The classic combination of white red and slate grey is timeless. Go a red roof. White House and slate grey trim. It never dates and looks timeless. But I suggest you look at other wooden houses as you drive around and pick the ones you like a take a picture. Soon a pattern will develop and you will see the colors you really like after all it is you that has to drive up to it each day

What the....?

This house is gorgeous. I feel that adding shutters might look a little "twee". I like the idea of charcoal and off white - not bright white. Red could look great, but there is red and then there is RED! Choosing the right one can be tricky. Actually I love the way it looks in the photo! I'd love to see a pic when it's done.

I have a friend who owns a (more modern) log cabin, and in observing their restoration, some things have become obvious: staining things to match doesn't work. Log cabins require a lot of surface treatments to prevent deterioration, but be careful of glossy finishes; it cheapens the look.

There is a metal roof color called "Antique Bronze" that is beautiful, but a red one may be more appropriate for this building.

Do some online research on restored vintage log houses for a decision on color and shutters. There's even a magazine devoted to log cabin-owners. Since it's on the historical register, you are limited to certain colors, although I'm sure there's a shade of red that is acceptable. Good luck! You've bitten off a huge project. Love to see photos of the final result.

I have already checked with the historical register and there is no problem there. Thanks for all the advice.i really do not want a red or a forest green roof that is just a little to common for us. we have also considered a roofing material mad by certainteed that mimics a slate roof

boydplace, I've seen those Certainteed shingles that look like slate. Make sure you see them in person before deciding. I love the idea of a tin roof for your house, but remember, they are noisy in the rain. This is just a gorgeous home. Be sure to post before and after photos of exterior and interior.

If this home is on the historic register, I have a friend who is a restoration specialist and who restored our 1840's cabin after moving it from KY on two flatbed trucks. His own historic registered home is over the ridge from our cabin (not registered) and he has done restoration for the historic state capitol site and many others around the US. If you are interested in this kind of experienced input, let me know and I'll put you in touch.

Love, love , love your house. I think it's important to stay true to materials that would have been used at the time of original construction. The chinking is wonderful and does the job to show the full of character of the logs so the cream colour needs to stay. I would not cover one inch of log or chinking with a shutter and as much as I love board and batten, again I wouldn't introduce the vertical line. Maybe the gables in cranberry shakes. The cranberry is nice to accent the windows and perhaps the handrail could be cranberry as well or other elements of the porch. I assume your keeping the same style of window. I'm no fan of a tin roof let alone the horrible red ones, they should be banned just for looking so disgusting. The only suggestion I have for the roof would be a wooden shake. Good luck to you, do post more pics to keep us all updated.

Here's one that was restored that houzz recently featured:
[houzz=]

This is a wooden house which was bulit in the end of a Jungle for a Country Retreat

I like your idea of bronze tin roof,It think the colors,creme & cranberry should both be used cranberry timber shutters & cream window trim,I do think you need two large windows on top in place of the four,for view.Log Cabin Walls should be a light to med log-cabin brown & Creme Porch railings.

Shutters are a must for this old home. A nice rust color to accent the green. Don't go to wild in color picking if you are trying to be historical. They didn't have bright colors in this time period.

the house itself is beautiful, but does need something. a different roof is definately needed don't know much about roofs..also putting shutters on the windows would help.make them the same color as the porch rails and the front door. it looks kind of bare. repainting the porch and the front door would make a lot of difference. either white or cream. also the steps. it needs a lot of curb appeal also. that big clump of bushes are an eyesore and plant flowers up by the porch.

Use old tin roof, "Barn Red" for accent trim and an creamy white windows,(more to the buttery color. You could use a real light brown (tan) on the windows.

Wow, what a cool building! If your house is on the National Register, you can qualify for a Federal tax credit plus state credits if you follow rehab guidelines--no vinyl windows, not adding shutters unless they are documented, not using vinyl or anything other than wood.

You are not required to do so, but there is a lot of good information there on how to do so, and it will help maintain the integrety and value of the house in a way modern materials do not, and can look dated quickly. You have to go through your state historic preservation office and get changes approved before you do them. Most states have a preliminary approval process, but it can take awhile. Getting late in the year for major work anyway.

Look under National Register of Historic Buildings and State Historical Office (SHO) and tax credits to find out more. If you are in a historic district, the local government may have its own regulations for exterior changes.

