What siding color do you go with?

13 years ago

And what color is that brick?!

Our 1969 bi-level colonial was built by my grandparents and we love the house and the view of the golf course in our backyard. But we are in need of an update to siding, the front pillars and the entry doors and shutters. The issue is that I cannot find a house quite like mine or any house that has gone from white brick/white siding to keeping the brick (or even painting it) and updating the siding.

Looking for any/all options and ideas as to what do.

Things I would like to do:
Incorporate River Rock into the pillar/column bases when we redo the front of the house. River Rock is used in two retaining walls elsewhere on our lot and is visible at the driveway, so it would tie everything together.

Address the horizontal lines of the house in the most cost-effective way possible. One idea is to increase the vertical height of the front doors either with a window above the replacement doors or with extra-tall entry doors.

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PRO

Stamps Design Services

13 years ago

last modified: 13 years ago

I have to agree with Deborah Butler about the river rock...... you have enough going on, unless you plan to change the whole facade of your home keep the pillars! If you want the siding to blend in the the brick, choose a color close to the color of the brick (like the almond), if you want it to stand out, perhaps a cool grey (like the Grey shown below) with white trim to compliment both facades. A transom window above the doors, would bring more natural light to your entry, they are available in different styles, I posted three as examples. I also agree with Timberlane Shutters about updating the shutters, the paneled ones would be a lovely change....(perhaps in the colonial blue or sage green?) :-)

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Comments (19)

PRO
Timberlane Shutters
13 years ago
Typically, the size of your shutters should be half the size of your windows. Since these shutters are a bit small, replacing them with bi-fold shutters would look great on these bigger windows. Depending on your design preferences, a Raised Panel would look great on this home in our "Colonial Times Blue."
Lindsay thanked Timberlane Shutters
PRO
Brickwood Builders, Inc.
13 years ago
Personally, I would replace the siding with Hardie board and paint both the siding and the brick the same color. (Brick purists will say not to do this.) I would use a deep taupe with charcoal or black shutters. I would increase the size of the doors and enhance the entry with a transom over the doors. Use white for trim. I would not incorporate river rock into the pillars, it doesn't go with the house used in that fashion.
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Amy Klein
13 years ago
It is really hard to move away from white when you have a Georgian-style colonial. I did not have the courage. I updated the house by painting the doors (including the garage door) robin's egg blue and edging it with black. It really "pops" as the designers say. This isn't a great quality picture, but you can get the idea.
decoenthusiaste
13 years ago
Looks like you can do river rock pillars as a makeover and possibly topped with round columns.
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Elegance in Design · More Info
Linda Armstrong
13 years ago
the house should be buckskin, shutters charcol brown
Lindsay
Original Author
13 years ago
Timberlane Shutters, thank you for the guidance on shutters. That feels like just the type of advice I needed! The columns that decoenthusiaste included from "Elegance in Design" are sort of what I had in mind - in trying to combat the small windows at the bottom of the house, to try to bring some vertical balance to the house, but I also understand what many of you are saying about the busy-ness. The columns have to be replaced regardless, so I am free to make updates when we do the siding. I'm going to also clean a section of the brick to make sure that it's not just dirty and that way can make a better color choice. Thanks for the feedback thus far. Very much appreciated!
PRO
Timberlane Shutters
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
You're so welcome! You may go here to request a free catalog: http://www.timberlane.com/about_us/catalog-request/#.UcyQeTuG3Ic
PRO
Timberlane Shutters
13 years ago
Amy, you did a beautiful job with your home! It's not a matter of having the courage, it's about what's right for the house and your style. You definitely made the right choices here and the blue is perfect on the door, it really does "pop" and highlights the landscaping! Nice job.
houssaon
13 years ago
I like Deborah Butler's suggestions and the Timberlane Shutters are wonderful! Rather the transom over a new front door than a window. Although an octagon window would work.

Another way to counterbalance the horizontal would be to remove the two sets of evergreen trees at the edge of the main section. Then plant two ornamental trees on center with the house windows. This will focus the eye on the new front and visually divide the the house.
alwaysdesigning
13 years ago
Personally I am just not a big fan of all white houses and if I had one, I would not have a clue what color to paint it. I would tend towards a soft grey green, everything including columns; shutters can be darker; door can be bold. The pediment above the door feels a little out of place. I would research for something more "modern" or contemporary. I think your house could pull off a contemporary vibe. Enlarge the planting beds, bringing them out into the yard more and get some grasses and perennials in there, like Purple Fountain Grass, rosemary (evergreen in Texas), and dwarf bamboo Nandina Domestica. For color in shade, use begonias and/or impatiens. Good Luck
audhall
13 years ago
Match the brick:
Residential Exteriors · More Info
tnsockmonkey
13 years ago
I am in the process of refurbishing a 1930's bungalow -- inside and out. The front was very plain. Had shutters MADE using 3 lengths of wood, painted black --the look is much more custom and not cost prohibitive at all. You might be happy wit gray or taupe Hardi Plank -- great look!
Carrrie Anderson
13 years ago
Yellow siding with white window frames, pillars, etc. Choice a shade of yellow that makes you feel happy and proud!!
houssaon
13 years ago
Mock-up of the color matched (or slightly darker) than the brick, gray shutters and new trees.
Lindsay thanked houssaon
Lindsay
Original Author
13 years ago
Wow, houssaon, that is so much like what I have been trying to do myself with my novice capabilities. This is a great look and I can see now the great suggestion you had made earlier regarding the ornamental trees and I began visualizing and this mock up is even better! I really like the dark look - though I have to say I never would have put that together. The transom/window (what do you call that?) above the existing doors does JUST what I wanted it to do. That color gives some dimension to the siding area that I felt the house was in need of. The suggestion by alwaysdesigning was great, too, regarding pulling the landscape beds out away from the house and gaining dimension through landscaping. You guys have great feedback! THANK YOU -- I feel so much more informed about the choices I will be making.
PRO
All About Windows Inc
13 years ago
or new horizon shutters
jingstad
13 years ago
I like the colors suggested by houssaon. There are a couple of things you could add to the front. First, the columns should be larger. If you wanted to put a brick base that matches the brick on the house, you would have to be careful to not put a craftsman or bungalow style column. Another idea would be to make the portion of the porch roof over the front door into a gable. This would give a little more architectural appeal. I think that larger columns and a thicker trim boar under the edge of the porch roof would also make the whole house look richer. Wide trim around the windows would enhance the look without too much expense. These are just a few suggestions to give the house even more character.
jingstad
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
I have another thought for you...what if you took the front porch off, then built a gable roofed porch/entry over just the front door. Put impressive shutters on all the windows. I believe it would make your house look more like a two story rather than a split level. It would also brighten up the rooms on the second story.

The gable would then break up the horizontal lines of the house. You could use the round pillars in the house in the lower picture. The blue door and matching blue shutters would look really nice. Paint the siding a color that matches the brick. Then paint window/door frames and trim white. You would add a lot of drama and interest to the house.