fbmbirds


found this house on the site. Love the color. does anyone think it would flow?

mpoulsom you are obviously at the beach! :) why not a toned down version of your orange, like a pale salmon color or light peachy color....with a beautiful bright colored blue door. Where are you....I'm from sc and it looks very "south carolinian beachlike"?
And to be quite honest...I don't think the color you have now is bad.....just paint your door some cool color first! Doors are small and an easy thing to change if you don't like it.

fbmbirds lol the doors are sliding glass doors Im located in Surf City NC
I would like a toned down orange color but cant find a good one to photoshop it always comes out brighter.

decoenthusiaste Look for bittersweet color at the paint store. Maybe the company you like has a website where you can try before you buy.

mpoulsom look up "approaching autumn" a benjamin moore paint color. it may not be dark enough for you, but this is kind of the realm i was pondering. you could paint that solid door to the right for fun! and then place some big planters in a fun oceany color (blues, greens) to put on either side of the sliding glass doors.
or add some sort of awning over the sliding glass doors on both levels for color as well. you could keep the color you have on the house and put your color in the awnings. it would make a huge difference and give it some detail. I think a sage green on the house with peachy colored awnings and soft white trim would be beautiful!
i'm extremely jealous of your house and it's location..btw! one day, one day, i will buy a house at the beach! i don't even care if it's a small shack!! lol!

yoder178 I very much prefer your color to either of your neighbors' homes. I would do as some others suggested by adding some interest by painting the front door a bright, welcoming color and adding awnings possibly. Adding some colorful flowering bushes to the front and around the mailbox would add some spice also. I like to add an over-sized number plaque to the front somewhere, black numbers with a stark white background will stand out nicely, I would not add other design or colors for maximum effect. Good luck.

larryhinkle I got a light blue vibe off your house the minute I saw it! You can do another shade of light blue regardless of your neighbors.

I love orange too. My only issue with your orange choice is that it makes the house feel "modern". I would like to see some more modern elements added so it doesnt look so 80's

fbmbirds Also since you mentioned aqnings what type would look good and where should i place it? One on the master bed room and one on the main walkway?

cocinera surely you put awnings where you need them? to keep out the sun? so the house doesn't get too hot? anyway, i think they'd look awful on your somewhat sea ranch style house.

if you need to shade your house, build out some of those louvered shades--don't know what to call them but they're made from boards set parallel to the side of the house and separated from each other by 6 inches or so, and paint them to match the trim.

frankly, your gray house with white trim is the classiest looking of the three. that robin's egg blue is tacky tacky tacky and the yellow is anemic. take your colors from your natural surroundings, the sand, the sea, the sky...

larryhinkle Im with cocinera.. awnings? really? and where?

But being the beach you are allowed to go a bit crazy with color and use Pinks and brights or what ever.

lefty47 HI -- Have a look at Benjamin Moore's "Amsterdam Blue " it's a very classy color for a house. The color in your example photo is great too , look at (BM's) " Rusty Nail" might be close.

fbmbirds IDK about the blues, I mean i want to stand apart for the other homes. i think a netural color would be good but just cant rap my fingure around it yet. Maybe its already looking me in the face?

fbmbirds Ok so i had this other photoshop of a blue i liked.

Ideas
to much conflict with the other house. I just dont know any more

stylepink195 I love the blue what about adding black shutters with black outside lights. Giving it some contrast and the house on the other side is more bright greenish and so this would help the house to stick out.

cocinera very pretty...i like it
black shutters...NOT!

AMN I think the blue is fine. Who cares about the other house.
As long as you don't paint it the exact same color as theirs, it should be fine.

larryhinkle in the new picture I see you have that "interior" space. Thats a perfect spot to add the pop of color you seem to want.

If you are really brave you could even do a reverse color scheme. The main part could be white and you could add color the stairs/deck and SOME of the trim

fbmbirds i guess if i wasnt so close to the other house. But then again i dont wany any conflicts in colors.
The black shutter idea sounds like a good idea. I just need to figure out how to put them on the windows that are not square.

And the reverse color scheme could would but i dont see it happining. way to much of a change.

Let me upload a house that is the blue i want.

I was thinking of doing the Big BOLD address number thing on the house like on that one wall to the right where there is a light. if the house was to be painted blue i would do a white outline and then big black numbers.

thanks for all the ideas.

fbmbirds I mean i really dont care about the other houses around me. I just dont want to take away from my place. I want to stand out and look good.

jmanville5 I do like the orange but do agree it could lend it self to a more modern vibe. But if this is a second home it might be nice to do something different. I also like the second picture you uploaded. The blue is very pretty and does stand out. Keep everything thing white. Black shutters are too heavy for the beach. Maybe even brightening up the driveway with fresh crushed shells or stone. Enjoy!

fbmbirds I just wish someone with really good photo shop skills could do a few dif colors of my house with the other 2 houses and see what contrast better..

michigammemom You might consider a dark charcoal gray exterior with your white trim. The gray would coordinate well with the adjacent houses, while the dark color would distinguish your house from the others. Sorry, but I am not a fan of the orange and would not want my home referred to as "that wild orange house down the street".:)

fbmbirds ^^^^^
Very nice didnt even think of a darker blue/gray color that house does look good. really need to get a color and photo shop it. AWwwwww This is driving me crazy i just want to find the right color and get the house painted. I love that Green door. Could do something like that on the downstairs shower.

