{FRESH} Color Schemes
For Your Home Exterior
We love our colors!
–1–
By Kate Smith, CMG, CfYH
{contents}
Copyright: © 2013 by Kate Smith. Standard Copyright License.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or used
in any form or by any means-graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including
photocopying, recording, or information storage-and-retrieval systemswithout the prior written permission from the publisher.
The rights of Kate Smith to be identified as the author and publisher of
this work have been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright,
Design and Patents Act 1988.
Images may not be copied, replaced, distributed, published, displayed,
modified, or transferred in any form or by any means except with the prior
permission of the rights owner listed above.
Thank you to the following companies for providing images and
information used in this publication:
DaVinci Roofscapes
Fypon
Simonton Windows
Therma-Tru
Book Design: ArtVersion Interactive Agency
05
Introduction
06
Colonial
10
Ranch
14
Bungalow
18
Victorian
22
Spanish Mission
26
European
30
New American
35
Resources
{introduction}
Your home is telling
you what colors to
choose. You just need
to learn how to hear
what it is saying.
{FRESH}
color schemes
F ixed Features
R egional Colors
E nvironment and Surroundings
S tyle of the Home
H istoric and Have-to-Use Colors
the right direction for enhancing the exterior
with an eye-pleasing color palette. And, by
“shaking up” the exterior of your home you’ll
add more curb appeal, resale value and
day-to-day enjoyment to your living space.
Every house is unique. Even within the same
neighborhood, each home has distinct
features along with a different family living
inside.
The colors of your home’s exterior should
complement its distinctive qualities. In my
previous book, The {FRESH} Guide To
Exterior Color, I provided five considerations
for choosing colors for the outside of your
home. Now we’re going a step further to learn
about applying that color selection process to
a variety of home styles.
roof
In this book you’ll find a step-by-step approach
for selecting colors for seven different styles
of homes --- everything from Bungalow to
European to Victorian. You’ll see how I use the
FRESH approach for color selections, working
from the “top down” to establish eye-pleasing
color themes for the outside of houses.
shutters door
color scheme
For each home style you’ll first see three
different color schemes that include the roof,
siding, windows, door and trim. Then I’ll walk
you through my thought process for choosing
a color scheme for a home of that style. You
can find tips for how to work with different
materials and exterior details within these
sections of the book.
Don’t worry if your home doesn’t fall
precisely into one of these seven home styles.
By peeking inside my mind through the
explanations and illustrations you can clearly
see how to apply the same thought processes
for your own home.
Once you understand the process, you’ll
discover that your home itself can point you in
–5–
{colonial}
Gray, black & cedar are
popular roof choices,
but just about any
color works on this style
home.
roof
The entranceway of a
Colonial-style home is
often the most prominent
feature on the facade.
Slate Black
Slate Gray
Autumn Blend
shutters
Bohemian Black
Loyal Blue
Rookwood Dark
Brown
{FRESH}
color schemes
Snowbound, Bohemian Black
door
Bohemian Black
Rave Red
Really Teal
Colonial Revival Gray, Loyal Blue, Pure White,
Rave Red
Colonial Revival Stone, Classic White, Rookwood
Dark Brown, Really Teal, Blue Horizon
* Colors from Sherwin-WIlliams
–6–
–7–
Colonial-style homes are
known for symmetrical
design with the front door
in the center. The windows
are aligned horizontally and
vertically. The amount of
architectural detail varies
depending on when and
where your home was
constructed.
Two-, three- and four-color
schemes are all possibilities
for a Colonial-style home.
The right number and
placement of colors will
depend on your personal
preference.
{
start at the roof
}
1
{
5
{
}
choose main color
Colonial Revival
Stone
select your front door
color
}
identify other colors that
need to be considered
No
{
1
2
Autumn Blend
3
Here are the steps for creating a FRESH color scheme
4
Yes
The existing polymer shake roof color has variations in the tones but the overall
color is a warm natural cedar.
{
}
Pine Green
select color for windows,
trim and shutters
Identify Other Colors That Need To Be Considered
Recently-installed windows with Pine Green grids need to be treated as a
fixed feature. When window grids are a distinct color it is the one time they
will weigh into your color scheme decisions.
3
Red: Just like you’d
Choose Your Main Color
This home already has two colors. Now choose the third by thinking about
what colors could work with cedar and Pine Green. Shades of brown, yellow,
blue, warm gray or beige/tan are the natural choices.
As you consider colors there may be one you’d like with the existing colors
not as your main color. Might it make a good accent color? If so, keep it
in mind but don’t choose the exact shade until you reach the point in the
process for selecting that color.
