl is a light shade of blue. The previous owner never put any shutters on it. Do you have any suggestions on the color of shutters you would use? I have seen a lot of homes around that have white, but I am wanting something that stands out a little bit more than white. Our house sits on 3 acres and is far off the road. What color would you recommend with light blue siding?
Hi Heather,
If you have white trim, black shutters will dress up the house and add some contrast with the light blue siding. Another option is navy blue.
-Barbara
Your Home & Color Coach
Thanks! It looks great with black shutters
Dear Barbara,
Amazing! I Googled ‘what color with a green roof,’ and there you are! I’m stuck on a color scheme for our 1920 Craftsman one and a half storey bungalow with all the trimmings: corbels, rafter tails, wide window casings, etc. We have a new green shingle roof (and a lot of it-steep sloped) and, the problem child: red brick skirt and chimney and very red at that! I’ve seen advice about pulling out a lighter green color with creamy white trim. But my interior colors are browns, golds, dark green and brown reds. If I pick too neutral a green it will clash with the roof. What about a burnt gold color on the siding? Any help you can give will be much appreciated. I can send photos. Your blog is wonderful!
Hi Kathy,
Think Autumn for your exterior color scheme (sounds like you already have them inside too!). I think a burnt gold will look spectacular with your green roof and brick. Cream trim will tie the whole palette together. You can add more of the red brick color in accent areas (or pull the green down from the roof — either way).
Enjoy!
-Barbara
Your Home & Color Coach
Hi Barbara,
My husband and I have a cute one-story bungalow that was rendered not-so-cute by a very pesky tree situation (see picture below). We are currently in the process of renovating the house and are taking the opportunity to add on a front porch. I love the color that our house was prior to the incident and plan on repainting it the same color (I believe it is Anchor Gray, Benjamin Moore). I liked the black shutters as well and we had a red door that I really liked. I’m having a hard time deciding on a brick color for the columns for the new front porch (the design is also on the link below). Do you have any suggestions the would go with my current color scheme? We will also have a chimney that will be the same color brick that we choose. I can’t decide on plain red brick, painted brick, or some other fancy brick color. Any suggestions?
http://picasaweb.google.com/melroseb/House?feat=directlink
Thanks,
Melanie Backer
Hi Melanie,
I checked out http://www.glengerybrick.com for some color ideas and really liked both the burgundy bricks (Merlot Full Range and Danbury) as well as the “white” bricks, some with purple undertones (Staplehill, Devon, Waverly, and Lorraine White). If you have white trim and a red door planned, I think I would opt for one of the burgundy bricks that would tie in the house color and the door color and really look sharp against the white.
Hope that helps.
-Barbara
Your Home & Color Coach
Hi, Barbara!
What a great site you have!
I’ve sent you an email picture of my house. Here’s my questions:
We want to repaint our house and are unsure of what colour to choose. As you can see, the brick is tan and we’re having trouble coming up with a colour to go with it. What would you suggest? The roof shingles are green and the ends and the back of the house are white colour-lock siding which we plan to paint the same colour as the front. Also, what colour would you suggest for the front door (now green) and the garage door?
Thanks in advance!
Laura Matheson
Hi Laura,
I suggest sticking to earth tones for the paint on your house to blend in
with the brick a bit more and make the house more unified and bigger.
Right now it’s a bit chopped up. Have a look at the taupes and tans in the
Ben Moore Historical Color section — any of those rich neutrals would
look good on your house. Then you can use a couple of shades lighter or
darker for the trim. (White will also work.)
Hope that helps.
-Barbara
Your Home & Color Coach
Hi Barbara,
I am building a new home and plan to use Hardie Board plank siding. I am leaning towards a traditional look: heathered moss (green type color), white window trim and white alum clad windows.
However, I am drawn to the idea of using dark bronze or black alum clad windows. I don’t think it will look right though to have dark windows, white trim and heathered moss.
You can see the facade here and my dilemma: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/GuSDzD-XJQ9CbvIXwjKfxA?authkey=Gv1sRgCJ6O9dGKqv6WvwE&feat=directlink
Would love your thoughts. THanks,
Garret
Hi Garret,
I love the idea of dark bronze windows on your house. Cream trim (instead of white) would be a nice bridge between the windows and the house color. A little less stark of a contrast. But the bronze tied into the roof and metal colors (lights, etc) would be spectacular! Go for it.