larryhinkle if you browse Houzz for beach houses... i would say the majority are in dark grays... but they seem more california modern than east coast traditional styles

AMN Did some fiddling around so you can get an idea of what several colors will look like next to other houses. I'm probably going to have to attach these in at least two different responses. These are not any specific colors from any brand. They're just chosen to give you an idea of what a certain shade might look like. (response 1/2)

AMN Did some fiddling around so you can get an idea of what several colors will look like next to other houses. I'm probably going to have to attach these in at least two different responses. These are not any specific colors from any brand. They're just chosen to give you an idea of what a certain shade might look like. (response 2/2)

fbmbirds ^^^^ OMG thats so nice how did u do that

fbmbirds Also i was wondering does anyone think it would look weird if i did a 2 tone color? like the front parts where the sliding doors are would be one color then the rest would be another color?

larryhinkle i think your house is modern enough that it could handle 2 tone or more creative painting.

fbmbirds I just dont know the color. I really want to do something 2 tone. just on the front i mean the sides will be the main color and just on the front walls where the 2 sliding doors will have the other color. and maybe the bottom where the outside shower is. I just dont know.

larryhinkle probably at this point you best bet is to go get samples and get a some paint up to how it works. I recently did some exterior painting and I think it looks great on the street but dont really love the color when im 5 feet away

AMN I agree with larryhinkle. Take comfort in the fact that you have thoroughly considered all options in your head, on the computer screen, and with us.

It is now time to start trying stuff in real life.

fbmbirds Well easier said than done. Im not home right now. Currently in afghanistan working but as soon as i get home the wife and I will be looking. I just wanted to get some ideas. thanks for the help.

Terri fbmbirds:
I can't believe I came across your dilemma. My husband and I just bought a house in a Carolina Beach community (we are not on the ocean, but 6 houses away) and the color on either side of our house is the same exact colors as those that flank your home! We too are going crazy trying to figure out a color for our house, which is currently a gray/blue that we are not crazy about. We have gone from light and airy blues to deep blue/greys, or reds that rival the sunset and pale corals. Our neighborhood supports mostly lighter pastel colors but there are several houses already that have painted outside that box and are very vibrant. I wish I had a picture of my neighbor's homes but I never took one. We are thinking of a blue that has less green it. Photo attached of our house now. We hired a painter for the first week of October so we need to decide fast! I wish I had photoshop!

fbmbirds Yea while i am not in a community i guess i could paint my house bright pink lol. But i know how you feel. What was the quote they gave you for painting the house? Also yea its hard thinking about the right color. there isnt alot of choices.

Terri I found a pic of the house next door with the pale creamy yellow but I believe if you look closely at my house pic you can see a little bit of the turquoise house next door to the right of the photo.

We are currently waiting for an estimate from one guy who came highly recommended by others - we think he'd be the highest estimate (according to neighbors they've paid $4 - 5000). Just had someone else give us a quote of $2200. Both guys included power washing, calking and some paint scraping in their quote.

Hmmm...bright pink huh? Let me at least share a pic of the house across the street from us lol.

mpoulsom fbmbirds.....i will shut up after this post, but i just thought of something. had you considered doing a metal roof for your color and then keep the house neutral. The darker picture paint color would be for the base of the house, the lighter color the trim color, and the last pic will be a chart for different metal roof color choices. you would be different/individual from the other beach houses and stand out, but without the possibly "tacky factor". AND metal roofs are supposed to last 3 times as long as regular shingle roofs and stand up to extreme weather conditions. And no, I do not sell metal roofing, although it may sound like it! HA!
(If you think this may be an option, i'll try and find a house picture with a colored metal roof and neutral house.)
p.s. i love the royal blue on this chart, but you could use many others if you keep your house color in neutrals (grays, browns, tans, etc.)

Terri There's a house in my beach community that is painted Valspar's Newport Grey (I know because he showed me the paint can), which is actually a blue color and they have bright white railings and a silver/white metal roof. Every time I passed it I thought "how pretty" and then it struck me - I loved the contrast of the silver/white metal roof with the rich blue gray. It is the only house with a bright roof (that I know of) but it really works. Course you only get one shot at something like that.

fbmbirds Yea i do like the idea of a metal roof and was thinking about that. I think i would get it when the house needs a new roof. I mean if it isnt broke dont fix it. but then again if i kept on with that mind set the house would stay the same color and nothing would get done.

Terri If you are thinking of a metal roof sometime down the road, my suggestion would be to choose a paint color you can visualize with the color metal roof you might like to get one day. You may have to live with a bit of a mismatch for a while but at least it will work out in the end.

We were up late last night looking at blues yet again. I love Benjamin Moore's, "Wythe" and "Stratton Blue", but hubby wants a bold NY Giants Blue. I'm very afraid that if the color is too dark we'll be painting it every year or else watching one side of the house fade from the direction of the sun. And now I'm thinking of a metal roof...

fbmbirds Yea i looked at the Wytheblue and when i did it in photo shop its the color my house is now. So i dont know.

