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Inspired Question: Exterior Paint Colors

Aug 25, 2009

Since my house has been featured in a couple of magazines (Fine Homebuilding's Houses, Spring 2009 and Northern Home & Cottage, Sept. 2007, dowload articles here), I've received a lot of questions about the colors I chose for the exterior. Last night, this question popped up in my in-box (Thanks, Jamey!):

"What were the exterior colors used on the house and garage in the latest issue of Fine Homebuilding? Also, what material was used for the board and batten? Nice job!" —Jamey, Lincoln, Massachusetts
 

The house is clad in fiber-cement siding, which is a very durable composite material made from sand, cement, and cellulose fibers. Some popular manufacturers are James Hardie and Certainteed. The battens (vertical strips that cover seams in the boards) on the lower portion of the house and the garage are natural cedar. The colors were mixed by the manufacturer, so I can't provide exact formulas, but I've come very close using a Sherwin-Williams fandeck.

Get the Farmhouse Modern look with paint:

• Lower half of the house: Iron Ore, SW-7069
• Upper half of house: Universal Khaki, SW-6150
• Dormers and garage: Flower Pot, SW-6334
• Trim and garage doors: Black Bean, 6006

Keys to achieving the style on your own home:

• Find natural architectural divisions and paint them contrasting shades.
• Use the red accent sparingly on the house. But if your garage is detached, cover it in red for a nod to traditional barns.
• Use the darkest shade on the bottom of the house to avoid a top-heavy look.
• The darker color scheme works best with dark shingles. A bit of metal roofing conjures agricultural structures but also adds a modern, utilitarian touch.

Have a design dilemma?

That's what I call an Inspired Question, and if you submit one with a photo it may be answered here on Room for Inspiration. You'll also be entered in a monthly drawing to win a $50 IRD gift certificate. Just ask me! I can help. —Diane

Photo is by the talented Brian Confer. See more of his work here.

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