Just paint is not as critical--that can change, but adding buildings, additions, major interior changes and so forth all need to be submitted to make sure you are within guidelines. It is a hassle, but you could save a lot of money that will allow you to afford better materials, and upgrades to heating and such can be included. Cosemetic stuff like landscaping, flooring and plaster are not covered, unless it is a structural repair.

Traditional colors would be best--oxblood is kind of a dark red that it looks like is on your window frames.Old whites were not white but sort of a yellow or tan-white. Other colors, like mustard, Prussian Blue, red-brown, were muted. White-white wasn't invented until around 1940 or so.

A standing seam tin roof would be appropiate probably--looks like you already have one. Not sure what colors were used back then, but they were painted to keep them from rusting. I think dark red, brown and green were quite common, but you would need to research that for your area.

Once you change original materials and detailling you can lose eligibility and listing status.

We live in the mountains of North Carolina and log homes are plentiful. Try this real estate link, looking at some of the listings just might give you some ideas: http://www.ashecountyrealestate.com/log-homes-for-sale-in-north-carolina.html#properties
We just recently used Anderson A-series windows in Red - I love them. (see attached pic) A cedar roof would be wonderful, more expensive then the norm but if you take care of it properly it can go on and on and on. You're project looks so exciting. Please keep us posted with your final choices. I'm sure that whatever you decide will look wonderful because after all, you had the creativity to buy this home.

what a treasure you have! you should consider documenting your restoration, and maybe even writing a blog. This is definately outside of my wheelhouse, so no ideas/advice from me - just compliments!

I'll give you some advice that you didn't ask for ...The place has a a kind of haunted house feel about it.Before you do any renovations have either a house "blessing", Native American smudging, or some type of vibration raising ceremony on the inside going from room to room. I suspect with the age of this place a lot has happened here long before you have purchased it.
In terms of renovating, it depends on whether you want to accurately keep the historic look or transition it into something a bit more modern looking. If it were my house I'd tear the porch down and build a larger one more forward into the yard. If budget is a concern skip that but obviously make sure the porch can withstand the weight of folks walking & sitting on it etc. The cranberry trim color is fairly predictable looking so if you're looking to modernize either cream or gray would look better. I assume you're planning to put new windows in upstairs? It's hard to tell from the photos if the windows are boarded up with wood or just have shades.To be slightly less traditional you might avoid windows with window panes and go with something more simple but framed out in vinyl white. I'm no expert on roofing but a gray colored( whatever material you choose) would look nice. Have you thought about a copper weather vane on top such as a rooster, horse or flying pig? The front door color and trim would also look new & fresh repainted in a cream color. Whatever you can do to make the house look warm & welcoming ( including simple things such as a wreath on the door) and some new landscaping,( pine trees and a red maple for the front) will help.

Shutters would never go with a log house. Cranberry around the windows is great, cream not so. Everything will depend on your landscaping. On your porch, antique rocking chairs will work.

I think shutters would look great as long as they are not the more modern split down the middle style. I'm thinking the kind that that are on one side and cover the whole window. I think a native plant garden would look great for the landscaping. If you like the usda site has a lot of info for your temp zone. That home has been there a looong time why muck it up with a modern look. Go age appropriate or go home! Have fun :D

Lucky guy. A former tavern no less! Ck out Williamsburg and their gardens, buy used books about Williamsburg from Amazon will help with ideas, direction! Of course, you want to lift the current bit of a moody impression of the house. As a former real estate agent I've been around many low energy houses. Houses speak to people. Saging is a great idea. Just buy sage spray, spray every room, or buy dry bundle of sage, light it, blow out flame, let it smolder, take it to "smoke" every room, smells great like incense. Find on Amazon. Do it several times throughout rehab process, especially before sleeping there if you're afraid of all the bar fights that went bad, but it was a place of laughter so don't re-conceive negative energy. But if you want to start fresh, saging cleans out energies so yours can permeate and establish a home. Since it was a former tavern, play on that theme, hang a former tavern sign on a post again with your house number. Maybe at the curb have a small horse tie up rail. That would be a hoot. "Good vibrations!"

But saging isn't going to change the current curb message. You're working on that message. A former tavern has a male energy. Use very light paint colors and tiny accent colors in window trim, door, maybe window boxes too, and carry accent and complimentary colors into garden.. I'd suggest to lift current impression with "positive energy" color choices. As the eye finds the happy mood-altering accent colors it creates a happy feeling.