Terri That's what my husband said about our house - not enough of a difference compared to what it is now, ergo the NY Giant's blue with a hint of teal. Actually it's a color by Behr called Royal Breeze, but it sure is a deep color.

mpoulsom I think you should both do the metal roof thing!! seriously!
and to Terri, if hubby needs G-men blue, make THAT the roof color, I would be afraid of the fading factor as well. :)
Keep the bases of the house in neutrals (grays, light browns, taupes (sandy, driftwood colors) with off-white trims...and then if you need another pop of color, doors or whatever accessories you want to use on the outside of the house. It really would be beautiful.
If you sent a photograph of your houses to a metal roofing company, I bet they could set it up so that you could click on any color roof you might be interested in and really be able to visualize how nice this would be. I know I said I would shut up earlier, but alas, here i am again. lol
And one other thing....the reason I say off-white trim instead of white is because from what I understand, white shows more dirt than off-white trims. This may be a misconception, but I have read that several different times. FYI

Terri mpoulsom
lol on the g-men blue! Better for the roof, agreed.

fbmbirds


What about this color with white outline around windows and white decks. then the same color metal roof?

Possibly black shutters

Ideas?

judyg


Brown! Possibly BM Alexandria Beige? It will look great between the blue and yellow houses and then you can choose a fab color for the door....a yummy color like the purple phlox ground cover.

fbmbirds Yea i give up on the color will just have to put that on hold.

summer_night5 To keep that beachy flavor you can paint the house a lighter shade of the present color and an even lighter shade of the present color where the entrance is. This keeps it in the shades of driftwood, a rather classy touch.You are dealing with a very brown roof color and until you are able to replace it, softening the present color would work. I would also add some flowering shrubs in the front. Something with a blue flower would give you the blue touch you feel would work. Maybe some bright blue chairs. This color would actually coordinate better with the pink and the aqua house colors. I wouldn't be surprised if the people in the yellow house repainted.

lorik914 What about a cool lilac shade??

fbmbirds So i gave up on the house color. Personally its starting to grow on me. plus i just got a gate installed. Still need to paint it White but the house is slowly coming together.

Also got a fence installed. thinking about staining it vs Painting. thoughts?

fbmbirds Still trying to figure out a good color. Please anyone

Terri Hi fbmbirds, it's been awhile - are you back in the house color mode or just fence color? I still like both of the blues that AMN photoshopped for you as well as the blue you liked early on (I don't think it's too close to your neighbor's color at all). But if you want to go with a different color I think something with a periwinkle (bluish purple) would be nice too. We were warned not to go too dark, especially in a red tone because the sun fades it so much you'll come home to a pink house one day - and usually only on the sunniest side.
I think your fence came out great! We put one in too last month too (hubs cut it to look like waves) and with the house paint color finally on it's slowly all coming together. (So it was goodbye faded, peeling dull blue and hello to a much brighter BM Stratton Blue with a front door in BM's Semolina - an orangy yellow).
We're probably not going to paint our fence, but we thought we'd let it dry out a bit and then decide if we want to put on a light natural or maybe a driftwood gray stain. Most of our neighbors have let their fences age naturally but maybe the fence would last longer with some sort of sealer. I know that paint requires so much maintenance by the beach.
I attached some pictures of our progress and the finished house. This spring we'll tackle the landscaping, a new walkway and our outdoor shower. Walked the beach today with hubs and the dog - 73 sunny degrees and a beautiful North Carolina surf. I wish you well with your choices - I know how hard this decision is.

fbmbirds I dont know about the blue any more. The next door house color is a teal and it just feel like there is to much conflict. Is there any way someone could photoshop different shades of red for me? I cannot get photoshop to make the red look right.

coty

solraven If this was my house, I would paint it a true bright orange, something that would compliment the bright turquoise next door. Being a beach house, I think that it should have a more playful, fun color scheme. You're next door neighbor has done a great job of raising up the energy in the neighborhood. Just looking at that house puts me in a vacation/relaxing/beach state of mind. If you're house color was just as cheerful, as I was driving down the road, I would probably say, "Ooooo.... looking at these pretty houses." One house, is pretty, but two multiplies the beauty of both.

BTW, when I saw your house, I immediately thought it was in Top Sail, NC. Last time I was in Top Sail was about 20 yrs ago, so imagine my surprise that you were one town over. :)

stylepink195 What is everyone's thoughts about doing grey it is a beach house, but what about grey and a bright colored door and roof? Thoughts?

bmelvin I would definitely stay away from any shade of blue. It seems like they all clash with your neighbor's blue house. I like the Approaching Autumn color someone else chose. But I also like the color it is now. I think some nice big planters in just the right color would look great on your balconies and provide that pop of color. Good luck!

fbmbirds

fbmbirds Im really starting to think a grey color. like the above photo.

Sigrid As long as you don't paint it the same shade or one or two shades off, your house will look fine. Don't waste your time worrying about clashing --- no one will think they clash. And anyway, your neighbor could repaint their house another color or sell it to someone who hates the color. Your paint should last for 10-20 years and there's no guarantee your neighbor will take your house into count when he repaints, so why go with second best.

