In Michigan we have a wide range of architectural styles. It is nice to highlight with a little paint the details on that beautiful Victorian style home or add some interest to the basic ranch. Or just make the colors of your house fit its style.
From Cape Cod to Tudor, from Victorian to Post Modern, it is interesting and often a little frightening to put color on something so visible to everyone.
Cape Cod style homes are characterized by dormers and shutters with a fairly symmetric design. They were built to withstand the harsh weather conditions of the Northeast where they originated and they can be just so darn cute! A simpler color scheme of 3 colors–body, trim and accent– suits the simplicity of the style.
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This blue door is very welcoming…
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The Dutch Colonial style is characterized by gambrel roofs with flipped edges, porches, entry columns and usually a 2 story layout. Again a 3 part color scheme can make this style shine. Consider adding a pop of color to the front door to keep things from appearing too simplistic.
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Another great door color…
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The Victorian Style is very popular in downtown Grand Rapids where the also known as Painted Ladies are easy to spot. They are characterized by lots of details like gingerbread trim, steeply pitched roofs, spindles, corbels and brackets. Anyone who has been by the Voight House has seen a great local example of Victorian design. A more complex color scheme will make this style a sight to behold. The detail work can be lost if painted too simplistically. Benjamin Moore’s Historic Color chart gives great inspiration for a complex palette of colors.
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Georgian Colonial style homes are very symmetric in shape and characterized by a paneled front door, minimal roof overhang, double chimneys and decorative crown. 3 colors is a great place to start. I love the stately look of the house below. A color on the front door would be the icing on the cake…
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Tudor Style homes are very distinct. They typically have wood strips with stucco in between. When they were first built they utilized post and beam construction. The stucco was used to fill the space between the beams. Two colors is the norm for a tudor home with the exception of a front door accent and brickwork adding more to the palette.
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Rustic Style Homes are very distinctive. With today’s building technologies they can be built larger and with more details than just the simple cabin style. Most often stained, the trim, soffits and fascia may be the only details that are painted. Green seems to be a great go-to accent color on this natural style.
courtesy of aboutcustomhomes.com
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Craftsman Style homes are very much the rage in Michigan. Builders are using craftsman and mission elements to add interest to basic house plans. The bungalow which characterizes the typical craftsman style is one of my personal favorites. Push the palette with these homes by using 4 colors to call attention to the dormers, trim and exposed rafter tails or corbels.
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The Prairie Style echos elements of Frank Lloyd Wrights designs with flatter roofs, Simple lines and a lower profile. A simple color scheme of earth tones will suit this style the best.
courtesy of stockhouseplans.com
courtesy of stockhouseplans.com
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Contemporary Style homes can range from Post Modern, Neo Eclectic to Ultra Modern. Many of these homes borrow elements from past styles and use them in a new and interesting way.
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courtesy of Interior Design 1
Mediterranean Style homes are very distinctive with clay tiled roofs, courtyards arched openings and stucco. Painted the colors of the desert, the color scheme typically uses one main color and sometimes an accent color on trim work.
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Ranch Style homes are extremely popular in many areas of Michigan. Some tend to be very lengthy and can be a little plain in appearance depending on when they were constructed. 3 colors typically look the best on these homes but calling out the front door with an accent color should be considered.
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No matter what style your house is, Seven’s can help you come up with a stunning color scheme! Just be prepared for all of the compliments from your neighbors!!
