PS: I'd also post this on the Old House Forum

I’m not opposed to artificial grass, but have you looked into xeriscaping or landscaping with native plants?

i like the idea of all white, but not sure where you’d add black—I wouldn’t paint the trim or chimney black.

@ cpartist - Thanks so much. The seller told us it used to be a chicken coop house in the early 1900's, but underwent remodeling in 1956. I will defintiely look into craftsman colors. I am seriously at a lost as to where to begin. The inside is an entirely new thread I will need to start at some point. It hasn't been touched since the 1980's. Please see pictures below:

Narrow Living room

Living room looking towards the front of the house

Entry way and front door

Dining room and kitchen

Do these photos help?

@ Benjesbride - I have not looked into xeriscaping or landscaping with native plants. I am not opposed to that at all. I just don't like the look of dirt. I like color. I was thinking of painting the door black or a dark charcoal color. Maybe the garage door to tie it in?? Not sure though. I agree on the trim. I would leave those white. I can't afford new windows, so the white vinyl stays for now.

Isn't Craftsman supposed to look a bit rustic? Here's Sacramento:

[https://www.houzz.com/photos/holiday-home-tour-2012-traditional-exterior-sacramento-phvw-vp~2142175[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/holiday-home-tour-2012-traditional-exterior-sacramento-phvw-vp~2142175)

@ -everdebz - Thanks. I do not know. I didn't even think this was a craftsman's house. That's house clueless I am. However, I will be doing my research on it today.

It's fun to have a house/ and home. :)

As you know, this is big in SoCal:

[https://www.houzz.com/photos/holiday-home-tour-2012-eclectic-exterior-sacramento-phvw-vp~2142264[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/holiday-home-tour-2012-eclectic-exterior-sacramento-phvw-vp~2142264)

@ - cpartist - how do I add this to the Old House Forum? Do I need to start a new thread? It only allowed me to pick 3 forums. Thanks again.

@ - everdebz - I love that!!!! That would be super cool. Thanks.

Your touches of course!!!

The garage doesn't have to be green, imo. Stucco color wasn't mentioned for this house, cause I looked - but think of it as sand-y?!

Called teal, looks pine green from here -

Meriwether Inc.: "The teal color was original to the home and we matched it in the addition. The windows, screens and handrail are Benjamin Moore's Mink. All of the storms in the home have been replaced or added along the way to this home. They are all Wood storms."
victorianbungalowranch: "This is the most respectful addition I have seen in a long time, and I'm impressed that they still have wood storms. Definitely few houses have those anymore."

[https://www.houzz.com/photos/morningside-bungalow-craftsman-pool-minneapolis-phvw-vp~5661594[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/morningside-bungalow-craftsman-pool-minneapolis-phvw-vp~5661594)

Can anyone explain a bit about what a chicken coop house is?

Sorry to go a little off topic, I tried to google and learned lots about building a house for chickens!

Great photos and suggestions:

[https://www.houzz.com/magazine/houzz-tour-fun-and-color-for-a-new-bungalow-stsetivw-vs~60391033[(https://www.houzz.com/magazine/houzz-tour-fun-and-color-for-a-new-bungalow-stsetivw-vs~60391033)

While the main level has an open floor plan, rooms are delineated with casework “so the spaces don’t feel out of proportion with a traditional bungalow,” Kell Cornell says. Bungalow-style built-ins provide plentiful storage in the living area, while windows above keep the room feeling spacious. The hearth for the gas fireplace is from Cambria. The surround is marble similar to that used in the kitchen. A staircase to the second level has nooks and landings protected by a “chunky, crafted railing that’s a more modern take on a traditional bungalow-style stair rail,” Kell Cornell says.

[https://www.houzz.com/photos/highland-park-bungalow-transitional-living-room-minneapolis-phvw-vp~74955744[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/highland-park-bungalow-transitional-living-room-minneapolis-phvw-vp~74955744)

@ lindsey - All I know is that back in 1909, this was a home that sat on a chicken farm. Over the years, the land was split and sold off. Sorry to confuse you.

@ - everdebz - I like the "teal" color, even though it appears to be a sage/pine green like you said. I think that works so nicely because of all the greenery surrounding it. I also like the interior park bungalow image you showed. Did you see the interior photos of the house above? :)

Some... if possible, click on More Info, or the link I added [from the designing company]

Thanks for taking the time to answer me :)

I really like the "teal" house that everdebz found!