Paint versus stain depends on your siding and your area. Talk to your painter.

I planned to paint by dull bluish gray house a darker, bluer color. By the time my husband and I managed to agree on a color, there were 15 swatches painted on the back of the garage and it was a lot darker and a lot bluer. It looks great! But it's probably a bit too similar to the house across the street, something we didn't pay attention to when picking a color. I'm so happy with the way my house looks, that I can't be bothered to care about whether the street would have been better off with more different colors in the two houses.

Chroma Natrix What fun to have such a great beach house! Maybe you could consider working with the colors of the neighboring homes to create a harmonious flow between the three. In this analagous color grouping, you provide a green that falls between the yellow and blue on the color wheel and retains the fresh colorful summer palette of your neighborhood.

Chroma Natrix Another possibility would be to add another analagous color to the group.... periwinkle blue.

Chroma Natrix And one more green.... note that you might get a sleek, uncluttered appearance by painting the white louvers the color of the walls.

fbmbirds Thank you for the responses. As far as going with a green I was thinking about that and im thinkng if i do decide to paint it i want to go with something different.

I like the idea of going grey because it is netural and would make the house stand out.

I know its not a real beachy color but i figure i can spruse up the house with colorful shutters and flowers.

coty

Chroma Natrix You mentioned red. That would create a sort of primary color scheme with the yellow and blue homes beside you.

Chroma Natrix And a sort of variation on your original orange idea. Sort of a persimmon... BTW... thought would be to paint the fence white if you keep the trim white on the house, no matter the color of the walls.

fbmbirds Chroma Natrix can you do one in the grey that ive mentioned? I cannot get photo shop to do it correct.

Coty

solraven Orange or even a deep gold. I think the gold house will drown out the pale yellow house next door, but I think that house is too pastel. Almost any deep color will overshadow it.

bmelvin I'm totally liking the green hues you've shown lately. They blend well with the neighbors' houses, but set you apart by a long shot!

bmelvin Especially the lighter green. I'm now enthralled with it.

decoenthusiaste I like the green posted by AMN 4 months ago.

bmelvin OK. I think I've made up my mind. (Ha, that's funny, since it's your house.) I LOVE the first green house in AMN's suggestions from 4 months ago. It's PERFECT!!!

Chroma Natrix Ok, per your request, here are some greys! Good luck!

Chroma Natrix with orange door

Chroma Natrix Grey-Green

Chroma Natrix dove grey

Tres McKinney Design You live in a community so there is nothing wrong with your house being harmonious with your neighbors. You re not in the Bahamas where the venacular is brightly colored houses. Your existing gray or a darker shade is your best option for standing out next to the pale yellow house on one side and blue on the other. A pastel or bright color is just going to look like another Easter egg. A bright colored door and colorful landscaping will set you apart. Minimize that driveway and add colorful plantings as JudyB recommends. Check out Houzz landsape designers and garden articles for colorful beachside plantings and great ideas.

fbmbirds ^^ Yes i plan on cleaning my drive way up a bit. It needs slimmed down on the right side and thats exactly what i plan on doing this summer. As for the paint i am leaning towards the greyish color. I will have to hold off on the paint because i just found out the windows i want for my house will set me back 14k.

Coty

Brooke Olson I love the orange!!! Some black and white stripe awnings or just one would look fantastic.

Brooke Olson And a turquoise door!

fbmbirds I dont know ive been thinking and maybe a fresh coat of green paint might bring the life back to my house. Because i am betting my paint is just old and faded.

coty

Marie Hebson's interiorsBYDESIGN Inc. I love the OJ - but I'd want you to have something that colour downand into the yard like a huge vase or planter filled with flowers!

fbmbirds man i tell ya the down sides to home ownership.

aladdintn I like the green and persimmon colors ^.

solraven It's a good downside to have! Here's for more "downsides" like this one! :)

fbmbirds lol i guess.

JWinteriors A blue gray color with white trim would not compete with the robins egg blue

fbmbirds what do you mean robins egg blue? as in the next door house?

fbmbirds I think when the time comes to paint the house i will just go with a light green color. or a shade of green that suites the house.

coty

fbmbirds


Well i think i just found the color theme i was looking for.

What do you think?

decoenthusiaste It will be very pale and washed out next to your turquoise neighbor, but will look great with the yellow one. I still think the one AMN posted 5 months ago will work with both neighbors and will stand on its own.

fbmbirds
Here is another angle of that house in the color.

Also the Turqoise house to the left of mine is very very bright.

the yellow is very very washed out.

solraven I agree with deco. It's a gorgeous house, but it's very muted and will look washed out unless it's next to all pale houses or on it's own.

CMR Interiors & Design Consultations Inc. I think you haven't found the right shade. It also has to compliment the two colors next door neither of which are great. So the exact right shade of coral would be nice. I didn't see it on this thread....loved the landscaping ideas though. Don't paint the offset door a different color. Doesn't need it. Its a distraction.

solraven I think coral or orange would look great as well. A bright grass green, will look nice, but coral or orange will really make this house pop.
Remember, fbmbirds, paint is a low commitment. I'm having my house painted now, and changed the color on the back of the house three times. Our painter said that once the house had been prepped, repainting it another color was easy.

