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Design Dilemma
dyasch

exterior house color

13 years ago
Hi, I would like some help with choosing a color for the stucco of our new house at the lake. It is a 2 story house with the second floor of vertical cedar siding. We are not sure to put a transparent or semi-transparent stain color on it or just let it be natural,
So the second part is the main floor which we are putting a smooth acrylic stucco which can be tinted any color I choose. Our shingles are blue. Our trim is white. We want something cottage/country look.
Please help, our stucco will be put on shortly and I have no color choice yet.
Featured Answer
  • 13 years ago
    Dark color such as deep navy to contrast with your blue shingles and a bright front door such as yellow.

    Comments (25)

    • PRO
      13 years ago
      Keep the stucco in earthy tones such as brown.

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    • 13 years ago
      I think if you do not stain the cedar it will weather gray. So I would decide on the staining first. Personally, I would stain it the semi transparent.
      Debbie thanked User
    • 13 years ago
      Benjamin Moore has some great stains in a wide range of colors. I recommend a solid stain for more durability. You could do a blue to go with the roof blue and a light gray on the stucco, the another primary color like a light green on the primary door:
      Tomte Stuga · More Info
      Red would be interesting on the siding, too. See this handsome lake house:
      Lake Superior Residence · More Info
    • 13 years ago
      Paint it fully white it would look amazing...
      Debbie thanked Amrita Vinayak
    • 13 years ago
      I don't know how much of your house will be stucco, but when we vacationed in Italy on the Riviera near Portofino and Genoa there were so many stucco houses in the hills. They use happy colors such as yellows and aquas and pale blues. They are gorgeous with the foliage around. I like a soft yellow with dark green trim and cream windows etc. Then you can hang baskets of flowers on your porch. I have an aversion to the Moroccan salmon stucco common in the western state like Arizona.
    • 13 years ago
      A soft gray-green would be gorgeous!
      https://www.houzz.com/photos/2001-showcase-rustic-exterior-new-york-phvw-vp~66625


      town hall parade · More Info
    • 13 years ago
      I wouldn't let the cedar 'age.' All that is really happening is dirt is accumulating and it takes forever before they have a uniform look. If you like the look and color of aged cedar, I'd stain them that in the first place. I'd vote for a gray blue (depending on the color blue of your shingles). Also love the look of the Tomte Stuga pic above. Gray, as someone suggested, would look good, too. Hope you will let us see your finished project! Good luck...color is so hard to decide on imo.
    • 13 years ago
      a gray blue!
    • 13 years ago
      Thanks for the very helpful information of the cedar taking forever to gray evenly. I don't know too much about cedar and this helps very much.
    • 13 years ago
      Defintely get the 2nd floor cedar siding stained and sealed. That way the color stays under your control. The first floor stucco color to go with the cedar siding of the 2nd floor and the blue roofing...I would go yellow if you feel "beachy," green if you feel "natural," tan if you feel "woodsey."
    • 13 years ago
      Am partial to grey....love red front doors.
    • 13 years ago
      I love the idea of a red front door too. Glad to hear another comment about the door. Thanks
    • 13 years ago
      Roof ,doors, windows and pillars in black. White on all the walls.
    • 13 years ago
      I love these colors for a cottagy look, especially with a blue roof. I read somewhere that if you're using two body colors on a house, use the darker color on the bottom as it grounds the house proportionally. I've done that twice now with houses and do believe its a good rule of thumb. Agree on the shingles, don't let them weather on their own, it becomes unattractive and can be a maintenance issue later.
    • 13 years ago
      Thanks for the advice. I do believe I will have the darker color on the bottom half of the house.
    • 13 years ago
      Good suggestions with paint colour...Greys/ purples/blues are very much in vogue these days....and following the feng shui red door for good luck and prosperity is a bonus.
      You can also pull the colours of the environment, turquoise for a more water look or the colours of the bark or foliage for a woodsy look. Good luck!
    • 13 years ago
      I agree with the person who advised not to naturally age the cedar. If you stain it grey, I would choose a driftwood color (warmer tone) and I would use semi-transparent stain. For the stucco, a warmer tan will set off the blue, whereas I would be concerned that a cooler blue-grey would go to "battleship" when paired with a blue roof and driftwood grey cedar siding.
    • 13 years ago
      I like the idea of semi-transparent stain in a warm driftwood color. I am now thinking a deep blue for the main floor stucco.
    • 13 years ago
      last modified: 13 years ago
      I'd say clear stain the cedar, because I like how the wood looks. Plus once you stain dark or paint, going back to natural is a bitch. Personally I'd go for a concrete grey (with a hint of green in it) and warm bronze-brown doors (or steel-blue to go with the roof?), but I've added some pictures I think will look best, for inspiration.
      Katie Rosenfeld Interiors · More Info

      Ultimate man cave and sports car showcase · More Info

      Front · More Info

      https://www.houzz.com/photos/2001-showcase-rustic-exterior-new-york-phvw-vp~66625

      Rockaway Beach Remodel · More Info
    • 13 years ago
      What color of blue are your shingles? And I'm assuming you mean shingled roof rather than decorative siding type shingle?
    • 13 years ago
      I agree completely with rinqreation!
    • 13 years ago
      I do like green. I think I will definitley go with clear stain for the cedar. I love the look in the previous pictures.
    • 13 years ago
      I would clean stain the cedar, and go for a faux stone that has a pink/blue tint to it.
      Debbie thanked Margaret Kottelenberg
    • 13 years ago
      I vote for the Tomte Stuga color scheme - but then I love blue. Choose your favorite color - greens or blues or ???
      all colors go in and out of style so who cares what is popular right now?
      Debbie thanked nancy22032
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