-Barbara
Your Home & Color Coach
Hi Barbara,
Again, you have great ideas and suggestions maybe you can help me with my “yellow house” dilemma. We just moved back to my childhood home and need to update it. We live in San Diego and the home has a red tile roof and a horrible yellow mustard color all over ! The garage doors are a taupey color with a stamped concrete driveway with a reddish terracotta color along with a brick facade of the same reddish color. I have sent you a picture maybe it would better describe it, I want to get away from the mustard and update my beloved house.
Thank you for any suggestions
Kelly G
Hi Kelly G,
The photo didn’t come through, but I think I get the picture anyway. I would bring your house color down to a sand color to feature the red tile roof and the other red accents. Check out Ben Moore’s Yosemite Sand AC-4 and see if that calms the house down just a touch.
-Barbara
Your Home & Color Coach
Hi Barbara. I have a contemporary house now stained a rust/brown color. I’m desparate for a change. I finally settled on a sagey green stain with white trim and black doors. I have many shrubs and trees and am concerned that a green house might get lost with all the natural green shrubery, etc. Is is true that I might just blend into the background? Our painter comes next week and now I’m not sure what to do. I’m definitely looking for the house to be noticed from the street….it is set back about 100 feet from the street. I’d appreciate your input. Thanks!
Hi Christine,
You’re instincts are correct. Green is probably not THE best color for making a house stand out among all the greenery of the shrubs and trees. Just about any other color will work, though. You might consider a silvery blue (Ben Moore’s Gentle Gray) which is great with nickel accents, white trim, and a vibrant door color — lemon yellow and orange work). Black doors will also work, as will using the house color for trim.
Lots of options, but I would save green for a house you want to blend into its environment.
Hope that helps.
-Barbara
Your Home & Color Coach
I have a 30yr old basic colonial with harvest gold siding. I cannot afford to redo or paint the aluminum the siding at this time but just had the house pressure washed and would like to make a change with shutters and paint the doors. What color shutters and doors (a front door and a side porch door) would you recommend? The trim is white. My roof is new and looks like brownish shake shingles. Thanks!
Hi Pat,
How about Ben Moore’s Gloucester Sage (HC-100)? Or if you’d like something warmer, there’s Georgian Brick (HC-50). See what you think.
-Barbara
Your Home & Color Coach
Hi Barbara,
We just purchased a home built in 1961 that needs updating and I have no sense of color and style! HELP! Could you give me some advice on the outside of the house.
http://www.shorewest.com/vp/ListingServlet?SITE=SHOREW&ScreenID=LISTING_DETAIL_P&EXCEEDLIMIT=null&totalFound=0&cd_MLS=1227681#
Neither my husband nor I like the color of the brick, but we go back and forth on the pros and cons of painting. Do you have any opinions on painting brick?
If we stayed with the brick color would you have any suggestions to help the house not look so drab? I got the feeling from your website that black shutters was best with yellow brick which is what it already has. We do plan on removing the bushes and trees from the front and I’d like to remove the wrought iron. We also will need to be getting a new roof in the next few years – would you suggest staying with a black roof with the yellowish brick? The front doors are currently painted black and need to be replaced, what color would you suggest?
I saw you offer online consultations, do you also do phone consultations? How can I learn more about your fees?
Thank you!
Lauren
Hi Lauren,
I don’t mind your brick color, but it could use some white trim. How about replacing the wrought iron with white square columns. That would really perk up the entryway. Also if the window trim is painted, you could refresh with white trim paint. That again would give the house a fresh feel.
As for the landscaping, a variety of colors and shapes will modernize the foundation plantings. Right now everything is the same height and color. A big pot of flowers on the front step, and you’re good. I don’t mind the black doors although they’re really black up on the porch (in the shadow). Maybe you could leave the black storm door and paint the inner door a warmer color (Georgian Brick might work — Ben Moore).
See what you think.
Yes, I do online consultations — they’re easier than arranging a specific time to be on the phone. But not impossible, of course. Most people prefer to make a donation (through the blog) — but we can discuss via email (off the blog). bmeglis@yahoo.com (the most reliable for photos)
Thanks for your interest. Hope I’ve helped.
-Barbara
Your Home & Color Coach
Thank you so much Barbara!! One thing I wanted to clarify. If the trim was painted white, would the shutters also be white?