{
{
The reason window grids aren’t usually taken into consideration is because
they don’t carry much visual weight in your overall scheme. Often they are
white or off-white and will fade into the background of your façade. For this
reason you don’t have to take their color into consideration when planning
your scheme.
Classic White
}
2
Start At The Roof
what your front door
color says about
your personality
{
{colonial} color from the top down
Rookwood Dark
Brown
door color is the same as
trim or shutters?
No
}
For example, add to our two set colors, cedar and Pine Green the possibility
of using blue in the scheme, and look for a main color that will work with all
three. I selected Colonial Revival Stone. It is a warm neutral that will blend
nicely with the cedar color of the roof, will allow the pine window grids to
stand out and will be complimented by a blue.
4
Yes
You’ve Found Your
{FRESH} Color Scheme
5
tells the world to “look at
me!” Red is a bold choice
for those who are not afraid
of standing out on the block.
White: A crisp white door is
for those who are (or would
like to be) organized, neat
and clean.
Green: If your door is green,
Select Color for Windows, Trim & Shutters
you care about your home
If replacement windows are being put in and you want a color other than
white or off-white you need to select that color now. If your windows will
remain the same select your frame color.
and your community and
To accent the frame color, I chose Classic White for the trim pieces
surrounding the window units.
Really Teal
probably guess, this hue
you have more traditional
values.
Black: This is a timeless
If your home has shutters, now select the color for the shutters. In this
example, I chose Rookwood Dark Brown, a tone slightly darker than the roof.
By choosing a color that is in the same neutral tone as the roof will allow
the Pine Green window grids and frames to be the prominent color at the
window.
look, and you don’t waiver
Find Your Front Door Color
Blue: You have an easy
On the Colonial-style home the front door is the main focal point on the
façade. A contrasting color is often chosen for this reason. This is your
opportunity to give even the most classic Colonial some personality. Really
Teal was my choice to give character to this scheme.
go-with-the-flow personality
conservative and
reserved.
and people flock to you.
Yellow: If you choose this
sunny hue for your door,
Is Any Other Color Needed?
Blue Horizon
for trends. You’re consistent,
Look carefully at your home. Make note of which of
the colors you have selected will be applied to each
architectural detail of the exterior. Is there an area of
the exterior that you haven’t chosen a color for? On
a Colonial this might be a porch ceiling or floor or
garage door. If so, choose it now.
you’re most likely a leader of
the pack.
Purple: You’re comfortable
taking risks and dreaming
big. Some may call you a
“free spirit.”
–9–
{ranch}
roof
Repetition of vertical
elements such as
shutters, columns and
cornerstones move the
eye across the façade
and highlight key home
details.
Shutters that are as dark
as the roof keep a single
story looking balanced.
Slate Black & Slate
Gray
Espresso Blend
Tahoe Blend
shutters
New Black
Chocolate
Raspberry
Dark Meadow
{FRESH}
color schemes
Montpelier Madison White, New Black, Tangerine
Tango
door
Café Blue, Gilded Linen, Chocolate Raspberry,
Montpelier Red Velvet
Tangerine Tango
Montpelier Red
Velvet
Green Garlands, Dark Meadow, Possibility,
English Walnut
English Walnut
* Colors from Valspar
– 10 –
– 11 –
The type of home known
as a Ranch or Rambler
is an architectural style
that originated in the
United States. Noted
for its long, close-to
the-ground profile, and
minimal use of exterior
and interior decoration,
the Ranch originally
epitomized the idea of a
casual lifestyle.
Today, an asymmetrical
rectangular, L-shaped, or
U-shaped design is still
the most popular design
for these single story
homes. The simple open
floor plan fuses modern
style with casual living.
{
start at the roof
}
1
1
2
{
{
No
choose your main
color
}
4
{
select your front door
color
{
Coronado Random
Flagstone Riviera
select color for trim and
shutters
Dark Meadow
}
2
Yes
Green Garlands
5
}
identify other colors that
need to be considered
Tahoe Blend
3
Here are the steps for creating a FRESH color scheme
{
}
Possibility
door color is the same as
trim or shutters?
No
Yes
3
}
4
Start At The Roof
Upgrading from gray asphalt to a polymer shake roof in the Tahoe blend was the
first step in creating a warm natural look for this home. The shake roofing tiles add
a casualness to the home while adding more distinction to the roof itself.
Identify Other Colors That Need To Be Considered
A flagstone walkway in a blend of warm tones of brown and gray was the
home’s only other fixed feature to consider in addition to the roof. The neutral
warm tones are beautiful with the new roof. The stone adds to the vision of a
color scheme that blends with the home’s natural surroundings.
