having trouble finding good colors

8 years ago

Hello,

First time posting here. Doing an update on a ranch house built in 1982. See pic below. Having a hard time finding a good color combo for this house as it was originally clad in cedar panels, board n batten (around back), red brick and so on. Problem is, I can figure out the front on numerous ideas, to the point t that I’ve ordered and will be installing cedar planking/rain screen on entry way.

However, the back of the house has me stumped. While the front has lots of ideas stemming from the painted cedar 4x6 beams and red brick, the back is sort of plain to a degree. No matter what color palette I choose, it either does not go with the roof or makes the roof take on a purple color (with any cool undertone grays, blues or etc. any ideas would be welcome.

P.s. first photo is what house looked like when we bought it. 2nd photo is a photoshop rendition of what I’m seriously considering at this point. 3rd photo is back of house when we bought it and last photo is the current back photoshop rendition.

Any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Featured Answer

decoenthusiaste

8 years ago

You're headed in a good direction. When you get ready to tackle the landscaping, don't do straight rigid lines, but add some softness with curved beds and loose, open plantings.

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Comments (8)

Bev
8 years ago
With the red brick on your house and the gray roof, I suggest painting your house a very cool gray. Here is a photo from Houzz that will show you how the cool gray looks with red brick (this house also has black trim, which is another option for you):

Magnolia Residence 03 · More Info
Caleb Elliott
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks for the response. That exact photo is one that has inspired a lot of what I am doing on the exterior. I really love the dark trim with gray/grey look.
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Caleb Elliott
Original Author
8 years ago
This is what I have accomplished so far.
Caleb Elliott
Original Author
8 years ago
Went with a Black Mocha exterior color to compliment the brown and red in the shingles and bricks. Will probably end up painting the rest of the windows to match rather than have the white accents. It just does t look right to me currently.
mnmamax3
8 years ago
I love this makeover - looks fabulous! I agree the white window trim seems a bit jarring. BUT you do not have any landscaping done or anything on your porch. I might wait until you complete those other items before deciding. At worst it's something you can do later. At best, you might decide you don't need to. It looks like there was more light in the other photos... how does it look then?
Caleb Elliott
Original Author
8 years ago
That is the plan with the landscaping. Modern, yet flowing, to keep everything tied together.

The original pics were from the listing when we bought the house. Heavily HDR’d in photoshop to get the highlights and shadows to both show. My photos were shot from my cellphone. Lol.
kay kin
8 years ago
your ideas look great. The white trim should go. Definitely break up the 'soldiers at attention' landscaping, especially with an interesting tree/ shrub on the right side, between the windows. I'm a big fan of ornamental grass, but caution -some do grow quite large, so research them, your zone, size etc. Another is a tree- Harry Lauder's Walking Stick. Very gnarly, architectural, quick growing- but can get large. Nice homestead! Good luck.