On your very first picture, you showed us an orange/coral house. Something tells me you know that's what will look best, but the color is so out of your comfort zone, that you're afraid to pull the trigger. I understand. I've spend more on samples than paint, because I was afraid to just paint it. I finally realized that my first inclination, was almost always, right.

creativetkr Love the bright green color (there is a house in DuckNC that color and it is awesome). However, personally I like your color. We selected a dark grey for our beach house. Then kicked it up with salmon doors, chairs and flowers. When I get tired of the salmon I can change the accents to another color (ie. teal or bright blue whatever) and not have the cost of painting again. We did add additional white trim where possible - like under the eaves and a nice wide white border band at the bottom.
You seem torn on the color. So, consider adding accent color for now. Some really colorful adirondack chairs (love the heavy duty ones made from recycled plastic, they holdup well under the harsh conditions). Possible chair colors - 1). repeat teal from the house, 2). go all out coral/orange or 3). add the bright green. You can add other accents like big flower pots in your chosen color. Just keep everything the SAME ONE accent color. Bigger impact when all the same. Even consider add a few Bermuda shutters. They now come in great colors. Maybe add them to your window on the side of your house. Saw some really great salmon colored ones recently. Colorful and have a great storm protection value too.

fbmbirds Yea im about to just give up. I thought at one point in time a terra-cotta color but that seemed crazy at the time.

I just want something easy on the eyes.

fbmbirds


I really like this color orange but idk how it would look on my house.

Chroma Natrix Per your request, this is an approximation of your color. Your example has either morning or evening light on it, whereas your house is shown on the shaded side mid-dayish? It's a somewhat muted color.. lighter and less saturated and more pink than pumpkin. Beware of choosing a color too light or too saturated (intense). In my experience, people who use swatches to choose color often pick colors too strong and too light. You've probably seen some of those garish bright colors on houses. My friend's "adobe" bathroom turned out looking like strawberry bubble gum. You get the picture. Usually a mistake they made because they didn't try it on the space, and selected it just from the swatch. I'd get a couple of quarts, and try it on a couple of areas. Then if you THINK you like it, buy a gallon or two and paint a big visible section before you buy enough for the whole house. Look at in all light situations. Also, be aware that the gray color will make any color look pretty intense by comparison while you're painting. I once painted a subtle grey-green over khaki, and I panicked until it was done because it looked so intensely green next to the other color. Best of luck!

Chroma Natrix It might look more like this because it's in shadow.

ispeakwhale Salmon!!!! With grass green and white striped awnings. I would be in heaven in this house!

fbmbirds


Well i think im going to do it. Ive spoke with a contractor about a metal roof and might just get my house painted the rainwashed color and a silver roof.

What do you guys think?

Yes i know light colors might just blend in but i have so much green around my house i dont really care.

I just want my house to flow from top to bottom and not be broken up into may sections like it is now.

fbmbirds or this

fbmbirds the two links i just posted would be the idea i want to go with. Silver roof with a light green siding. Nothing to extreme but very easy on the eyes

Chroma Natrix If it's unity you're looking for, using less contrast will offer that, and the silver roof/light grey-green siding and white trim are low contrast. More visually calm. Higher contrast adds more complexity/clutter/excitement. It depends on what you're looking for.

Chroma Natrix Another way to visually unify might be to add a set of garage doors. You can do it barn door sliding style and match the louvers on the left.

fbmbirds Hello,

here is the most uptodate current picture of my house as it sits now.

As you can see ive got a custom gate for the opening.

Chroma Natrix Does it need paint now? Does it need a roof now? If not, I'd leave it until you are clearer on what you want. It's a nice neutral color. If those are ok for now, and you have money you want to spend on improvements, I'd get a landscape architect to give you some ideas on how to re-do the driveway and landscaping. Free advice... worth exactly what you paid for it :-)

fbmbirds yea true damit. might just wait now

coty

maybelle_joy_love Maybe a pale green.

Chroma Natrix I was trying to decide why this cute home didn't look inviting.
1. Not many windows
2. Big bunch of foliage covering the entry to the stairway (the way in looks barricaded).
3. The door is solid, with no sidelight or window, and no window nearby.
4. Confusing architecture needs unification.

How about giving the door some color, getting rid of the big bush in front of the stairs, make a "fake" window using a louvered arch that matches the one on the opposite side of the building. Make the bottom line up with the other one. Make the top line up with the top of the front door, and center it in the space the same as the one on the left side.

Narrow the driveway and add some grass or other lower shrubs.

Make a "fake" window using a painted windowframe attached to the wall to get rid of that big blank in the middle of the entry level. You could also use a cute adirondack bench with an interesting back shape to add interest to that space if the window frame is too much.
Last thoughts. Good luck!

solraven Oh wow, Chroma! It's so cute... I think you're right. Painting it when you aren't sure, and it doesn't need one doesn't make any sense right now. You might be getting rid disliked color, for another. I totally agree with you about the the lack of front windows. My guess is that the back of the house is ALL windows! =) I would even put another faux window above it, but a smaller one.

calikym I like the color it is already. It's so nice. Just add some curb appeal.

stylepink195 I agree that big bush in front of the stairs needs to go all together. The driveway does need to be shaped straight too. I also agree with the smaller flowerbed in front of the stairs to wrap around the whole bottom of the stairs down below and just take out that bush.

fbmbirds yea i like the idea of getting rid of that bush it is big and does block alot.

i will have to look into the window idea but the house does have a total of 15 of them only 1 on the front tho.

fbmbirds Hello,

I figured i would let you all know what is going on as of now.

