Need Help with Shutter Design and Color

11 years ago

last modified: 11 years ago

This is a recently purchased house and I'm having a really difficult time deciding on colors. There really aren't any "accent" colors on the exterior. In the Late Summer/Fall when I first purchased the house I used pots/planters to brighten up the exterior. Right now though, and also due in part to the weather, the house just looks gloomy.

I was trying to decide on Shutters and what design/colors would work best. So far I was thinking maybe a warm grey? or a deep red? I'm not sure if I should try to use darker colors to work with the dark brown/cherry door, or whether to find something lighter to try and "brighten up" the front.

Any help would be greatly appreciated, as I'm far from a design expert. Also this is my first home, so it's all a first for me.

Cheers!

Featured Answer

libradesigneye

11 years ago

I think you do have an accent color but it isn't the one you want - the base of the house and stairs are a barn red brown (where your house numbers are). They clash with the white trim which is too stark against the new (lovely) stained front door. Unless that is your red barn / garage in the back, we need to change that color - it doesn't work nicely next to white when mixed with tan.

Here is a recipe to make it all work beautifully - (what color is the roof?) We are going to change the window and door trim to be a very muted green blue green - blue greens and browns love each other - so it will work with your siding and your brown foundation (brick?) . . it will give you the charm you need and work with the ceiling idea - It will be fine with the white posts and railing but add some charm - you should climb out and do the trim around the upper window too -

For stairs and base where the red brown is - let's take that dark tan / brown - to sort of echo your new door - bm wood grain brown http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/woodgrainbrown

For trim at doors windows, window sashes and paint the sidelights - bm stratton blue http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/strattonblue

for the ceiling - the image shown is too blue - it is supposed to be an offwhite

bm swept away http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/sweptaway

The steps will repeat the door, the trim will repeat the ceiling, the white posts and railing will repeat the fascia and look darling. These small steps will add the pizzaz

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Comments (10)

Samantha Copeland
11 years ago
home like
jck910
11 years ago
Wow I think it looks great now. If you were to do shutters, they would be skinny so don't think you would get much from them. Shutters should only cover windows when closed that is proper sizing. Check out Timbelane Shutters website for measuring instructions. Winter has to end soon so it will be time for flowers again!!
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miacometlady
11 years ago
No shutters. Porches traditionally have the ceiling painted blue to mimic the sky. This may just give you enough punch of color to get you through a gloomy winter!
jkever4488
Original Author
11 years ago
Interesting idea with painting the top of the porch! Not sure I've seen that before (or just haven't been looking hard/long enough).

I am starting to think the shutters might actually do more harm than good. I think it might be getting cramped trying to fit them in...
clc5133
11 years ago
Paint the door red. Trim the porch white.
jkever4488
Original Author
11 years ago
My original thinking was to try and find something else darker to try and tie the dark door color to. I just got the door and sidelights and now I'm really second guessing myself (a very expensive second-guess). I also thought the door stain would be a bit lighter than what it ended up being. Maybe dark lantern lights to each side of the sidelights?
barcis
11 years ago
Painting the ceiling blue (haint blue to be specific) is also an old southern thing to keep the ghosts away. Some say it also keeps wasps and hornets away as they don't make nests because mimics the sky. Beautiful home! And I agree with a red door...so pretty! Maybe matching red shutters? The windows do look a little bare.
Lila
11 years ago
I'd put flower boxes along the front of the porch on either side of the stairs and put winter items, branches, berries, etc in them. Flowers in the summer.

Love the idea of painting the ceiling blue; your house is exactly the right style for that. Sweet house.
decoenthusiaste
11 years ago
The windows are too close to the door to add a pair of shutters but you have lots of space on the outside of them. Why not install a functional single shutter? They're not unheard of and I think they'll add what you're looking for if in the right color. Ceiling paint is another good idea.

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