{
identifying colorcast
of brick
{
{ranch} color from the top down
If your home is all or partially brick,
identifying the colorcast can help
you to find a color scheme that
harmonizes with your brick.
Below are some of the most
common colorcasts for brick.
Choose Your Main Color
This home is in a neighborhood where mid-tone colors of taupe, gray or
beige dominate. In order to have a home that stands out --- while still fitting
in --- I needed to take that into consideration. I selected Green Garlands
because it was the green color desired by the homeowners and this toned
down version of green works enough to complement the nearby homes.
Red brick is a classic that works
well with dark rich colors or
With a Ranch-style home it is best to keep the color of the façade consistent
to create a large field of color. Even if architectural details such as an alcove
provides a natural place where the color could break, think carefully about
changing color. It could divide the front of your home into three or more
small parts when what you really want to create is one cohesive look.
historic mid-tones.
Select Colors for Trim & Shutters
White brick softens the look of the
For this home style, the color chosen for the shutters is an excellent way to
create rhythm that keeps the eye moving across the façade of the home. I
chose Dark Meadow. This dark green on the shutters against the mid-tone
main color has enough contrast to standout and add visual interest.
brick and works great with light to
mid-tone colors.
Shutters that are as dark (or darker) than the roof color will also move the
eye vertically upward, making a single-story home feel taller.
For the trim an off white called Possibility was chosen as a clean, unifying
color for the exterior.
Gray brick is a versatile neutral
that fits into just about any color
5
English Walnut
You’ve Found Your
{FRESH} Color Scheme
scheme.
Find Your Front Door Color
As is the case with many Ranch-style homes, the front door of this house
does not stand out. To draw attention to the door you can enhance the
architectural details or add a contrasting color that fits with your scheme.
In this case, a new fiberglass door with doorlites stained English Walnut
moves the eye toward the front entryway.
Pink has a soft, natural
appearance that blends best with
colors that are muted and light.
Is Any Other Color Needed?
Green
Garlands
The final color decision was what color to paint the
garage door. Painting it in the same color as the trim
was one option, but I preferred to paint it the main
Green Garlands color. Even though the garage is on
the side of the house, I wanted the garage doors to
blend in with the entire home exterior.
Brown, one of the darkest bricks,
goes well with a wide variety of
colors.
– 13 –
*Images courtesy of Belden Brick
{bungalow}
Bungalow-style home
plans often utilize the area
under the roof as living
space rather than as an
attic. Dormer windows,
which provide light and
ventilation are a common
feature.
roof
Bungalows usually have
low-pitched roofs with a
large surface area and
wide, overhanging eaves.
Porches are considered
hallmarks of the
Bungalow-style.
Shake Slate Gray
Abruzzo Blend
New Cedar Blend
trim
Dove White
Appaloosa
Chamois
{FRESH}
color schemes
Nocturnal Sea, Dove White, Oak
door
Oak
Purple Nite
Cedar
Appaloosa, Durango, Purple Nite
Red Brick, Forest Night, Chamois, British Brown,
Cedar
* Colors from Pratt & Lambert
– 14 –
– 15 –
Bungalow, a term that
originated in India and
found its way into the
English language, was
used in the late 19th
century to describe large
country or suburban
houses built in Arts and
Crafts or other Western
vernacular styles.
Developers later began
to use the term for
smaller residential
homes, which are either
single story or have a
second story built under
a sloping roof, with
dormer windows.
{
start at the roof
}
1
1
2
{
identify other colors that
need to be considered
No
New Cedar Blend
Here are the steps for creating a FRESH color scheme
}
Start At The Roof
To honor the style of this home, polymer shake roofing tiles in New Cedar were
used on the roof. This blend includes a combination of five shades of cedar colors
and complements the entire vision of the home.
{
talking about trim
Moulding, trim and decorative
{
{bungalow} color from the top down
elements give your home its
distinctive look. And, when
2
Yes
Identify Other Colors That Need To Be Considered
The homeowners didn’t love the dark color of the bricks on their home. I
knew that the high contrast of their existing white trim was making the bricks
seem that much darker. I also knew that the perception of a color could be
changed by the colors surrounding it, so I worked on finding a color that
would make the brick more attractive.
selecting a urethane product that
can be painted or stained, you
can count on low-maintenance
beauty.
