Wow thats pretty bold. It would totally change the facade of the building! I wonder how that would work. What color awning would you recommend?

I think a rich Mediterranean yellow, blue-grey & white striped fabrics would look nice

Thjere is quite a lot of stone on the bottom so I would be careful with color choices to enhance the stone.

Ask a professional awning maker to give you an estimate for replacements and to tell you how long the current awnings will last. They may have a year or two left on them. Choose a new paint color scheme after you decide on new awnings. Chances are good that the awnings would need to be removed for a new paint job on the building, and they may not survive removal.

Walk around the area and look at the newly painted buildings to see what style awnings they have for inspiration. You can use google streetview if you prefer armchair shopping.

Thanks everyone

I'll be looking into these options. I have an awning person coming out next week.

Patricia -- By the way the stone is just a facade so I could change that out too but I think I'll most likely be keeping it.

Apple-- I think right now we might keep the same awnings for now as they are in good condition. then in a few years when the awnings need repair we could replace and do a complete redesign of the whole building. I suppose if awnings aren't too expensive and fit our budget we can change them out.

I like the ideas of bold colors like the blues from @brandi and mediterranean yellow ideas

What do you all think of the awning current color/scheme?

I've seen others on here use a program where they can test the paint colors on photos provided. Does anyone have a suggestion for an app or program to use for that?

Beautiful facade. You mentioned historical district, just make sure there are no stipulations about what can and can't be done. My town has put together some guidelines to help storefronts with remodeling and some communities have facade grants to help.

Gaudy facelifts on heritage buildings will not age well. Go with a tasteful color scheme that plays well with the tile roof color. If you add color do so on the awnings. These add-ons can be switched out as time goes by to give it a fresh look. Paint the window frames warm gray/black/dark bronze for a more neutral facade. The stone cladding does not appear original to the building and was likely added at some point. I love glazed tile on vintage storefronts so if budget allows down the road you could go that direction with a period appropriate choice that will really amp up the style of the exterior.

I caron I'll look into that

Rusty- Yes I think you're right that the tile on side is from 60s- 70s or some other period. This building was built between 1910-1920 remodeled.

Thanks those are some great photos.

BeverlyFLADeziner- I might do what you suggested and have the upper awnings blend with buildings... because I agree I think it's a bit of overkill especially with the different sized windows upstairs.

Any other ideas or suggestions are greatly appreciated!

I'm kind of leaning on waiting to do the awnings in a couple years because they're going to be $9-10k to replace all of them (there are a lot even on other side of building)

I did meet with the awning guy. He didn't have too many recommendations, he basically said he just does the awnings and showed me a lot of samples. He said most stores go with black or forest green awnings in my area. But he also recommended striped ones for pop.

Do you guys think I should go with BLACK awnings since it kind of goes with everything? Or maybe as Beverly suggested do some striped black and white ones on bottom store fronts and match the top color to whatever paint we go with.

I realize they serve a function, but to me the upper canvas awnings look a bit redundant with the way the tile roof juts out...

Not sure if it's a common thing in that area or not. Probably helps with cooling costs upstairs but probably makes that space a lot darker as well...

What kind of business will be in there?

I'd paint the window trim to match either the siding or the storefront windows and cover the white stucco on the storefronts with black metal or glass. Powerwash and see what you've got for the rest of it. Any color in the that 70's stone will work. The awnings can be painted, too. If there's no damage under the terracotta awnings, remove them.

Not sure what type of businesses yet. But this is a hip beachy area in Los Angeles area.
It's really kinda Spanish Mediterranean. But I think the red tile and the fake stone tile reminds me of 70s
What do you all think of putting some talavera type type on entrance stairs? Or glazed turquoise tile? Or maybe accent tile on certain areas
But yeah I'm not even sure yet what color of main paint. I was even contemplating taking the red tile awning off as it serves no purpose to building
Attached some side photos. They literally have these green and red stripped awnings all the way around the building
He third and fifth pic is an example of tiles I've seen on other buildings?

Spanish Examples tiles from other buildings:

Talk with the Historic Commission first. Then consult with an actual local designer who can work within those limitations.

All the tile pics are examples I've seen. The photos of green awnings is the actual
Building

There are no detailed laws here for historic building besides paint colors-- mainly that they have to be appropriate to the original architecture

This one is kind of Mediterranean / Spanish style

Do you think the Mediterranean features of your building are original? If not, I wouldn't attempt to go the tile route if you're competing with other properties that have the tilework examples you're showing- pretty expensive.

The building has that early 1900's vibe to me. I'd strip it back to what it was and do a little research on interiors of that era.

Does anyone know of a user-friendly or easy program where I can change paint colors on the photos I have or change awning colors?

Look at Sherwin Williams app ColorSnap

A visit to your local historical society/museum/library would be a good investment of time. They might have a picture of your building from the early part of the 20th century. Also consider a deed search to find out the history of the building, previous uses and owners. This will guide in the restoration. If it were my building, I would see if historical status/marker could be applied to protect the building.

Hey thanks for your recommendations guys. I'm sort of a DIYer, eventually I may higher a designer if it fits the budget but for now I'm really just planning and getting ideas.

In mean time I'll also look for historic photos at library etc. I haven't been able to locate any photos of building past 1990 where it looks as it does right now. But really I'd like to go with the overall aesthetics of the building currently.

I do know a bit of the history. A long time ago in 1908 it was one 1-story wood-siding building that got combined into a neighboring building in the 20s. I believe it was stuccoed much later, probably 50s, 60s or 70s. But currently it wouldn't make sense to remove stucco or go back to the original wood-siding.

It pretty much stands as is-- a stuccoed building and I really only want to change some awnings and do any cosmetic changes to keep with the current aesthetic of the building in it's present form.

Right now I''m thinking paint/stucco colors, changes in awning colors, and possible exterior tile work.

Any other suggestions are appreciated.

The actual construction probably won't happen for month or two. I'm really just in planning idea stage.

Also, just to be clear, the example photos I showed of tile facade are not in my area, just photos of tile on spanish buildings I liked in other cities and actually some are in California Adventure (Disneyland). There is not major historically relevant design I have to go with locally. This building is very different than a lot of other local buildings

I think you guys are right the building is originally not spanish, but was stuccoed about 80 years ago to look more spanish.

Any other ideas please let me know I'm still planning the exterior.

Local historic commission says we can change the colors as long as they match "spanish" or "meditteranean style. This is what I had in mind

We are most likely just changing the awnings to a dark brown/ taupe/ or black.

Then changing the color to a very light taupe, or off white like the above photos

Any other suggestions?

How about awnings matching the roof color? Black will fade and look old in nothing flat in the California sun.

So like red? Or brownish red? It's sort of a clay tile on the roof

I'm probably going with dark brown awnings and dark trim

Someone suggested use a trim that pops, but I'm not sure what type.

If I go with:

1. Dark brown awnings

2. Paint - Off white, or very light white beige for body

What color trim and doors/windows do you suggest?

Any other suggestions what trim color would go well with an off white or white with a little bit of taupe like my last photo shows