(excerpts from Vicki
Payne's article ~ The Charlotte Observer)
Colour can evoke a visceral
response, whether for interior decorating, clothes, makeup or cars. It makes a first impression...accentuates
attributes...and softens flaws...and offers a glimpse into your
personality. The colours you choose can
also be influenced by many sources:
friends and neighbours, magazine photos, designs on TV shows...or by
experts who annually select what the 'big colours' will be in home décor, fashion and graphic
and industrial design. However, what's
hot today usually has a short lifespan.
Rather than chasing trends, you can be sure you'll be happy for years to come, by following a few guidelines
on choosing exterior colours for your home...whether 'new' or 'rehab'.
Deciding between
bright and cheerful colours or deep, rich earth tones
will influence all
other decisions.
You don't have to be a colour expert, but you should take
a little time to learn how colours work together...or find someone who does.
You'll want to make your home distinctive, but for the
sake of your neighbours, be considerate of your selections and surroundings.
Ensure that your choices in
siding and trim don't clash with materials
you are not planning to replace such as roof shingles, brick, stone and
tile.
The size and lot location of
your house matters. Light colours can
make a house look bigger...and dark colours can make it look smaller. If the house is set back in the lot, a lighter
colour can also make it look closer to the street.
Landscaping will continue to
grow and change colours as the seasons change...so trees, shrubs, and flowering
gardens need to be considered.
Use neutral colours to
de-emphasize things such as air conditioning units or gutters and downspouts;
use contrasting or accent colours to highlight such things as architectural
detailing, porch railings, windows and front doors.
Once you have selected your
colour palette...ensure the quality (and
warranties if applicable) of your product purchases...this is conducive to the
homeowner's 'peace of mind.'
Keeping your
home's exterior looking fresh and timely
doesn't have to be
challenging!
New Home
Construction
For several years I represented
builders as a Sales Person...often assisting the home-buyers with their
detailed purchase options...both exterior and interior decisions...from choices
of brick, siding, shingles and paint trim to cupboards and flooring, etc. In a
sizeable North Burlington survey, I purchased one of the builder's designs; he
advised me that my choice of lot would be the last one to be purchased (since
construction vehicles needed this lot to reach the rear of other homes under
construction).
Many customers selected brick of
standard tones...Burlington Beige (as we called it), brick reds, browns and
ivories with siding on the upper levels and shingles to co-ordinate. My choice of brick was a silver-gray with
charcoal roofing. Although the builder
included 'shutters' on the front windows, he was amazed that I requested them
on all windows...why not? I'd be
utilizing my back yard more than the front!
These he painted an 'indigo blue' ...very attractive! Then I added a front yard 'lantern-style lamp
post' from which I could hang exterior colourful wreaths with ribbons as
seasonal accents.
For the interior, although 2 or 3
carpet colour selections were available, I chose a light gray marble-patterned
ceramic flooring for the service areas and a silver-gray carpet to run
throughout...in living and dining rooms, the staircase runner, upper hallway
and all bedrooms. This neutral colour-scape allowed personal selections by each
family member...navies, wedgewood blues, pinks or rose...even tangerine for
décor accents. Such a 'joy' to create a colour scheme for both exterior and
interior!
My front gardens flowered with delphinium,
larkspurs, blue lobelia and rosebushes...accented with miniature evergreens
(dwarf conifers) e.g. mugo pines. The backyard housed a deck, utility shed (with shutters, of course) with
attached doghouse. Gardens of annuals
and perennials were my 'pride and joy'.
When my builder began
a new survey in Walker's Heights,
I fell in love with a
specific design ~ considering it a good investment,
I started all over
again...with a lot across from a parkette of trees and stream.
Merle
Baird-Kerr...written March 10, 2015
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