Lauren
Hi Barbara,
I re-painted my guest bedroom (90 sq ft) and bathroom (48 sq ft). The ceiling are 8 ft. There is a private entrance to the bathroom from the guest bedroom. My walls and ceiling have the same medium “knock-down” texture. There is crown moulding in bedroom. All trim is painted in a high gloss white. I painted the bathroom walls and ceiling a taupe color in a satin finish. I painted the bedroom walls the taupe color but left the ceiling with the original paint job. The bedroom ceiling is painted a weathered sandstone flat paint (two shades lighter).
I am doubting my decision regarding the bedroom ceiling color and flat finish choices. I would appreciate your input. Thanks!
Hi Cherrie,
It is perfectly natural to paint the ceiling a flat finish unless there is no light in the room and you need to reflect more from the ceiling. But I think what you’re seeing is the contrast between your newly painted bathroom ceiling (in satin and a darker tone) and the bedroom ceiling (in flat with two tones lighter). You can certainly paint the bedroom ceiling something completely different and match the finish with the bathroom, but it’s okay to use a flat finish on the ceiling in the bedroom. We often use more washable paint finishes in the bathroom anyway so I would leave the bathroom ceiling as is. Not quite sure what else to tell you. It’s just paint so keep at it until you love the finished product.
Good luck. Your color choices are nice!
-Barbara
Your Home & Color Coach
Barbara,
Long time lurker, first time poster here…
We are prepping our house to sell in a few months, and we are about to start the exterior work. I am trying to find some coordinating colors for everything but the door (we love the navy/blueberry, and since I painted it, I’m biased lol).
My idea is to continue the blue on the shutters (we plan to add shutters to the large front window), use a light creamy yellow for the garage door/wall/eaves/soffits/fascia and white for the window and door trim.
Please help/fix me!
Hi Lisa,
I love your plan. The only slight change I would suggest is painting the window trim on the little paladian window in the front door the same color as the door, that gorgeous blueberry. That way, people will not focus on the little window, but rather on the door itself and the color. That’s it. Good luck selling your house.
-Barbara
Your Home & Color Coach
Thank you very much for the response! We are in the process of painting it now, and I will send you some after-shots to let you see how it played out.
Interesting that you suggest that about the front door. I originally did paint the entire door blueberry, but my husband insists that the door looks “better” with that white window. He also wants me to go back and paint the edges of the panels white. I think it will make the door fancier than is appropriate for the style of house.
Hi Barbara,
Just moved my questions to the appropriate section. So happy to have found this site! I need some serious help with changing our house color. Unfortunately, I chose a bright blue with a darker blue trim on a Victorian when I was 8 months pregnant (and that was 6 years ago). Our 1880 house has a lovely garden and looks very nice and updated on the inside but the outside is not subtle…especially in our historic neighborhood (ps my husband loves it). We live in Newton, MA and I was hoping you could contact me about setting up and appointment. Thank you very much! Rebecca
Hi Barbara,
I like the idea of buttermilk in the kitchen with the brown and countertops and white everything else. I have know decided against the blue grey furniture in the living room and am leading towards a color called thistel which takes on a light sage color in the light but a tan shade without light. Suggestions for wall colors in the living room?
Thanks,
Julie
Before posting a comment,
+++PLEASE READ LATEST POST+++
AUGUST 29th, for changes to blog
Hey Color Coach,
I will be replacing the roof and painting the siding on a duplex I just purchased and am a little stumped.
I’m trying to go for cute/inviting/homie and would like to go with a roof color that is called “Shasta White” (http://roofing.owenscorning.com/professional/shingles/classic.aspx) because there is a tax credit available for it and because hopefully it can help with the energy efficiency as I’m in Dallas Texas and our summers can get pretty hot. I will also be putting in a front porch with the same shingles on top of that as well.
I found a house nearby that has a nice look to it that I’m thinking about mimicking which has a light grey roof (which I think shasta white could sub in for), and a great color for the trim; but, the grey siding looks a little institutional so I’m trying to find some ideas on a siding color that is more “earthy” and inviting, that also matches with the brick.
I have pictures of both my duplex as well as the “model” duplex at kodak gallery -( http://www.kodakgallery.com/gallery/creativeapps/slideShow/Main.jsp?token=666416910310%3A1714884470). The entire building is going to be updated with color, and I’m thinking the inside is going to be light colored (maybe a litte butter color with white trim).
Thanks in advance for your help.
