What color is the foyer? I would go with something that would flow from the outside in. I might keep the body of the house subtle. It is a very big house and you wouldn't want to have to paint the outside over if you tired of it. Maybe paint the shutters and trim more vibrantly.

Keep in mind you have a Greek Revival w/ flat wooden siding (as opposed to clapboard.) When these houses were built the intent was to mimic STONE! Not that you need to be a stickler and try to recreate the original look, but you might want to keep the body of the house some version of a natural stone color (plenty of range in there- and you can "up the chroma" to make it more exciting-if you want.) I would say avoid white & black and the opposite -"painted lady" color schemes. Honor the Greek Revival style. This is not a Victorian!

I agree with Molly Matthews. Talk with the Preservation Center. Perhaps you will be able to find out what the original colors were. You could go with those colors if you like them. Your Preservation Center will probably be very helpful. I am on the city of Green Bay (Wisconsin) Historic Preservation Commission. We love it when property owners ask for our advice and help.

You've pretty much eliminated all color groups other than greens and browns. There are many shades of both. White is stately, but I'm guessing you're going for more than that. Try some samples before taking the plunge. Have fun, the house is a beauty!

love black and white. Less is more-remember that. Maybe the body in DARK gray or dark Navy with white shutters. lots of hydrangeas around porch and in pots- either white or pink.

Judy B

I've always loved this house in Boston - I think the color would work really well for you, and you could pick up accents in black, cream, or lighter purple....

I also am an owner of an older home and kept it simple with just four tones, but my columns and bands and trim are white to contrast the tan, med brown, and red / terra cotta accents. If you live in the Garden District, a very classy neighborhood you may want to keep it in subtle colors mentioned by going with blk or dk green shutters, The French side of town is more colorful. I would stay away from the Mardi Gras colors. I agree with kate cahill above and would honor the home's era. My family was from the GD and owned the Toby Westfeldt house originally, which is now a soft pink. My mother's house is a lively grey with white trim. Best wishes.

Over the top - I would LOVE white... white, white, white, mansion.... Let the inside reflect...

Take advantage of the fact that you live in creative, open-minded NOLA and don't go with the traditional white-grey-taupe colors. You don't have to go as saturated as Marigny style, but use a toned down version of something you love for the exterior and get an artist's advice on trim colors. Definitely keep the light blue porch ceilings and under-eaves -- it's not just tradition, it really DOES keeps mud dauber wasps from nesting there (that's the reason for the tradition). From another proud NOLA antique house owner.

Since you have a white house right next door, I would do a beautiful light muted green on the walls with white shutters and trim, and a deep red porch floor. You have a beautiful home.

If you could do a cream trim, this wall color is a stunner (notice the deep blue door and window trims, and gray stairs):

I love this one too, maybe with a red door:

You have to mouse-over the photo to see the entire picture.

Here is a gorgeous light green with the white trim:

Here's another green with white trim -- the green has a heavy yellow undertone which would look great with the other colors you are keeping:

go color!

I would LOVE to see a dark brown body. The white columns really pop against a dark color. Keep the light blue ceiling color and use a green shutter- preferably a green with a lot of yellow in it. If you are afraid of that chartreuse shade then a sage green would be nice too. Traditionally window sashes were black on a Victorian and they used NO white at all before the "all White" house look came in to style. You can't use black sashes with the brown though so how about a few shades darker them the shutter color you pick? So brown, greens and blues. You could use an off white instead of a stark white to soften it all up. If you don't want to have to repaint the white trim I understand! you could use a cream color on some of the details- such as keep the column itself white but paint the trim at base and top cream. Would just show off detail a little better. Paint the crown trim above the windows cream etc.

FYI We also have an 1890's Victorian - we used a green body called Thyme by Glidden, a deep spruce green trim and columns, plum for door and window sashes. Having a dark trim is really nice on a Victorian but since your husband won't go for it I say the dark body is the way to go! The dark body grounds the house and the side of your house is very long so I don't think a light body would look as good.

Pictures of our colors attached. Don't know how to rotate them here sorry

Might look great but the hot climate (dark colors draw more heat) and searing sun (making colors fade faster) of New Orleans would probably not be a good match.

This is a favorite scheme for me. Shades of beige and sage with a touch of red... you could even leave your red windows:

aazuline, I notice in your photos that there is a white space between each board. Was that for decorative reasons or is it caulk? Is this common in houses in your area?

mbcgardener3, the traditional color of shutters in the Garden District and Uptown NOLA was not actually black. They were very deep, dark green.

aazuline: Yes, painting the ceiling of the front porch blue is also traditional. There is a particular color that the Preservation Resource Center should be able to identify for you if you haven't already found it. "Marigny colors" are fun in Marigny, but please let them stay in Marigny. I painted my Uptown NOLA house a color that I thought was going to be taupe with some warm undertones. At first I was horrified when after painting it looked purple! Somehow, it worked. It really wasn't "purple," simply a soft, pale mauve. 24 years later, several subsequent owners have painted it the same color. ;-)

You have a huge expanse on the side of the house, which is usually the case for these large, long houses on narrow lots. Try to keep it calm. How about not painting the front side "stripes" white (too "busy", with the ceiling and the shutters) -- just the same color as the house? White trim for windows is enough and gives it all a fresh, brisk look. The blue you now have is a nice color, but, in such an expanse, more than a bit overwhelming.