Carrie, I'm also in so cal. a lot of time those bungalow homes were used by the 'hired hands' on farms and orange groves. that's prob what the owner meant.

It's lost most of the arts and crafts look w/those new windows and the dormer. If you want to do a black and white, I think you could. True arts/crafts homes were earth tone, darker colors

as for the xeriscape, I did it to our rental (North OC area).

since you already have the DG (your rock), half the work is done. I used cuttings of succulents and cacti from my own yard, and just planted them. they take very easily. if you're on a budget, check w/the neighbors to see if they have any plants they want to divide. the big aloe in the center? my neighbor let me have it. btw, all of those plants have grown considerably in the past few years. the yard really looks nice now. bring in some boulders, large rocks, maybe do a berm or two, black mulch off to the side, a palm tree, and you're on your way. these need water, but once a week of a deep soaking is fine.

more mediterranean style plantings.

bring in a bench, small ground cover, maybe a dry creek bed, and some potted plants/

1909 craftsman

and a 1923 sears catalog craftsman

your home almost has that dutch colonial looking roof.

Definitely look into drought tolerant landscaping. You can have a colorful low maintenance front yard.

@ Beth H - Thanks for your response! I love what you've done to your rental house. It looks fantastic. Do you happen to know the color of the last image you sent me? I like it.

i added a few more pics. which one? the charcoal?

I wonder what your house was originally, under the stucco? since it's been completely redone, you can do whatever you like. it really doesn't look like a craftsman.

here are some similar style homes like yours, done in the white and gray

@ Beth H - you sure did and I like both of them. The 1923 Sears Catalog looks great. I just wish I had wood windows. I think that may be too dark against the my white vinyl windows. Your thoughts?? I was referring to this photo:

@ Beth H - it may have been the 1909 Craftsman. My bad

in that house, the painted cement stairs look like Charolette Slate or Agean Teal

and the house colors looks like Whale Gray

or maybe. hard to tell

@ Beth H - Wow! Thanks so much. I like he blue grays with hints of green too. What do you think? Do you think I can pull off a day gray, with white trim and windows?

samples are cheap. grab a few and try them out! prime that green first w/some gray primer, then do your samples. you'll get a better idea. do them in the front under the windows.

Order this book.

Bungalow Colors: Exteriors https://www.amazon.com/dp/1586851306/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_NtIyBbD8B98B4

Also check out the Sherwin Williams historic paint colors. They have a set for this type of house.

You are going about this piecemeal. Pick an overall color scheme, not a door color or trim color in isolation.

You can do your samples on foam core board, which can be moved around the house at different times of the day. I hope you embrace color, because the house will look great with a craftsman vibe.

I wouldn't bother w/foam boards. she's painting, regardless, and she's going to have to prime that green. it's easier to grab a few samples and paint it on the stucco then walking around w/a board propped up against the house . get a gray primer for your samples. After you decide on your gray color, take your gray primer back and have them tint it a shade or two lighter than the color you want. you'll use less paint have a better finish. make sure they use paint suitable for stucco.

if you think you want a lighter color, get a white primer to cover a portion of that green and paint on your light sample. if you just paint over that green, you'll get a false sense of what the color really looks like.

It is a good idea to test samples on various sides of a house. Learn from my mistake. I put samples on the front/eastern side of our house and fell in love with a nice dark gray/green. Well, I came home the summer afternoon after they painted to discover the orangey western light made the paint on the backyard side of my house look like poo poo. I'm still annoyed with that decision and we sold that house 4 years ago.

@ HKO HKO - Thanks for the advice. I will take a look at the amazon link. I am glad I am here at this site so I can avoid piece-mealing it together. Thanks for your concern though, ;)

@ Beth H - you are a wealth of knowledge. I will do exactly that. I just received a few bids from painters and they all recommended 2 + coats to cover the green.

@ benjesbride - YES! I agree. I will try on all sides of the house. Thank you.

Apart from color, I agree with the recommendations to try a xeriscape. It will be less expensive than artificial turf, & it will be more colorful & interesting. It doesn’t have to be all succulents ( which I love ) ... you can mix in Mediterranean drought friendly plants such as lavender, lantanas, etc.

@ K Laurence - Yes, I agree. I especially like the "less expensive" piece. Thanks