Patrick
Hi Patrick,
I’m giving you four colors from the Ben Moore Historical Collection. Since you have white trim (and a white roof), I tend to lean toward the medium tones like Shelburne Buff (HC-28) and the slightly more khaki Yorkshire Tan (HC-23) to coordinate with your brick and balance the house in terms of color “value.” However, since you live in Dallas, you might rather go with a lighter tone, something like the warmer Monroe Bisque (HC-26) or the cooler, grayer Shaker Beige (HC-45). If you want me to just zero in and pick one, let me know. But I thought you should see a few options — you’ll like some more than others.
Hope that helps.
-Barbara
Your Home & Color Coach
Hi Barbara
Im in the process of buying my parents home but can’t move in until the renters move out. So while I have some time on my hands I’ve been trying to come up with some color ideas for the front door and vinyl siding, but I’m stumped. The home is curently part brick and white vinyl siding (see link below). The room that is to the left of the picture used to be a porch that has been closed in. It is painted white. I do not like the color white, so my question to you is what colors would go with the brick. I need a color for the front door and a color for the vinyl siding. Should I paint the enclosed porch or add siding to it also? Thanks in advance for any suggestions you have. I have included a link to a picture of the house and also a close up of the brick color.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/44506876@N03/4093275896/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/44506876@N03/4092510907/in/photostream/
Thanks
Tonya
Hi Tonya,
Congratulations on your (almost) new house! The brick is a very pretty burgundy but you’re right, the white just doesn’t help the overall look. You have a couple of options: 1) if you’re painting the vinyl siding, you might consider unifying the house with a red from your brick, something like Ben Moore’s Garrison Red (HC-66). Making the whole house red will make it look less chopped up and bigger. Keep the white trim since you have white storm doors and windows and consider painting the two front doors a dark purpley burgundy like Townsend Harbor Brown (HC-64). That combination, although monochromatic, will look terrific with your roof color.
OR if you plan to put on new vinyl siding, you can go with a taupey gray, almost the color of your grout. I would definitely stick with the dark burgundy for the door color and white for the trim. Although the house will look a little divided still, the warmer medium tone will blend better than the stark white and pull the whole house together. You can certainly use taupe as a paint color for the vinyl instead of the red, but I probably wouldn’t put red vinyl on the house — you’ll never get it to match the brick.
Hope that helps you get started. Good luck with the move-in.
-Barbara
Your Home & Color Coach
Hi Barbara! I need some help (or assurance) for a few exterior areas and general curb appeal help. I just took some pictures — may I email them to you as attachments?
We live in a 1947 red brick home. I think it’s colonial but not a very traditional kind — I’ve never seen another house the same shape. In my opinion, it has a touch of tudor and a touch of cottage. The brick is a straight red brick without color variation. We need to keep the shingled roof, which is a myriad of colors (red, brown, tan, black and blue-gray flecks). Most of the trim is covered by a gray metal covering, which stays. We have black shutters and a black front storm door (which is mostly a pane of glass).
So my questions are as follows:
1) What color front door? Right now it’s a navy blue. I’m not totally against it, but the problem is in the evening when the sun’s behind the house, it’s impossible to see — just looks like a black hole. So I either need assurance that it actually looks fine, or another idea.
2) Not all of the trim is covered by the gray metal. There is metal covering the far outer perimeter of the windows, but the windows themselves are still white. Should I leave them white or paint them gray or another color? This also goes for the front door frame. Surrounding the black storm door is old beat-down wood painted white. So should I go with gray or black?
3) What color should I paint the side door and walk-in garage door opposite it (both now creamy white)?
4) I’m about to buy a storm door for the side door. What color?
5) The concrete breezeway connecting the side door and garage is messy looking. I’d like to paint it. Should I go with gray? And also for the front concrete steps — gray or another color?
6) There are decorative wrought-iron pillars on the front porch. Right now they’re rusted and white. Should I go gray or black?
7) What color flowers do you suggest?
9) Finally, the lights on either side of the front door are very old and no longer work. I’m not sure what style and color of new lights to buy. Can you suggest any?
10) Do you have any other suggestions that will enhance the curb appeal? I already have a professional landscaping design laid out — but anything else regarding hardware or lighting or window decorations or whatever? We need to rip up the brick path leading to the front door. Any suggestions on what materials to use instead? We’re thinking plain concrete would be easiest.