We need to see photos of houses/buildings surrounding and even leading up to your house. It is essential, to find a color that will take those elements into account.

Looking at the houses you have saved, seems you like a more subtle palette.

Here's a thought...

Be sure to pick a palette that fades well. Odd thing to say, but a color that looks terrific today may look sad and droopy in 3 years, after exposure to sun and rain.

Also, pick a color that will be easy to touch up -- wooden structures will need touch ups.

It is tempting to go with the Painted Lady / Victorian look, but think your house is more special than that. :-)

Sage greens are on the trend downswing, if you care about those things.

Fun thread, thank you for the opportunity to chime in!!!

I wouldn't go neutral. Black and white, taupe, etc. can look good on any house, but your house really is special. The interesting colour combinations recommended by houzzers would look fab. I was in New Orleans a couple of years ago and the beautiful colours of the homes really made an impression on me. Go with colour.

Rather than all the Victorian color schemes that have been suggested, have you considered what is appropriate for a Greek Revival home? Maybe white trim, Ivory body, dark green shutters, red windows and front door. This would be very classic and you would stand out from the rest of the rainbow on the other three corners. I tend to like to go the opposite of what everyone else is doing.

What a beautiful home I would do the body in a dove gray ( gray with some brown), eggplant shutters ( deep blue violet that looks almost black), the window trim I would go with a red violet much lighter then the shutters and for the door a stand out green something with yellow in it to pop and say welcome. Residential Designs idea sounds good but I think the bulk of the house should stay traditional and modernize with an upbeat palette on the trim.

Forgot to mention the stripes they need to go,they make the facade way to busy and definitely a brighter color on the front door can't see it in the pic you posted.

Your lovely Greek revival home should not morph into a hippie Victorian Painted Lady. Keep your colors subtle as suggested by bluenan and daybydaybyday above. I'm a firm believer in respecting the integrity of the house. Also, avoid any [icy-cold Arctic] titanium white which didn't exist when your home was built.

The Suburban/MidWest/Home Depot/Do It Like Everyone Else trend is neutrals. Which I also like, to be honest.

BUT
In ensuring it works in the setting, and is in the spirit of its surroundings, expect you'll find more color in the vicinity. Color choices are not made in isolation.

The other thing about color is, the further south one goes, the more saturated the colors become. The same colors are NOT used in Amsterdam as in Jamaica, for a good reason.

The intensity of the sunlight and the latitude play an important part in color choices.

Those of us stuck in the upper 40 states have much diminished light, compared to you lucky ones 'way south'. If you DO hire a professional color person, please make sure they are from NOLA and understand the area. They can work with you to find a color that you love, and that works.

Neutrals on your house would just be 1) a shame 2) funny-looking.
Having said that, you do not want a painted lady, either.

What a fun problem you have on your hands!!! We all seem to be enjoying it very much!.

It is only paint. do what makes you happy.

Imagine Tara painted in garish colors.

Good luck! Looking forward to your finished product.

aazuline, check it out! Got an email from PRC today about this upcoming event:

Painting the Town: Presented by
Louis Aubert & Joe Helm

Tuesday,
March 10 · 6 p.m.
At PRC, 923 Tchoupitoulas St., New Orleans
FREE for PRC members
/ $5 for non-members

Learn
from two local experts about color selection and proper painting techniques for
historic houses.

Sherwin williamns have a color visualizer. you take a REALLY good picture of the house. as much resolution as you can get, upload and then get to play with colors

Montgomery Communications has best comment yet! Latitude is very important- as is local flora. Great house - such lovely porches. enjoy!!

You're livin' my dream there, aazuline! Thanks for the pictures; it's gorgeous.

Quite the undertaking. What good stewards you are. The siding that appears to be shiplap on the front facade was probably used to make the house look more "expensive." (I'm assuming it is original.) Different wood siding was often intended to look like stone, in this case with "rusticated" joints. Maybe that can give you some inspiration. Of course, we still do this in the suburbs today, by using brick on the front and siding elsewhere.

The sanding process might give you some ideas, too. Did you see any remnants from previous coatings that might tell you the history of the paint colors?

It's a nice idea to hold onto some of the historic materials that have been removed, to help tell the history of the house to future generations, let alone party guests.

Brava!

Wow lady this looks monumental!! It will look great and good for you for being so meticulous with it all!!!

How about a light mineral green for the body and eggplant, mauve and grey accents along with the white trim?