Red Brick
3
{
choose your main
color
}
4
{
select color for windows,
trim and shutters
}
3
Choose Your Main Color
There was only a small area of the siding that was not covered with brick. For
those areas I chose Chamois, a warm golden tan paint color that harmonizes
with the New Cedar roof and the color of the bricks. Chamois contrasts with
the brick to highlight the architectural details of the Bungalow-style and
brings out the best of the color tones in the brick.
A second paint color, Forest Night, added to the peaks over the door and
window areas, draws the eye upwards. Although the paint covers a small
area, the color takes most of the attention away from the color of the brick.
Forest Night
5
{
find your front door
color
British Brown
}
{
instantly add character.
Chamois
door color is the same as
trim or shutters?
No
Adding trim is an easy way to
}
4
Yes
Select Color for Windows, Trim & Shutters
British Brown was my choice as an accent color for the urethane brackets
above the door and near the dormer windows as well as the pot shelves
under the lower windows. The Chocolate Brown window frames—another
color choice that honored the history of this style of home --- inspired my
choice of British Brown.
Chamois was used on the rest of the trim including column wraps to carry
the color across more of the home and keep the focus on the entry and front
porch details.
Spindles + style = an inviting
porch
Cedar
You’ve Found Your
{FRESH} Color Scheme
5
Find Your Front Door Color
Rather than paint the front door, I recommended replacing it with a classiclooking fiberglass entry door stained in cedar with a doorlite and sidelites
that had decorative glass. This makes the entry a welcoming focal point for
the home and stays with the type of door style found on original Craftsman
bungalow homes.
A trellis can give an entry door
Is Any Other Color Needed?
The privacy lattice on the side porch was replaced
and stained cedar to match the front door color.
charm.
Simplicity is the hallmark of the
Bungalow-style home; ornate
Cedar
details define the Victorian-style.
How might you add character to
your style?
– 17 –
{victorian}
Steep flaring roofs covered
in shingles or decorative
slate tiles are characteristic
of the Victorian-style home.
A turret or tower is often part
of the asymmetrical design.
roof
Unlike most styles of
architecture, the four sides
of a Victorian-style home
are often completely
different than one another.
Red & Gray Custom
Blend
Harbor Gray Blend
Castle Gray Blend
The front door is always
an important feature. Most
Victorian home doors
were divided into four or
more sections with some
sections being filled with
colorful decorative glass.
windows
Brick
Cream
Bronze
{FRESH}
color schemes
Muddy River, Brick, Milk Paint, Quite Red
door
Quite Red
Oatlands Violet
Ibis Rose
Homestead Resort Sunwash, Cincinnatian Hotel
Filson Blue, Oatlands Violet, Grand Hotel Awning
Yellow
Woodsmoke, Royal Gray, Snowcap White,
Ibis Rose, Porcelain Blue
* Colors from Valspar
– 18 –
– 19 –
The colors historically
found on Victorian homes
were inspired by nature
and ranged from light
browns, tans and greens
to darker, muddier colors
than we often associate
with this style of home
today.
The multi-color schemes
now found on Victorianstyle homes outline the
architectural details and
allow a wide variety
of historic mouldings
to stand out. Using
contrasting colors allows
the many decorative
elements to be visually
separated from one
another.
{
start at the roof
1
}
1
2
{
identify other colors that
need to be considered
No
Castle Gray Blend
Here are the steps for creating a FRESH color scheme
}
2
Yes
Matt Gray Brick
3
{
choose your main
color
}
4
{
select color for windows,
trim and shutters
}
3
Start At The Roof
The Castle Gray roof was chosen following my FRESH approach. The “F”
in FRESH refers to fixed features. These are permanent elements of a home’s
exterior. In this case, it is the red of the brick around the base of the home that has
a gray colorcast. The homeowners had a medium gray in mind for the main color
and the tones from light to dark gray would harmonize with both the main color and
the color of the brick around the base of the home.
{
turret talk
{
{victorian} color from the top down
Identify Other Colors That Need To Be Considered
The brick is a fixed feature, but because it is not an element that I wanted
to play up, I will want it to blend in with the color scheme but not influence
my other color choices. If the brick were more prominent it would carry
more weight in my decision process. While you need to keep all of the fixed
features in mind as you choose colors in order to create an overall cohesive
look, when you only see a small amount you can choose whether you want
to give it more or less influence as you select your scheme.
Whimsical and romantic, roof
turrets resemble a large,
upside-down ice cream cone.
