As seen in Cottages & Bungalows magazine November 2009

Craftsman home in Birmingham, Alabama

This lovely Arts & Crafts era home lacked any curb appeal.  The owners wanted an updated paint scheme that would provide a visual experience appropriate to the homes history and architectural features.  Located in a Birmingham, Alabama historic neighborhood, the owners wanted earth toned colors but beyond that they admitted confusion on how to handle all the stonework.

BEFORE Colors

AFTER

Making the new colors work with the masonry while not overpowering it was the key goal of this project. Historic period earth tones drawn from an old Sherwin Williams paint brochure circa 1910 provided the colors.

A deep period red/brown was chosen for the clapboards and softened grayed yellow for the upper shingle sections.  The medium brown trim ties all the colors together.

Rear Elevation

The overall effect of the final paint scheme was one where the masonry elements were allowed to stand alone and not blend in or be overpowered by the wood paint colors. Harmony in color schemes with both masonry and wood surfaces is complex but the outcome can be stunning.

Side details

Copyright 2002 - 2010: Robert Schweitzer. March 1, 2010