What might be one of the oldest style homes in America has grown to be one of the most popular styles of today. A reflection of its original style, homes with a colonial past are generally symmetrical with two floors, lots of windows on the front and back, and a centered front entrance. Often called the “center hall colonial” home, you can see how it got its nickname.
One of the features I love about this style is that with the large windows and lots of glass, it can easily accommodate a more contemporary style. With such a classic design style, it can also lean towards a more traditional aesthetic. An architectural style as versatile as this is, you can see how it has grown to be so popular across America.
Originally paints were made from natural materials, so it is not surprising the historic Colonial house colors would have been whites, creamy colors and warmer color options becoming gradually deeper all the way to warmer ochers, browns, terra cottas, greens and browns.
A Brief History of Colonial Homes
Following the Victorian period, after the late 1900s, the Colonial Revival period started around 1885 and continued until around 1915. As I discussed in my last post on Victorian home colors, the popular color palettes at the end of the 1900s were more saturated colors. Everything changed though after the turn of the century with the introduction of brighter colors (on Colonial homes) becoming more and more popular!
For houses from this period, the popular Colonial house colors were creamy whites, softer yellows, pale pastels in gray blues and gray greens. Different from the periods before the Colonial Revival Period, now both the trim and windows are the same color: white or an off-white. Another popular feature in this style’s color palette is the color for the shutters. For Colonial homes, the shutters are always a dark green or a velvety dark black.
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A popular style, there were a variety of homes that emulated from this architectural style. Later Colonial homes were brick and although painting the brick was not an option back in the day and is often an unpopular choice today as well (as any color expert would advise), painting the trim and shutters can be the best way to personalize your home.
It wasn’t long after the end of this period in architectural design that people became more creative with their own exterior paint color choices. Shutters became blues and sometimes deep reds, and the body itself slowly took on more personable color choices.
How to Personalize Your Colonial Home!
There are a few things we can learn from this period of American architecture. A good guide to use for this style is to make the body color of your home the middle intensity color of your color palette, meaning not too dark or not too light.
For example, if you have a medium green home, use a much lighter color for the trim and a darker color for the shutters. With body colors most often softened blues, blue grays, taupes and medium to lighter grays are the perfect choice for the body color of your home.
Consistent with this style, the trim and windows are almost always white or some form of white. Shutters can be a richer version of your body color such as a deep navy blue or dark green, or you always have the option of using a more neutral shutter color like a charcoal gray or off black. Use the shutters as an opportunity to make your own personal statement. Yes you can use the classic navy blue, dark green or dark red, but what about a rich plum color or a slate gray-blue instead?
Need More Help With Your Colonial House Colors?
At the end of the day you want your Colonial home to reflect you. It is nice to keep the original architecture in mind when doing so though. The job of a paint consultant is to help you through that process to find the perfect fit that balances both your personal taste as well as the history of the home.
Contact Amy Wax today if you’re looking for some help through the process of finding the perfect color for your home.
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Amy I never tire of learning and watching your home transformations. Beautiful
Sincerest thanks Robin, I am so pleased that you’ve enjoyed work, stay tuned for more!
Great information, Amy! Here in New England, we are inundated with both actual Colonial era homes and later builder versions – some better than others. It’s a very versatile style, to be sure!
Yes this will certainly be a popular style in New England, I’m so glad you enjoyed this post!
Love the classic Colonial home architecture! Thanks for the info on true era colors!
Thanks Suzi, Its a great period of architecture, the right colors make it look even better!
This is great advice, Amy. I have really enjoyed your series!
Thanks so much Sheri, I am often asked what colors are appropriate, I hope this inspires people to make great choices!
Wonderful series! So interesting to learn about these historic color schemes and a wonderful resource for those wanting to highlight the beautiful historic story of their home.
Thanks so much Mary Ann, I am so glad you are enjoying this series of blog posts, I certainly have enjoyed sharing all this information (and inspiration!) with everyone!