I will be getting a louvered wall build on the left side of my house to match the front.

Getting the new Impact windows to replace my original windows from 1988

and going to go ahead and make the move for the Aluminum standing seam roof.

Trying to figure out what color to go with and im really just thinking the silver/greyish like ive posted before.

Not to thrilled on the price of all this but i figured its gonna get done someday might as well do it.

As for the Paint gonna just hold off and do the landscaping to see if that helps.

V/R

Coty

stylepink195 It sounds like you have made choices to approve the appearance on your home and good ways to improve energy efficiency with new windows and aluminum roofing. I was noticing it doesnt appear that you have grids in your windows now. I enjoy the look of grids in windows that may be an option to improve the looks of your home. I would go with the no paint on the aluminum roof it would match with many color. Unless your house needs to be painted I like the color it is now . Make sure to post pics once all the work is completed it will be nice to see the before and afters.

ann I like the Salmon with white, or a pale peach and sand trim

mveasey Why don't you take a drive around the extended neighbourhood when you get back and look around...might just find that perfect colour on a house with your southern beach light. I would not rush things. Enjoy your new home, don't fret over the "smaller stuff".

fbmbirds Ive been driving around and checking out the other homes in the area. I think the new roof will really make the house pop, plus give me a piece of mind.

The windows also will be getting redone so that will also give me a piece of mind.

Just looking forward to this summer and doing some serious landscaping.

V/R

Coty

fbmbirds here are some pictures of the house just for fun. and these pictures really show the need for some sort of landscaping in the front. So that will be my number 1 thing to do when i get back

stylepink195 What are you planning on doing with the driveway?

fbmbirds I was thinking of just doing concrete

sharpkl I actually like your color house. If you want to add a pop why not so it with magenta flowers and greenery? You could do a lot with accents since the house is basically neutral.

fbmbirds What about the fence? Should i paint it WHITE? or just stain it?

The Color People So many colors? If you like blue, go with blue. You will need to use a light blue and it will have to be a little bit to the turquoise side so that it will flow with the house next door. The light color will insure you look different as the neighbors house is quite dark. It will go with the yellow house. With a light colored blue you will insure your house looks more tasteful than your brash neighbor. Blues get out of hand really easily (which is what likely happened to your neighbor) So it is essential to sample. Paint at least a 4'x4' sample where the siding meets the trim. Tape up some newspaper around it so that you can see the color unaffected by the existing color.
Keep the trim white but use a warm white instead of a white white. Do all the trim and the fence in this white.
The house can be blue and pleasing to you and look special and unique while blending in. So stick to your instincts. Good luck

sharpkl The colors in this house are great. Notice the garish fences below. Not obtrusive but still blend color wise.

sharpkl Grayish

fbmbirds I just wanted to let everyone know that my Louvered Project will be started today. I will post pics as soon as its done.

fbmbirds Alright So here is a quick Pic of the project. And you have to remember I am not currently there right now and my wife is the one making all the moves. Im currenlty half way around the world.

Vivian Rase The first blue you posted was beautiful and on my screen reads quite different from the one next to you. Please...NO black shutters. This house looks beachy and black shutters would detract from that vibe

fbmbirds Yea im gonna hold off on the shutters. but the blue i think i wanted in the start was like this house Daniel Island

but after some thinking i think this is the color im trying to go for, Split level coastal

its a lighter shade.

stylepink195 lighter blue is nice

fbmbirds Yea im considering the light blue or a light green for the house. Waiting on my New roof to get installed in a week or 2. Then will go from there.

I will post new pics of the finished Louverd Wall

stylepink195 What color are you going to paint the louvers? White or tan like in those pics you just posted.

fbmbirds Ok so here is the finished Product. I still need to figure out a color to paint the louvers including the front and gate. Also need to figure out what color to paint the fence. But its comings along.

stylepink195 It looks so much better with the louvers. I think the louvers should be painted white, not to sure on what color you would paint the fence.

fbmbirds Looking forward to getting my new windows and Roof installed next

fbmbirds Here is another close up shot of the finished product atleast on the left side of the house.

Looking forward to cleaning up the cables and getting things painted.

decoenthusiaste Green is good, as I've always thought. Do use white on the trim and louvers.

Vivian Rase It turned out lovely

fbmbirds Ill post Pictures when my new Windows and Roof get installed.

Im also waiting on a quote for louvers on the right side of my house to replace the lattice thats inside the fence.

I will keep you all posted.

fbmbirds Also my wife hacked that big bush in the front of my house. I think once the stairs get some paint on them and the flower bed fixed up a little the front is going to look nice.