As you can tell, my husband and I are very lost when it comes to all of this. I also need some interior help, so I’m about to post my questions in another section too!
Thank you so much for your help! If I asked more than I paid for, just let me know!
Take care,
Jo
Hi Jo,
Thanks for your detailed note. I’ll try to answer all the questions and hope I touch on everything.
1) As for your front door, I suggest a dark brick like Ben Moore’s Georgian Brick (HC- 50) which will warm up the entry (instead of the blue) and look very nice with the gray trim and black storm door. There’s just enough separation between the brick and door to make it work.
2) As for the white windows and other areas painted white. I like the contrast, but you might consider a slightly grayer white, like China White, which will look a little softer around the windows and the front door frame. Also there seems to be a band of white along the porch roof line. Is that a gutter (I see the downspout). I would paint that gray like the trim along the fascia.
3,
For the side and garage doors, you might paint the side door the Georgian Brick since you cannot see it from the front and there will be no confusion as to which door is the front. The garage door (actually both side and large front garage doors) might be a beefed up version of what’s there now, almost the same as your overall roof color. Have a look at Briarwood (Ben Moore Exterior Color) and see
how that looks with the gray trim. If there’s enough of a difference, it will work. If it looks like it’s trying to match, then forget it. The Briarwood is a warm, taupey gray. Very sophisticated.
4) I would stick with black for your storm door again. Consistency is good.
5,6) As for the concrete breezeway and front steps, I suggest replacing the wrought-iron pillars with square, china white, wooden pillars and do the same over in the breezeway. I noticed a pressure-treated wood railing. That could be replaced with a china white rail as well. (Not sure if you’re planning that much renovation, but wanted to give you that idea anyway.) Replacing the white metal on the front step area will make a HUGE change. Very updated. As for the color of the concrete, it doesn’t bother me at all. I like natural concrete color and it doesn’t peel!
7) For flowers, I suggest whites, creams, yellows, and reds. (actually almost anything except purply pink as you have a lot of orange in your brick)
9) I like the black wrought iron as it goes well with your shutters, but they’re a little small. Even the ones on the garage could stand to be a bit larger. Black/nickel/pewter — or a combination — will look terrific. The style is traditional (not modern or mission).
10) You might consider flagstone instead of concrete (expensive, I know), but it would pick up on the grays in your color scheme and look a little dressier than straight concrete since you have that on your porches already.
If I think of anything else when I’m looking at your next question, I’ll add it there. I think this will get you started.
Thanks, Jo. Good luck with your project! I’ll answer your other question by tomorrow morning. I’ve lost all my natural light!
-Barbara
Your Home & Color Coach
Thank you SO MUCH Barbara! You can’t imagine how much of a help this is! I’ve been known to repaint areas 3-4 times because I can never get the right color on the first try.
I’m going to run out and get those colors tomorrow and will send you after pics asap.
Also, I just looked up shutters and found that they aren’t as expensive as I thought, so I might be able to replace them. What do you think — stick with the black, or try another color or style?
Thanks again,
jo ellen
Hi Barbara! Here goes my second question:
I’m lost on what to do with our foyer/hallway (please see pics I’m sending to your email). Right now there’s no color coordination at all. We have off white (creamy) walls, mostly white trim – but the moulding on top is a soft blue green color – and a darker blue front door (no lites). The ceiling is white, floors are wide pine boards stained light walnut. The stain is uneven so I’d love to cover it. The closet and bathroom doors are oak colored, but the bedroom door that leads off the hall is white. Then, there’s the stairway: oak treads, with very soft blue rises and balusters, and white stringer. The handrail is painted a dark wood brown color (looks like a blend of mahogany and espresso).
So we definitely need some coordination.
I already sought help from another color consultant. She recommended I either keep the off white walls but paint the trim and front door black and ceiling red, or paint the walls an orange-red with a red ceiling and white trim and door. She didn’t say anything about the stairway. I have experience refinishing floors, so I could refinish the stairway, though I also have a 9-month old son so I’m looking for the easiest fix.
I’m terrified to paint the trim black, and our front door might just look gothic instead of cozy when it’s black. I’m also not so sure of the orange-red (my sister once painted her bedroom this color and my dad called it “orange barf.”)
If you think one of those suggestions would look great, I’ll have the guts to go for it. If you have another more traditional suggestion, I’m all for it! I could also use suggestions on how to decorate the hall. If you think frames, what color? Any ideas for an entryway rug?