The traditional roof turrets (which
means “tower”) is an architectural
beauty gracing the tops of
Choose Your Main Color
The homeowners had gray in mind as the main color and I chose
Woodsmoke. Rather than going all gray, I also selected a cool blue gray
called Royal Gray to paint the areas accented with decorative shakes in the
gables and around the turret.
historical buildings as well as
today’s homes. Victorian-style
homes in particular, with their
many rooflines, gingerbread
accents and multiple siding
materials, are ideal for turrets.
Woodsmoke
5
{
Snowcap White
Royal Gray
find your front door
color
}
{
door color is the same as
trim or shutters?
No
}
4
Yes
Ibis Rose
You’ve Found Your
{FRESH} Color Scheme
5
Select Color for Windows, Trim & Shutters
Victorian homes are known for their ornate exterior decorations and different
patterns on their exterior. Sometimes five or more colors work wonderfully to
accentuate these features. Other times as few as two colors are all that are
needed. In this case, a four-color scheme was chosen.
The turret is most commonly
recognized from its use in
medieval castles as a defensive
measure to watch for incoming
Snowcap White gave a crisp, clean look to the trim. A deep pink, Ibis Rose,
was used as a pinstripe on a narrow piece of the molding. This gave a nod
to the Victorian roots of this design. Often less color strategically placed can
go a long way on a home’s exterior.
enemies. Today our love of this
The Bronze window frames worked well with both of the main colors and
darkest tones in the roof. The darkness of this color added depth to the
windows that the white trim alone could not have accomplished.
a necessary lookout tower. And,
design finds it atop our roofs as
an ornamental feature usually in
a rounded- shape rather than as
turrets of today are always a focal
point on a home, no matter what
the style of the house.
Find Your Front Door Color
The main pop of color of Ibis Rose was also used for the front
door to add an element of fun to this home’s exterior and draw attention to
the welcoming entry and front porch.
High atop the home, a turret has
two color options --- to blend in
with the overall color of the roof or
to stand out. For example, a roof
may be mostly covered in a Castle
Is Any Other Color Needed?
Gray blend of polymer slate tiles.
Porcelain Blue was chosen for the porch ceiling.
The pale blue gives the porch a soft, relaxing touch.
The turret can be covered in that
same appealing blend … or the
homeowner can choose to draw
Porcelain
Blue
special attention to the turret by
covering it in the European blend
of tiles featuring shades of both
grays and purples.
– 21 –
Terracotta and clay
colors are most common
for the roof even when
installing a polymer roof.
{spanish mission}
roof
Window shutters were
historically placed on the
inside of the home not
the exterior.
Sonora Blend
Sedona Blend
Sabino Blend
windows
Horseradish
Whiskers
Southern Wood
{FRESH}
color schemes
Earthy Ocher, Horseradish, Antique Mahogany
door
Antique Mahogany
Green Tea Leaf
Suenos
Sharkskin, Whiskers, Green Tea Leaf
Ivory Tower, Southern Wood, Suenos
* Colors from Pittsburgh Paints
– 22 –
– 23 –
A Spanish home has
strong Latin influences
and fosters a connection
to nature. Generally built
with thick stucco walls
and clay tile roofs, the
courtyards are enclosed
to extend the home’s
living area and merge
with the environment.
Toned down and neutral
colors reminiscent of
sand, wood and clay
work well on this style of
home. Wrought iron is a
key element that is used
for banisters, lighting
fixtures and accents.
Always choose color and
design elements that fit
with the distinct style
rather than fighting the
style.
{
start at the roof
}
1
1
2
{
identify other colors that
need to be considered
No
Sabino Blend
Here are the steps for creating a FRESH color scheme
}
2
Yes
Start at the Roof
Warm clay and brown tones combine in an appealing color blend for this roof. The
updated slate polymer tiles give a nod to the colors historically seen on a Spanish
Mission-style of home.
Identify Other Colors That Need to be Considered
The entranceway is decorated with colorful ceramic tiles that give character
to the home and inspire the color scheme. If your home has a unique feature
you will want to think about how you can best highlight that feature with the
colors you select.
{
hollywood glamour
popularizes
spanish style
Appearing first in the southwest,
{
{spanish mission} color from the top down
Spanish-style dwellings merged
Old World sophistication with
rustic American West charm.
Details such as finely-crafted
wrought-iron accents, clay tiles,
and heavy doors added distinct
3
{
choose your main
color
}
4
{
Decorative Ceramic
Tile
select color for windows,
trim and shutters
3
}
character to the homes.
Choose Your Main Color
The exterior of a Spanish-style home was originally covered with stucco and
this dictated the color. The stucco was a mixture of lime, sand, and water.
The color of the stucco came from the aggregate. Lime was usually white
and thus so were many of the original Spanish-style homes.