DIAspoton corasl , lavender or periwinkle. all with white trim

Chroma Natrix Wow, you get things done! It's looking good. I definitely vote white on the fence to match the louvers and remaining trim.

fbmbirds My question is how much more of a hassel will it be to keep the paint up on the fence vs just staining it?

I dont want to have to paint the fence every other year or something because the white is peeling or looking faded.

Jeanne Simply said, I absolutely LOVE the color of your home. I'm not sure why anyone would paint their home/cottage a bright or pastel color, like something out of a candy dish. I am from Wisconsin and am all about classic, timeless colors...greens and greys. If you feel you need to paint your home I would suggest a dusty medium grey or a green/grey. Add color to your home by planters of brightly colored flowers on your decks. Your home has a very sophistocated look - stick with it.

kimdee24 I used Behr Fence and Siding Solid Color stain (white) on my fence and I think I repainted once in ten years. It's a vertical surface so fences tend to hold up better than flat surfaces like decks and stairs.

fbmbirds Yea i think im gonna really hold off and worry about the paint color when the house really needs it. Right now im only concerned on the new things thats going to add to the house like a new roof and new windows.

Also i just got a quote from my builder for the louvers for the rest of the underside of the house and I think they are going to start tomorrow.

Ill post pics of the finished project. Cant wait.

fbmbirds I am going to add a fresh coat of paint to the decks and stain the floor boards. Figure out a plan for the Landscaping but all in all its coming together.

fbmbirds So here are a few more pics of the current Project.

stylepink195 You going to paint that ceiling? Looks like everything is coming together. You have a lot of painting to do you must have your hands full. The louvers do make it look more complete.

fbmbirds Yes the celing is going to get a fresh coat of paint and some new lights. Plus all the louvers will be painted. Here are some morning pics.

Vivian Rase I want to be there NOW.

fbmbirds I want to be there also but will not be able to until AUG

fbmbirds Here are the most current pics of the louvers. about 90% done.

V/R

Coty

fbmbirds Now as for the opening in the back and side i was thinking about setting up some sort of outdoor curtian that will be held back most of the time but able to close when maxium privacy is needed. Ideas?

Coty

stylepink195 It looks amazing wow. The louvers line up really well with each other too when can we see pics of the louvers painted white? Im sure that will make a load of difference.

sharpkl FYI

fbmbirds ^^^ Yes ive added that to my idea book. I do really love the color theme of those homes.

fbmbirds Alight so here is the finished product that still needs to be painted.

fbmbirds Here are the before Pictures to just compair.

fbmbirds Atleat now i will have a little more protection from the elements and have some nice privacy.

stylepink195 WOW What a difference. Once that is painted that will really look complete. Your back yard looks so relaxing with how the trees are.

fbmbirds Yep its coming along. Need to plan some grass but all in all Im looking forward to summer

fbmbirds So i just got the roof finished.
Please tell me what you think

Vivian Rase You don't waste time do you? Looks awesome. Now I'm curious about the interior....any plans?

Sandra Burndred looks great. well done.

fbmbirds But yea i think im gonna pull the trigger on the Weathered Mist DCL030 or Sullivans Island DCL019 For the house color.
http://duron.com/products/collections/color_palettes/color_palettes.asp?id=3
Its a Carolina Lowcountry Collection Paint Color.

fbmbirds Ok here is more pics these really show the true nature of the house.

stylepink195 I love the roof. Your house truely looks amazing and your house really stands out now. What all are you planning to still do?

fbmbirds Well i talked it over with the wife and we decided once the windows are installed we are going to maybe wait a few weeks and then get the house painted. Once the house is painted there is only little thing to do until we get the place to our standards.

Vivian Rase I don't know if you have defintively chosen your new color, but this is my favorite beachy look ever for your consideration.

fbmbirds ^^ whats teh color called?

Vivian Rase I know off the top of my head that the shutters are sherwinn williams wyeth blue. Let me see what I can find about the house color.

fbmbirds I just dont know if that color siding will look right with the style of siding i have.

fbmbirds So yea im thinking of going Duration by SW paint color Rainwashed.

stylepink195 Duration is a good brand it will last longer versus cheaper brands. As long as you are paying professionals you are paying for labor it is much better to go with a brand that will last longer, so you get years out of your paint since you are paying the same amount of labor no matter what. Rainwashed is a real pretty color. I think its a great color to chose with the color roof you chose and your neighbors colors. You def dont want a real bright color, so you are not known as that house with the crazy color. What color are you doing your floor boards? Have you chosen a color for your louvers? I remember you said about painting them a different color besides white. Its looking good so far.

fbmbirds Yes i just wish there were more pictures of homes that are Rainwashed colored. Take this picture for example.




I just love the look of that color beside the white trim. I think its gonna make my house look calm vs the bland color it is now.

fbmbirds So my house is gonna be painted in under a month,

I cannot decide what paint to pick.