Silly, but I like the color of the plywood! Cranberry is too cliche. If you want a male "strong"energy, see Williamsburg trim colors. For a female light nurturing energy, consider accents of energized but period blues, Lavendars, yellows, oranges, garden-like colors, no heavy colors anywhere. A deep foundational wildflower garden would help, lilac, hydrangeas, small evergreens for winter gardening foundational plants, old roses. You need a deep curved garden along railing, It's far too shallow. Moving the walkway is easy. If brick, keep brick and re-use. Porch is fine. Hope it's deep enough.

Shutters maybe but entire second story would be full of shuuters. Tricky. It does need something. The right shutter could work. Two long Window boxes, especially. Leave center window without. Look at balance from curb. The yard needs curves in beds and walkways, round plants to decrease the linear lines.

How do you want the house to make you feel everyday?

Be a beacon in the winter, not a cave. Keep roof color close in energy tone to the light body of house if roof color gives off light, and doesn't suck up light. A dark roof color can negatively ground house too much, creating an oppressive vibe. Drive around and look at roof colors and the feelings that creates for you.

A light Bronze roof could be beautiful as long as it reflects lightness, brightness, joy. Why not match the chinking color since it dominates anyway for main body color, otherwise with a heavy dark accent peak color, you cap the energy and re-create the heavy mood all over again. I see a light color there. No board and batten. Never a cedar roof for fire or insurance, future buyer reasons. Savvy buyers run from cedar roofs. Metal is great idea and a forever roof, expensive but worth it. Always keep re-sale in mind. Always.

The mass of the logs is where the heaviness comes from. Everything else you have control over. I see real cooper accents, etc as suggested would be fun, lovely and intriguing. If cooper is your choice what colors compliment copper? Cool blues, lavendar, light greens, garden colors. Or male; royals, navy, evergreens. Think revolutionary war uniform colors that had gold accents. Cooper roof is a great color either way.

Might sound silly to some, but what do you think the house wants?

Revitalizing and reflective, Happy energy or heavy, aged, 'I don't want you to visit me,' energy? Whatever is your energy now will be reflected in the color message you choose and send. It spoke to you, touched your heart just revitalize it with life! Colors have psychological messages, look that up. Have fun keep the eminating energy and your energy "need" in mind.

Mt. Vernon has cranberry and other accents if you are stuck on very light cream and cranberry. I love Mt. Vernon! The Canadian HGTV? designer Sarah something (also has website) redesigned/rebuilt, added on, to her own needed major TLC farmhouse. Very cute interiors. Was neutral about her exterior color choices, but they were not cliche. Hers was not a log home, either. Check her out. Love her ideas.

P.S. resell of a log home can be hard, but area specific. Even in rural Pacific NW it is still a "special" circumstance home loan. Buyers have to get special loan, larger down. MIght be different in your area, I'm sure. Ck that out , if you haven't bought it yet, you MUST have an inspector inspect BEFORE you buy. No vinyl windows. Great modern, but period wooden double paned windows do exist. Ck out codes. I once heard inspector drove by as owner was replacing windows with "not to local code" windows and had to redo and replace all. Nasty inspector. Be absolutely and remain anonymous if you're going to call city, trust me. Good seasoned agents are full of great advise and area knowledge. You have great advice and support here. Sorry I went on and on. I'm a color psychology designer at heart. Color and mood are huge and simply, everything. What fun! Please keep us posted! Good luck.

What a fascinating project. Take a look at this modern Colorado ranch house that used corrugated metal very effectively as roofing and exterior material and aged barn wood for siding. I also like the Sutter line of period lighting from California Lantern.

Before you redo the roof, see if raising it a few inches or a foot would make the second story more livable. It's not clear from the photo if the second floor rooms have sloped ceilings. If the second story rooms' ceiling are basically the bottom of the roof, then a metal roof will be very noisy during rain. When the roofers remove the old roof, have them cover the interior attic space to keep it clean or ask them to remove any useless old loose-fill insulation at the same time. You can replace the insulation with paper-covered fiberglass batts which are much easier to move for electrical wiring or dead-critter removal.

Each major paint company has an historical color collection. Some have pre-coordinated color schemes. My advice is to keep the porch trim a light color and to make sure the place looks cheerful and welcoming rather than dark and gloomy. You'll need to bring electrical wiring up to modern standards, but be sure to add outside outlets on the porch for seasonal lighting and fans.

Dormers would be more economical and historical appropiate way to increase usable space upstairs, esp. on the rear facade. Be very careful what you do--even if not totally faithful to its history, stay true to the spirit.

http://pinterest.com/margiebarnett/of-log-and-stone/

You are so lucky to have a home like this! Treat it with TLC, where is the home located?

