Evolution of my house...UPDATE IN FIRST POST

[kurlisola]

Okay, we are getting new vinyl siding. We got a good fixed rate of 6.9% & will have it paid off within 2 years. Here is the evolution of our exterior so far.

When we purchased the house (note all the trees in front & background)




This is after we had a few trees removed



And this is the most recent. We've removed the bushes, redone the front lawn. Now have to do the siding & landscape next to the house. We are also removing the 2 hollys in the front of the house



This is after we got new siding & added a portico. We still have to paint the garage & door, but are waiting til next month when the weather is warmer. I'm working on landscaping right now. I think what we want to do is paint the fencing (facing the street) white & have a short picket fence coming down both sides (our lot is pie shaped), and put David Austin roses alongside...something like this http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2...00456643HnVOxr

[mmb1996]

Your house is beautiful! Our neighbors recently had their house done and they used a creamy sort of yellow (looks more like a vanilla cream, hardly any yellow) and a hunter green for the shutters. Everyone in the neighborhood has been talking about how great the colors are together.

edited to add that I looked through the interactive thing and the colors are similiar to the siding/adobe cream, shutter/hunter green, and trim/adobe cream also. I had to look outside to see that LOL. The colors you picked are great also.

[skinnje1]

I like the darker colors and would go with the Tuscan Clay or Vintage Wicker. This is the true classic colors for the Colonial Homes. I have used the darker colors before and personally like them. If you haven't done this yet go to the store and get actual samples of each color of the siding. I would see if you can get a big piece (pay and bring it back) and bring it home to see how it looks in the different light. Have someone hold it up. Also ask the place if they have a local home that has entire house done in the colors that you are interested in. It makes a big difference when you see it on a house. I have actually stopped at a house and asked someone for the name of the paint that theyused.

[kurlisola]

Funny you should say that skinn...my first choice were those 2 colors; but I thought they would be too dark. This afternoon I'm going to use of my artistic skills and draw my house onto a clear page protector. Then I'll lay that on top of samples of siding, to see how it would look on my house. That way, I should get a clear idea of how it looks. I'd really like to get the details smoothed out & go ahead & sign the contract. The color & whether to wrap the eaves/soffit/dental molding is the only thing holding us up. I keep second guessing myself:-(

mmb...you don't buy any chance have a digital camera? Would you mind posting a picture of your neighbors house? That would be very helpful.

I should add 2 more things. First, we are replacing the skylight as well. Also, we are serious considering replacing the palisters & pediments that surround the front door, with a extended porch or portico. The existing woodwork in that area is rotten, so we have to replace it anyway. Will cost about $1k for materials & labor to replace. Will cost about $2500 to install a portico instead.

[BzyBee]

Lisa,
We had our house painted this year and I was afraid of going darker too. It used to be a rainy day grey...you know, like it rained one day and the house just stayed that color...it was dreary and glum. I thought I wanted something lighter and brighter. We looked at three colors and have stone on the house to consider and blend with.

However, when we started looking at houses, I found I liked the ones with tone on tone, natural colors. We went with a darker color with a greener tone that is still very natural but the color tone really lightens the house...although the color is darker. DTMS??

And, by removing and bringing up the trees and landscaping, you have already lightened the house considerably...just by letting the light in...it looks very nice!!

Also, you want to have enough contrast between your body and trim colors. Are you concerned if you go for a yellow color that there won't be enough contrast and it will all blend together...??

I liked the tuscan clay or vintage wicker...but I didn't see a shutter color that seemed to blend. The Storm Gray looks good on the computer...but given it's name I would guess that it is more gray than brown. The Musket Brown looked a bit dark to me...but it is hard to tell on the computer.


I do like the idea of the portico...I think it would look nice. Do carefully consider the roof you put on it. If it matches your existing roof in pitch, it may make the whole house seem to droop or slope downward. KWIM?? You could match the roof line on the dormers or just follow the existing upward triangle shape to raise it up visually.

Ok..just two more things...are you going to paint the garage door?? And, why not paint the front door a different color than the shutters? It could add some additional interest.

[kurlisola]

I'll have to take some pictures of porticos in my neighborhood. I'll post tonight. I think following the angle of the dormers is best.

I want to limit the number of colors to three. We have a rather conservative neighborhood & I think anything more will look out of place. So, I'm looking at siding one color, window & door trim & guttering another color, and shutters, front doors & garage doors another color.

Instead of replacing the doors, we are doing this:

www.entrypointglass.com

Click on Create your dream door
Click on double door example
Click on classic style
Scroll to the right & click on Tripoli (3rd from last)
Then click on full glass example

It will save us alot of $ to do it this way instead of replace the doors. We'll also have new hardware & weatherstriping.

As for the yellow & cream trim. I've actually seen houses done this way & it looks really nice. I'm just wondering how well it will look with my "style" of house. Usually I see it on houses with a country style.

Here is an example. (the shutters are green). Its really hard to see, wish I had a better picture:

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/tvpr...nishes,00.html

[littlereddeer1]

sourwood apple from porter paints. It is a darker green color and goes good with cream or white.

[BzyBee]

Wow...those doors look great!! Since they will be mostly glass, I think you are right to not add another color.

[nemo]

Ok I don't like the adobe cream with the maple siding. I think the tones are too close to the same..not enough contrast..just kinda different shade of yellow. (does that make sense?) The natural linen or tuscan clay makes my eyes alot happier withthe maple siding. Just my .o2. your house is goregeous by the way is the current colr green or grey? Never sure in a pic.

[NotASoCABarbie]

I have a question...is there a reason why you are decided to use vinyl siding instead of something like hardie plank or another composite wood siding? I am just curious.

For the colors, I like the Tuscon Clay for the siding, Colonial Ivory for the trim and Coffee Brown for the shutters, but what do I know? :)