I got it down to a light blue green color.

http://www.materials-world.com/paint-colors/sherwin_williams/fundamentally_neutral/sw_neutral_07.htm

http://www.materials-world.com/paint-colors/sherwin_williams/color_options/sw_color_options_06.htm

Im thinking either Rainwashed or Tidewater Below is a compairson between the two

http://www.youstirme.com/2011/01/craft-room-update.html

V/R

Coty Lake

rredpenn Great job so far! Louvers and the roof have made a huge difference. I love the inspiration photo you posted... go for it!

fbmbirds gonna get the wife to go out and get several samples and test it out before we decide on the finial color

fbmbirds OK ladies and Gentalmen. Here are 10 colors on my house please help me choose. I will let you know which color is which once i get some input.

libradesigneye Top row, center blue-green, four in from left. Has enough heft to stand up to the street, shame the neon house one over into feeling gaudy, be the gorgeous place you envisioned all along. Second choice top row end right, color but muted to a beach weathered feeling. All others too white or too light to be effective on a large elevation.

fbmbirds Well i will let you know that Rainwashed is middle bottom color.

Chroma Natrix Color Top Row fourth from left could look like this:

Chroma Natrix Color Top Row Far Right:

Chroma Natrix Color Bottom Row Far Right:

Chroma Natrix These are all very light fresh colors. My experience is that most colors put on the wall look lighter and more pure than people expect. The top Row Center and Bottom Right are very similiar with the bottom right just a bit more green. This is the three next to one another

fbmbirds Yea im starting to go towards Tradewind or Tidewater.

Chroma Natrix This is the one from bottom row center.... Rainwashed?

Chroma Natrix I thought that would be more blue

Chroma Natrix I took a screen shot of the "Rainwashed swatch" from the website in your link. Paint colors can look very different on the wall than on location. This is the comparison with your photo. When you said it was the bottom center color, I was surprised it was so neutral. Maybe the yellow house next door is reflecting to make things look more yellow? hmmm?

Chroma Natrix You have to go with what looks good onsite. I'd paint a bigger section with only white trim around it. The surrounding colors affect your perception of the color. In the following example, each center box is the color "rainwashed", but we perceive them differently due to the surrounding colors (see Josef Albers' studies).

Chroma Natrix They are also the same size....

libradesigneye Colors that work in rooms must be amped up / go darker a few shades to work on a large house expanse. Rainwashed is proven indoors, but is too light to be more than a pastel in the sunlight. It takes much stronger color to look like a mid tone outdoors. All of these will look pastel when done. This time I looked, top right is my fave. The greyed color will also read better on a large expanse rather than the primaries some neighbors tried. Good luck - this is fun to kibbitz with all of you - regulars will be back with more in am.

fbmbirds Yea the wife is going to spread the colors out i just wanted an idea of them side by side.

fbmbirds Here is a picture that my wife just did.

fbmbirds Here is one with the names

fbmbirds Here is one more.

stylepink195 i think tradewind and rain is nice

fbmbirds OK here at the 4 remaining colors we picked. From left to right Waterscape, Tradewind, Quietude and Tidewater.

V/R
Coty Lake

stylepink195 i like tidewater but waterscape looks nice too.

CMR Interiors & Design Consultations Inc. Quietude

fbmbirds here are 2 more colors on a larger surface.

Waterscape and Tidewater

fbmbirds Ive asked my wife to paint the entire wall to the left of the door Quietude... Will see. She is getting tired of me asking for more walls painted.

mrsmacspies Quietude is my top choice... Love them all thou!

fbmbirds Well she is going to paint over the waterscape with Quietude and then rainwashed to the left of the door.

stylepink195 i think that tidewater color is beachy and would be perfect.

fbmbirds OK so here are the finished colors.

Rainwashed, Quietude and Tidewater,

My next door neighbors house is painted PoolSide Blue
http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/poolsideblue?bcsi-ac-629f256649b31c08=207DD6A100000104LxqpCg+LuYKIfCiqeoveEZnhs8sDAAAABAEAAKWgAAAgHAAAAAAAAMkIAAA=

fbmbirds The wife is also picking Tidewater. but i still cant pick

Chroma Natrix You have a very patient wife :-).... tidewater has more blue making it closer to the neighbor's blue hue than either Rainwashed or quietude, so i'd choose one of those.

Chroma Natrix Rainwashed if you want the low contrast, very light look. Quietude will have a bit more contrast if you want more of the details of your trim and louvers etc. to show.

fbmbirds IDK if these pictures help but we also tested out watery and it seems to have a good contrast.

Watery is to the Left

stylepink195 I think your silver roof would go with either colors on the outside and they are beachy. The darker green in the middle just seems to dark and not beachy. The lighter colors would make your house look more elegant. There would be contrast with the white too because you can see how it pops out beside the lighter colors on the outside. So I like Watery and Tide Blue.

fbmbirds Hello,

The color is TIdewater and Watery Not TIDE BLUE

Vivian Rase tidewater is my fave, but it's all about personal choice

fbmbirds So im leaving it up to my wife to decide on the color.

I think she is going Tidewater or Watery.

pattiegoode I think it would be more helpful to paint a sample on the outside in full sun rather than under cover. Have you considered painting the louvers the house color rather than trim color? I think that would help give you the continuity you said you were after. Either way, I would love this house! lol Another bold choice would be white. White house, white trim, white windows, silver roof, and then an accent color for things you really want to accent, like the front door and maybe the handrail leading up to the front entry.