Any variation in color came from adding local pigments to the aggregate.
The results were light tints of the colors found in the desert. In keeping with
that tradition I chose Ivory Tower for the main color.
It was the Panama-California
Exposition that helped spur the
Spanish eclectic architectural
movement of the early 1900’s
and it was the American movie
industry that glamourized life in
these home styles. In films, stars
4
Ivory Tower
5
{
find your front door
color
Southern Wood
}
{
door color is the same as
trim or shutters?
No
}
Shutters, when used on a Spanish-style home, are mounted on the interior
of the home rather than exterior. Most houses have only a single color on the
trim around the windows.
of their oversized Spanish-style
homes by day and entertained
guests in fancy cars arriving out
front by night.
Homeowners aspired to recreate
the dream of the lifestyle
captured in the movies. As a
result, wealthy people across the
5
You’ve Found Your
{FRESH} Color Scheme
On Spanish-style homes the combination of trim pieces that surround the
windows tend to be simple and flat. The trim is most often painted in brown,
terracotta or another rich hue inspired by the desert.
For this example, I chose Southern Wood, a muted orange-based color that
plays off of the color in the roof tiles, to be painted on the trim.
Yes
Suenos
lounged by their pools in back
Select Color for Windows, Trim & Shutters
country started building Span-
Find Your Front Door Color
In Spanish folklore it is said that painting the front door a shade of blue stops
evil spirits from entering the home. This fun conversation starter, along with
the fact that blue was perfect with the tiles around the entryway, made it my
choice for this home’s front door.
For the color azul (color blue in Spanish) I chose Suenos, a sun-washed blue
whose name means “dreams.” This lighter blue shows up in the shadows of
the alcove and feels cool and refreshing as people enter the home.
ish-style mansions in areas far
away from places of Spanish
heritage.
The most lasting legacy of the
Spanish style is the one-story
house that we know today as
the Ranch house. Its characteristic U-shaped floor plan with a
Is Any Other Color Needed?
protected patio in the courtyard
With their colorful roofs and clean lines, a little color can go a long way on
a Spanish-style home.
chos of the late 1830s, according
If additional colors are needed for your home, add them. Just always have
a reason for the additional color. For example, adding color to call
attention to the entrance or best features of your home is usually a good
reason.
– 25 –
derives from the California Ranto Realtor.com.
{european}
The use of slate tiles,
stucco and timber bring
Old World warmth to the
overall look of the home.
roof
The color and texture
of stone or brick draws
attention to the entry.
Aberdeen Blend
European Blend
Brownstone Blend
trim
Branchport Brown
Whale Gray
Barista
{FRESH}
color schemes
Danville Tan, Branchport Brown, English Walnut
door
English Walnut
– 26 –
Tarrytown Green
Mahogany
Imperial Gray, Whale Gray, Tarrytown Green
* Colors from Benjamin Moore
Antique White, Barista, Mahogany
– 27 –
Homes referred to as
European-style are
generally larger, elegant
looking homes rich
in exterior detailing.
Brick, stone and stucco
are commonly used in
combination to create a
look that is reminiscent
of Old World European
influences.
Most of these style
homes are 1-1/2- or
2-story structures.
Italian, Italianate, French
Country, Mediterranean,
and Tudor are specific
types of European-style
homes.
{
start at the roof
}
1
2
{
identify other colors that
need to be considered
No
Brownstone Blend
3
{
choose your main
color
}
4
{
find your front door
color
1
}
{
2
{
Start At The Roof
When choosing colors using my
The existing polymer slate roof is the Brownstone blend, which has a range of light
to dark tones of brown. Copper accent roofing over three windows on the home
complements the Brownstone blend and starts to bring color down the home’s
exterior.
FRESH approach, the colors that
Identify Other Colors That Need To Be Considered
A mix of fixed features such as stone and brick are often found on a
European-style home. This home has Antique White Old World Ledgestone
and Nassau Full Range Brick. Both have a reddish brown colorcast.
select color for windows,
trim and shutters
Yes
the exterior scheme.
}
}
solid color but a blend of many
colors. No matter how many
colors there are in natural stone
there is one color that is common
and in stone it usually is gray or
3
brown no matter how colorful the
Choose Your Main Color
When an exterior has several textures and patterns as this home does, the
main color usually looks best if it is in the same tones as the fixed features
rather than in a contrasting color. Antique White blends with the features
rather than competing with them for attention.