Color is bad. Shutters are worse. Go for the tin look roof. Too bad, you probably cannot remove the porch railings. This is clearly a case of less is more. Stick to natural colors and materials.

Hey there ~ I was just cleaning out some of my old magazines (yikes 2005 House & Home) and I have attached a scanned image of a home similar to yours and thought this might help with any of your decisions. I'm not in love with the door on this house, but with good landscaping, windows, roof and paint.. gorgeous! The second picture shows the edition on the back of the house in a nice grey tone that compliments the rest of the home.

Front of the house.

I suggest black trim around the windows, and no shutters. Renew the wood walls with wood conditioner and a stain that lets the wood be its awesome self. Natural rustic wood porch railings the same color as the house, but I'd paint the floor of the porch black. I think a slate (or slate-looking) or copper roof would be awesome. This place is beautiful and has such great texture and patina that I don't think you need any fancy color scheme to cheapen it. I'd let your landscaping (wild flowers is a great idea) bring the color.

Wow! what a beautiful place! It has lasted this long, so it is worth taking some time to plan any major changes. The landscaping is already nice--kind of a softer version of traditional colonial terraces to the front door that you find in some Tidewater mansions. Really this place is worth hiring a preservation architect for consultation, and perhaps the trouble of going through the Rehabilitation Tax Credit process.

Here is are some great resource on historic log homes (Preservation Brief 26) http://www.nps.gov/hps/tps/briefs/brief26.htm
http://heritage.ky.gov/nr/rdonlyres/6e2364ab-04e6-44b0-99ad-0fc7c912c1bb/0/pioneerloghouse.pdf

And I would carefully look through the documentation you probably have from the Historic Register application and any past maintenance records and documentation.

Using a preservative needs careful study because it is so old and the logs are so dried out. It probably was originally coated with lime whitewash
http://voices.yahoo.com/tips-whitewashing-walls-paint-recipes-for-1585093.html?cat=30
or clad in clapboard early in its life to protect the logs and to give a more high-styyle appearance. New synthetics may not be appropiate, and would require careful preparation--I would check with the state historic preservation office for advice and consult a very experienced contractor (the state might have lists)

http://fixlogs.com/gall_historic_renovations.htm
http://antiqueamericanlogcabins.com/old-log-cabin-project-slideshow
http://loghomelinks.com/rest1.htm
http://historicorps.org/

Changing color of trim is often not regulated locally, but totally changing the material of the roof would be, and the rear usually has fewer restrictions than the front. I would double-check to make sure since the house probably had cedar, not slate, originally. Changing from a standing seam roof to composite slate-look is a major change--perhaps they thought you were just painting it a slate color.

The rear addition looks very old as well, but perhaps this is the place to add some color if you want, and the front door of course.

Thank you everyone for all the suggestions.they are starting the new roof this week and we have decided on a dark bronze standing seam metal roof. We wanted the slate look one but it wasn't in the budget. We have also order windows in cranberry red. And are painting the trim black. The addition on the back it where the kitchen and master bedroom are going Is either going to be a cranberry red cement board and batton if it's in the budget or natural wood there will be a 12 foot sliding door on the back. Now it's on to designing the kitchen and baths which I prefer to be very modern.

Thank you everyone for all the suggestions.they are starting the new roof this week and we have decided on a dark bronze standing seam metal roof. We wanted the slate look one but it wasn't in the budget. We have also order windows in cranberry red. And are painting the trim black. The addition on the back it where the kitchen and master bedroom are going Is either going to be a cranberry red cement board and batton if it's in the budget or natural wood there will be a 12 foot sliding door on the back. Now it's on to designing the kitchen and baths which I prefer to be very modern.

Awesome, Sounds like you picked great colors. I was thinking black, dark grey for trim as well. I love your idea for modern for the kitchen/baths. I would recommend adding lots of natural materials to go with the exterior of the building. Wood or butcher block, stone/slate, lots of texture. Good luck, i am jealous it looks like an awesome place!

I have an old log house and when I restored it , I had green clad wood windows with wood grids inside and green metal roof, the dark green goes so well with the now preserved logs. I also used chinking paint over the concrete joints.

Update? How did your project turn out.

Yup, that really works with the historic grandeur of the log home :-/~

Ouch.....I know that everyone has their own personal taste but this isn't what I would've chosen for this property. This is so fake looking it's just not appealing at all.

That is a beautiful example of craftsmanship that gives a long lasting impression and a landmark. I would want to keep it as original as possible.