The Cape is a special place. Anyone who has spent any time on the cape or islands know how unique and unquestionably lovely the areas can be. Sure, maybe the traffic in the summer isn’t the best, but it’s worth it to experience the beaches, nature, history, architecture, and Cape Cod colors!
Sometimes it’s hard to put an aura or vibe into words, but in this blog, I’m going to explore some of the unique color palettes that you’ll find on Cape Cod and how best to recreate those “cape vibes” in your home, even in the off-season!
In the late summer of 2020, I released a blog on Traditional Cape Cod Style Homes; in that blog, I talked about what traditional Cape architecture is and what colors you could expect to find (or not expect to find) on Cape Cod homes. The article, to this day, is one of the most discussed and popular pieces I’ve published on AmyWax.com, which is why I wanted to explore the topic a little more and provide some more color ideas from Cape Cod.
As a color consultant, I’m always looking for color palettes that leave a lasting impression and recall a special location. Well, the color palettes of the Cape accomplish this quite well!
When I think of Cape Cod colors, I don’t immediately think of colors that would be considered “flashy” or vibrant. The unique peninsula of Massachusetts can be fun and funky (check out P-town), but it’s also deep-rooted in tradition with color schemes created from environmental circumstances.
What do I mean by colors created from environmental circumstances? For example, Cape Cod homes are often shingled without any color staining, so the shingles get a very distinctive coastal weathering grey color to them over time. Because of exposure to the salt-rich sea air, the shingles will lose their natural wood colors and become gray. However, this isn’t considered a bad thing, and the weathering coloration is distinctive and authentic, which is why many Cape Cod homeowners embrace this Cape coastal gray.
Another example of Cape homeowners embracing local environmental colors is the use of deep royal cranberry red. It’s not widely known globally, but the Cape is home to many cranberry bogs and cranberry farmers. In fact, there’s even a delicious cranberry-based cocktail named the “Cape Codder!” You’ll find the deep-rich red of cranberry colorfully embraced on front doors and mailboxes and as accent exterior paint colors all over the Cape.
There’s a propensity on the Cape to let the homes create color harmony and beauty without going for the “wow factor.” Exposed woods and shingles siding, white picket fences and white trim, deep royal blue, and royal red accent colors are just some of the hallmarks of home exteriors on the Cape.
Less is more when you embrace your surrounding environments and homes on the Cape. For the best effect, work the natural surroundings into your colors palettes and design schemes. Picture a beautiful mid-century Cape victorian. It has weathered gray shingles and stark white trim surrounded by soft violet hydrangeas, luscious pink rhododendrons, and emerald green oak trees; there’s nothing else needed to create a lasting and timeless color palette!
As an exterior paint color consultant, I look for color palettes that are not fully embraced and lay dormant on the home’s exterior but have tremendous potential. Once discovered, those colors create true color inspiration! Cape Cod colors and homes can teach us all a valuable color lesson. You don’t need to manipulate the natural environment around your home (or on your home) to bring out your home’s beauty. By finding harmony with the environment around you and using colors that showcase those natural colors, you’ll create a powerful color synergy that extends beyond your home but across your entire property!
So, what do you think about Cape Cod colors and their synergy with the natural environment? Do you like this idea, or do you prefer creating a splash of different colors to create a lasting impression! As a color expert, I’d love to hear your thoughts!