Good designs do not give equal importance to every element. Instead the
designer focuses attention on one or two features and allows the other
elements to provide support. Think of your home exterior in the same way as
you choose your colors and materials. Plan your colors so that one or two of
the best features stand out.
door color is the same as
trim or shutters?
No
are already established influence
to all. This is called the colorcast
Antique White Old Nassau Full Range
World Ledgestone Brick
Barista
}
{
identifying the
colorcast of stone
The surface of stone is not a
Yes
Antique White
5
Here are the steps for creating a FRESH color scheme
4
stone is.
Here are two different stone
surfaces with similar colors. One
has a brown cast and the other a
gray cast.
Appalachian Fieldstone
Select Color for Windows, Trim & Shutters
Use this same philosophy when selecting window or trim colors. Unless you
want to highlight the windows or trim look for a color that adds to a cohesive
overall look. For this home Chocolate Brown vinyl windows and Barista
Brown painted urethane trim were the perfect choices to extend the color of
the home throughout the exterior.
Quartize
Mahogany
You’ve Found Your
{FRESH} Color Scheme
{
{european} color from the top down
5
You can more easily see the
Find Your Front Door Color
colorcast by comparison. What
Often European-style homes sport a rustic, stained or painted door with
prominent hardware. In staying with the natural feel created by the stone,
brick and stucco, a door stained Mahogany was a good fit.
about determining the colorcast
of your existing stone? Look at
the grout for a clue. Is it more
gray, brown or another color?
Most often the grout color is the
same as the colorcast of the
Is Any Other Color Needed?
stone.
The many textures and tonal variations complete the look without
the addition of accent or other colors.
If the stone doesn’t have grout
then get out a paint fan guide
and find a color that blends in
most naturally to get you started
in the right direction.
– 29 –
{new american}
Multiple gables at varying
heights are a hallmark of
this style.
roof
Asymmetrical interesting
rooflines and gables of
varying sizes and heights
faced in a mix of materials
blends the best features of
many styles of homes.
Weathered Green
Slate Gray
Mountain Blend
windows
Taupe
Greige
Adobe
{FRESH}
color schemes
Tiffany Taupe, Taupe, Kennon Ivy Dark
door
Kennon Ivy Dark
– 30 –
Barry’s Babylon
Grand Teton Clay
Moss Green, Greige, Barry’s Babylon
* Colors from Ellen Kennon Full Spectrum Paints
Adobe, Taupe, Grand Teton Clay
– 31 –
The New American-style
combines the best of
many different elements
to create a home design
that is uniquely our own.
Born during the affluent
years of the 1990’s, the
New American-style
originally celebrated
living life “large” with
sizeable homes on big
lots.
Today, the New
American-style
encompasses homes
of all sizes that can fit
into any neighborhood,
budget or lifestyle
choice. A mix of
architectural influences
bring together easy
living, technological
innovations and a desire
for luxury.
{
start at the roof
1
}
Here are the steps for creating a FRESH color scheme
1
{
2
}
are there other fixed features
you need to consider?
No
Mountain Blend
2
Yes
Start At The Roof
This home has polymer shake roofing tiles in Mountain blend, which include
several shades of rich, dark browns. As in most New American homes, complex
rooflines feature multiple gables at varying heights. For added interest, the same
shake roofing tiles for this home are also applied to part of the siding to add
texture to the exterior.
{
choose main color
}
4
{
Adobe
5
{
select front door color
select color for windows,
trim and shutters
}
The Chablis-colored ledgestones seen around the entry are an eye-catching
detail on this home. The Mountain blend roof plays off the deep brown found
in the stone, leading to a stunning color palette beginning with the colors of
these two fixed features. Many asymmetrical façades in New American-style
homes include a mix of materials such as brick, stone, shake, siding and
stucco.
}
{
door color is the same as
trim or shutters?
No
Yes
Grand Teton
Clay
You’ve Found Your
{FRESH} Color Scheme
}
In recent years adding products
to the outside of a house in a
variety of colors has become
more accepted, and frankly, more
3
4
Taupe
colorful windows
Identify Other Colors That Need To Be Considered
Ledgestone
3
{
{
{new american} color from the top down
fun. The customization of a home
Choose Your Main Color
The dark brown color of the polymer shakes used on the siding sets the
stage for adding Adobe for the remaining siding color plus the gable
peaks. This color coordinates with both the mid-tone browns in the Chablis
ledgestones and the Mountain blend shakes of the roof and siding.
with color allows the personality
of the homeowner to stand out
and creates a warm, welcoming
message in the neighborhood.
