Brand new farmhouse in MN-biggest decision? Exterior paint color-Help

13 years ago

We just started building our dream home- a house in MN on 10 acres with tons of mature trees/woods, dreams of large gardens, chickens, etc... We spent months designing every aspect of the home, but now we need to decide exterior COLOR! Seems like the largest decision of the entire build.
Attached is a picture of the front of the house.
I am pretty sure that I want the house and garage different colors. I am pretty set on a barn red for the garage and adding a cupola and barn type doors to mimic a barn.
Question is....1) am I crazy for doing a different color on the garage and 2) what color for the house? Right now, I am toying with James Hardie Iron Grey(by far the boldest choice), James Hardie Woodland Cream, Harris Cream or Sail Cloth?
HELP!!!! This is a huge decision-any suggestions would be very much appreciated!

Featured Answer

PRO

Kevin Patrick O'Brien Architect, Inc.

13 years ago

We are currently designing a Modern Farmhouse and Garage (carriage barn) for a customer here in California. During the early design stage we talked about barn red for the garage wing and white with black shutters for the main farmhouse. We also went with board and batten siding for the garages and horizontal siding for the house. Yes! Two colts can work as long as you have a good logical place to "break" or cut the two colors. Inside corners are perfect! Also a break in siding material or pattern as noted above helps "drive home" the concept! Good luck with this and your project! So far so good!

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Comments (6)

thethistle
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
Plenty of houses have a different coloured garage and look lovely. more than one colour just in the house can lookk great, and I think you have a nice idea. What colour will the house's roof be?
Allyson Beffel thanked thethistle
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PRO
Kevin Patrick O'Brien Architect, Inc.
13 years ago
Sorry *colors! Type-o, moving too fast this morning!!
Allyson Beffel
Original Author
13 years ago
Sounds like we are on the right path! Good to know about thinking about the 'breaking' point, I hadn't really thought of that. Would love to see any pictures of the modern farmhouse as it develops. Have you thought of a roof color yet?
PRO
Kevin Patrick O'Brien Architect, Inc.
13 years ago
We are going with a "standing seam" metal roof at the lower roof pitch (over porches) in pewter color and black asphalt composition shingles on the steeper roof. You might collect your favorite pictures on houzz then print out all of the "exterior" views. Then narrow down to your "best of pics" ! Your color palette will emerge!
PRO
Spang Builders, Inc.
10 years ago
I'm with Kevin - Keep it classic! Also might look great with black trim on the windows and mullions. But you would have had to order this already most likely.