Hi Louie thanks for quick response .. ok I'm going to charcoal the cedar boards so I guess gutters to match aniseed pergola uprights and my husband feels a red roof would set it off .. just everyone doing grey roof & ive been there done that .. your thoughts ?? Also red colour suggestion cheers Jane

Hi Jane, I did not read that the roof was being changed.

Isn't the roof a shade of red already or is that terracotta?

Hi Louie
The roof is pink and original roof tiles in stock are a white washed pink !!

I personally feel that there is too much variation in colour throughout. And charcoal is going to be too heavy against the cedar.

My ideas for consideration are -

1) Tone down all of the timber supports and beams, including all of the steps with a toned down colour of the cedar [50/50].

2) The decking is too dark - consider lightening this and not in a charcoal colour. Use warm browns instead [unless the photo is not giving a clear indication of the tone]

3) I would remove the rocks and flowering plants - these are cottagey and the look is not cottagey. I would use a all green foliage plants that dont necessarily flower. This will give the area a tropical feel.

4) I would then put a glory vine at the far end to grow over the pergola. This is deciduous in winter following great autumn colour which lasts for ages.This colouring and its use will depend on the region in which you live.

5) To me a red roof is going to be the wrong colour. I would definitely consider a charcoal [not black] roof here.

Alison

Hi Jane,

Well I like your plants & rocks but this is a colour dilemma so...I was thinking about that cinder colour for the roof & also due to considering your French Provincial theme inside. This one is more white though...

Maybe if you stain the cedar cladding light grey/charcoal & then paint the posts & window frames the roof colour so it's carried down to the ground via the pergola. Keeping the red door as well then I'm thinking accent Jardiniere pots either side of the door. I don't want to suggest painting the cedar but you may ask a colour consultant to help & they will credit the fee if you buy their product.

The only red roof with timber/charcoal I could find was this one...more a barn style.

I'm liking your input .. I'm thinking too cedar stain is not going to work & although I'm reluctant to paint cedar I feel to get the right look maybe my only option .. lots to reconsider !!

Jane I like the red door a lot but I have been thinking about your house...

French Provincial uses a lot of soft colours & white so I keep thinking of French grey & blue meaning if you stained the cedar lighter or a light/mid grey, roof in a slate grey/blue with light & dark tones & deep navy blue for the door it might refresh your theme What is French Blue?

Yes I'm hearing you and I too thought maybe the red door must go .. my favourite door is/or darker comment & probably the navy you suggested .. so many French greys to consider .. I've already painted the rear pergola in Annie Sloan graphite chalk paint & tinted white floorboards so a grey for cedar must work in with graphite & navy door .. any suggestions .. see pic

I like the graphite & hard to see but do you mean the deck is white tint?

So far I have not found quite the right combo as white is used a lot for contrast but some ideas at least...

I don't want to confuse you, just wondering about the lattice too. Is that natural or stained & are you doing anything with it?

This link to Resene cedar paint system might be helpful.

Looks like a charming space, I may be wrong but doesn't cedar weather to silver grey? That would look great and match every thing.
The steep steps with alternating black and white treads look as if the would be disorienting in the dark especially if you are carrying things down from the car and can't easily see your feet.

Ok pic of our ocean high rise views with inlet in front !! The color of back deck floor is Dulux white duck .. I believe perfect color with cedar floor boards graphite pergola and now cinder chairs matching a mango wood table (might paint that too).
I'm going to paint pergola solid charcoal color and reassess what color gutters and if workable French blue front door & awning ..the deck needs to be natural grey as does the cedar boards but old deck not worth sanding .. so will have to find another solution

The lattice on deck is natural !! Pics of our view & an idea is inside color scheme

Beautiful view Jane, gosh you're on the side of a mountain no?

Yes if left natural the cedar will weather to grey but to me that looks weathered & dry & possibly not in keeping with your house style.

I still like the red door & think the cedar weatherboards look to be in good condition. I would start by painting the gutter & fascia in the graphite, then the pergola as well & lose the cinder if that is the light colour.

Funny thing, I live in a pole home too but without your amazing views!

please let your timber to grey naturally.
renovate your roof to a slate colour (to match your door jam)
the red door is great but should be muted a bit as it is more Caribbean than French Provincial atm.
all trimmings should be the same colour

It will be difficult to get this one right as there is a mixture of conflicting styles and colours. For example the front picket fence conflicts with the new angular timbers of the pergola. I would suggest replacing the front fence with a modern style to work in with the pergola timbers. I would also replace all the timber lattice with plain timber balustrades to open up the view and create a more congruent exterior from front to rear