Windows are one of the products
Select Color for Windows, Trim & Shutters
that have evolved from simple
A warm, neutral Taupe was chosen for the trim to provide a subtle break
between the colors and materials. The Taupe blends nicely with the
Driftwood-colored vinyl window frames, whereas a brighter white would have
drawn too much attention to the trim.
white or tan color options to bold
and beautiful. A selection of
colors including Brick Red, Pine
Green, Chocolate Brown and
even Bronze are now available
5
on low-maintenance vinyl window
Find Your Front Door Color
The style story I created for this home so far focuses on neutral colors and
natural textures. This sets the stage for a front door color that says, “Wow!”
This doesn’t mean I’m going away from my palette, but rather that I found a
color that was a harmonious fit and turned up the color volume a little.
The color I found fits ideally with the ledgestones. Then I searched for a
slightly more intense version of the color rather than matching it exactly.
Grand Teton Clay was perfect. Putting your paint chips right next to the
stone and matching a color exactly may seem like the best way to get the
color right, but look instead for a color that is a bit stronger than the color in
your stone. This gives you a better result that makes your entry door stand
out a bit.
frames and grids.
The really good news is that
window manufacturers today
understand that you may love the
look of a Brick Red window frame
on the outside of your home, but
it doesn’t have the same appeal
on the inside. That’s why they
offer “split color windows” where
you can have one color on the
exterior, and a different color on
Is Any Other Color Needed?
The only area that I didn’t address yet was the garage doors. I chose
to apply Adobe to them. I want the garage doors to blend in rather than
stand out. Painting to match the body color of the home keeps the eye
from being drawn to the garage doors. We want to keep the focus on
the more attractive features of the home such as the ledgestones, roof
shakes and the fabulous front door.
the interior. You can even request
woodgrain laminates on the
interior to complement your
furnishings and wood floors.
So go ahead and add color to
your window exteriors … it’s a
great way to increase the flow of
“top down color” on the outside of
– 33 –
your home!
{you’ve got your color}
{resources}
To create this guidebook, I worked closely with several companies, including DaVinci Roofscapes,
Fypon, Simonton Windows and Therma-Tru. I choose each company because they offer colorful,
high-quality, low-maintenance products that enhance a home’s exterior. I hope you will consider
working with these companies when choosing products for your home.
Kate Smi th
Congratulations, you’ve selected your colors!
Color has the power to communicate, to affect your mood and influence your environment so it
is important to choose wisely. By following these simple steps you have made good choices and
found a color scheme that works beautifully for your home and reflects your personal tastes.
DaVinci Roofscapes manufactures award-winning
Simonton Windows produces ENERGY STAR® qualified
maintenance free and far more cost effective than
doors, including a line of impact-resistant products. The
thickness, tile width variety and the greatest selection
outstanding customer service, dependable warranties
50-year limited warranty and are 100 percent
days or less under normal business conditions.
polymer slate and shake roofing tiles that are virtually
vinyl replacement and new construction windows and
natural products. DaVinci leads the industry in tile
company’s hallmarks include superior quality products,
of subtle earth-toned colors. Company products have a
and delivery of “made-to-order” vinyl windows in five
recyclable.
For information, visit www.simonton.com
For information, visit www.davinciroofscapes.com
or call 1-800-746-6686.
Fypon offers thousands of decorative millwork elements
Therma-Tru is the nation’s leading manufacturer and
and exterior of homes. Each piece is crafted from tough,
Therma-Tru pioneered the fiberglass entry door indus-
resistant to decay, insect infestation and water damage
patio door system solutions, including decorative glass
or call 1-800-328-4624.
Doesn’t it feel great to know in advance that you are going to love your new color scheme? That
you are going to be happy with the colors for the life of the quality exterior products (some with
warranties up to 50 years) that you are purchasing?
All it took was a little
{FRESH} thinking!
in a variety of architectural styles to enhance the interior
most preferred brand of entry doors. Founded in 1962,
weather-resistant, high-performance materials that are
try, and today offers a complete portfolio of entry and
for long-lasting beauty and low maintenance.
doorlites, sidelites and transoms, and door components.
For information, visit www.thermatru.com
For information, visit www.fypon.com
or call 1-800-537-8827.
or call 1-800-446-3040.
– 35 –
{about kate smith}
Color is her passion. Helping you to enjoy it understand it - have fun with it - go wild with it and use color confidently is her purpose.
Kate Smith is a color expert and career color trend
forecaster. Kate is a design lover, and color
inspiration maven. Above all, Kate is an
inspirational keynote speaker and seminar leader,
blending color theory and psychology into
entertaining and informative talks that bring color
to life.
{ sensationalcolor.com
}