Finally, the dining room next to the hall has white trim, sage walls and gray-blue and red accents. Across the way is our living room, which has gray-blue furniture and will be repainted (color tbd).
Thank you again!
jo ellen
Hi Jo Ellen,
Sometimes, it’s good to take a deep breath and just do nothing! Or at least get another opinion. Here’s my advice.
Your wood floors are wonderful. If you spend any money at all, I would focus on the floors and get them in tip-top shape. The front door area looks fine, but I can see what you mean about the uneven staining back by the bedroom door. It’s not terrible though.
Now, as for your walls and trim, I like the light wall color in that foyer/hallway area. Adding too rich a color on the walls will only make it seem like a cave since there’s very little natural light. You can certainly bump up the shade a notch if you’d like a little more warmth, but frankly, I like it the way it is now. But, I would change all your trim, including the crown moulding and the balusters, to white. The light blue just gets lost. Keep the bedroom door white and if you can replace that other door from a hollow-core door to a raised panel (like the bedroom) that will unify the area. Paint that door white too. If the ceiling is a confined space, you can paint the ceiling the same color as the walls. It will look nice with the white crown moulding going along the edge. But a white ceiling bounces available light around the space so there’s nothing wrong with a white ceiling especially in an area with minimal light.
To add color, I suggest painting the back of the front door Georgian Brick (same as the front if that turns out to be the right color). The red door on the inside will be a real focal point and bring you the color you need in that area. Then find a rug for the entryway that has both red and sage and other neutrals in it — not hard to find. That will pull together your dining room and the foyer. (Add some red accents to the living room too!) Add framed artwork or photos to the walls along the hallways, keeping similar colored frames for unity or mixing them all up for a more homey, country feel.
As you can see, my ideas are way more traditional, but I think they will work well for your traditional-looking home. Black trim can work in some houses, but it’s ultra-dramatic and you really have to be ready for the contrast. Not sure it’s best for your more delicate palette. And I would reserve the orange-red for perhaps a small half bath that can take a lot of saturated color in a small space. Anything goes in a guest bathroom…
I hope that helps.
Thank you again for visiting my blog. Let me know if I can help you further.
-Barbara
Your Home & Color Coach
Great eye, Barbara! I’ve honestly been happier with our house since acting on your advice than I’ve been since we moved in. I love love love the door color! There have been times that I considered a red shade, but then thought it wouldn’t work with our brick. But it works perfectly! My husband is out of town with the camera, so I’ll send pics as soon as I can (and I can’t wait for him to see it!).
Also, as you advised, I used the Georgian Brick on the inside, too, and am delighted. I always liked the idea of a simple off-white wall color in the hall, but was discouraged because I couldn’t figure out what to do with the door. It didn’t seem to work with the walls no matter what color I painted it — but this color does the trick! Now I like the door, the walls, and the staircase is even looking better even though I haven’t touched it yet!
So with all this happiness, and a few things left to do at home, I’m hoping to stick around here a bit longer. Actually, do you offer decorating-related advice? Right now, my family and I are eating everywhere /but/ the dining room. Could you help me identify which wall color, window treatments, and light fixture/s would pull it together (on a budget)? I had a plan, but in the middle of executing it, realized it wouldn’t work.
I have no experience decorating anything and could really use your help! Please let me know if you do this on-line and if so, what you charge. Since this room really pulls the house together, I’m more than willing to pay more to get it right.
Thanks again,
jo ellen
p.s. Did you receive the second payment? It should have gone through long before I posted, but let me know if you didn’t see anything.
Hi Lisa,
See if you can hold out for the whole door being blue. I see the patchwork quilt paint technique a lot, but I have to tell you, it’s not the most tasteful. Nothing personal to your beloved husband. The idea around the door is to see the whole door and not just the little details. Just too much.
Good luck.
-Barbara
Your Home & Color Coach
Hi Jo,
So glad you like the changes so far! Thanks for the kudos!
I am happy to work with you on a more detailed project and offer my services at a flat rate that includes all the back-and-forth questions that you might have about the room itself and my specific suggestions. I’ll also spend more time looking at your photos and giving you actual paint colors and suggestions for coordinating your room with the rest of the house. I’ll email you so we can make arrangements to continue working together.
Thanks again.
-Barbara
Your Home & Color Coach