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By: Beth A. Booker
Most of us have heard some version of
the line, "I'd never be able to live in your neighborhood, they regulate paint color." Those of us who live here know that couldn't be further from the truth. Where else in town can you find bright green, UT orange, and hot pink houses peacefully coexisting with more traditional colors such as white, blue, and tan? Residents of Old North Knoxville's H-1 Overlay should know that there are no restrictions as to what color a home's exterior can be. Color is a personal choice.
Here are a few tips on selecting colors for a Victorian home:
- When selecting paint, start with the body of the house; a dark color may make the house look smaller or recede while a light color may make the house look larger or closer to the viewer.
- After choosing the body color, select colors for trim, sash, secondary trim, secondary body color (if any), and punch colors for details. The details of the home will help determine how many colors should be selected.
- Strive for visual accord. Too much contrast may make colors appear to jump off the building while too little may make it difficult to see the details.
- Select colors outside under a slightly overcast sky or in open shade. Don't be afraid to try several colors directly on the house before making your final selections. Most paint stores will mix quarts of trial colors. It's better to try something new on a small space than to make a large, costly mistake.
- Painting windows, porch ceilings and porches lighter colors will give your home a more open, airy feeling.
- Where body colors are concerned, put heavy colors on the bottom of the home, lighter above. Light colors near the foundation may make a house appear to float above the ground.
- Finally, take color cues from the roofing, brick, trees, shrubs, and flowers of your property. You may want to explore nearby homes to identify what you like (or don't like) about your neighbor's color schemes.
If you're still undecided, you may want to employ the services of a professional colorist to help you in your quest for a beautiful home exterior. You can find colorists by searching the web. Whatever choices you make, it's your decision and paint can always be changed if you feel you've made a mistake.
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