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Paint Design Dilemma Exterior

exterior colours - red brick California bungalow

last month

Hello,

I am looking for advice about exterior colours for my red brick california bungalow.

I like really, fresh, bright whites such as dulux lexicon half. However I feel like might be too stark against the red brick.

I am currently thinking dulux snowy mountain quarter, along with vivid white for the trim. I am unsure though.

I am also unsure which parts exactly to highlight with the lighter white. I am thinking where the red is currently, along with the windows on the lower level. Then using the slightly warmer dulux snowy mountain quarter everywhere else, including the 'stripe' around the lower level of the house.

I would love any thoughts and opinions.

thanks,

Kate

Featured Answer

Cheryl Kingsman

last month

One common denominator I found with California bungalows is they are painted in warm colours. I think it enhances the architecture and makes them look very welcoming and cosy. I think a white especially lexicon would look to stark with the red brick.

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Comments (9)

Kate
last month
Pottsy. This one for you!
Kate C thanked Kate
pottsy99
last month
I reckon you are focussing on the wrong part -- the boards up the roof , and the gutters , look to be a grey or possibly even a mauve ? It makes the yellowish white look worse IMO . So my first step would be to do that board , and the gutters and around those upper windows in a bright red -- that will make it look more 'classic' , but also contrast more against the 'white' , and it will probably look okay .

If it still looks too yellowy , and/or it needs doing , then do it , but I' with you -- too crisp white will look like an advertising sign , whereas an off-white with a slight pink or yellow tinge will look a lot warmer and lived-in IMO . But I'd do the red first .
Kate C thanked pottsy99
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Hi Pottsy99, thanks so much for your thoughtful response! You are perfectly right about that infill panel and the original steps which had been removed - goodness knows what was going through people's heads to do this to an old house. I do intend to reinstate the stairs - and link to the front garden which is north-east facing so will be perfect for an informal edible garden. I'm thinking of finding some original encaustic tiles to do the porch floor. It's a good idea to reinstate the steps in concrete - I was thinking about timber on a steel frame (for costs) however concrete will give a more stable feeling . This old California Bungalow however has an perplexing design in that there appear to be two entrances - apparently this was not that unusual for California Bunglalows. The main hallway runs off the side entrance, whereas these steps which come from the front garden lead straight into the loungeroom, with no hallway. So I intend to keep the main entrance to the side, and make the front entrance relate directly to the front garden, using plants and lighting to direct people to the main entrance. anyhow, in regards to the colour pallette, I love your idea of a burgundy roof, however I'm going to tone it down a bit as there's a lean-to at the back where I can have some fun with colour. For street appeal I'm going to keep it toned down - the setting is an Australian bush garden, and I'm looking at a relaxing pallette of greys which I think will make the red bricks sing as well. I've had the red bricks and mortar colour-matched at the hardware store, and there are red/yellow/black tones in them. So the greys will be warm/ olive-greenish. The light colour will be a lighter hue of the mortar (very light beige). The front door will be bright red, with warm white/very light beige trim. thanks again for your thoughts :-)
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bigreader
last month
I would use the brighter white (not Lexicon, too harsh for heritage) on the pieces of wooden trim that would cost a fortune to do these days. All the fancy wood pieces. These are what you should be highlighting.
Kate C thanked bigreader
Kate C
Original Author
last month
Thanks so much for your feedback and input. It is very helpful. The gutters and boards near teh roof are a red/grey in reall life, however they do look more mauve in this photo. I think I want to stear away from red, and go towards a white/neutral colour scheme.

Does anyone have an opininon on painting the 'stripe' on the lower level the warmer white (snowy mountain quarter), a different shade to the windows (vivid white)? Currently they are both the cream colour, and I don'tknow if two different colours wouldlook odd. On other houses I have noticed that teh 'stripe' is often a contrasting brick, or a third colour is introduced.

thanks again, Kate
rocksfam
last month
Your house is gorgeous. If it is a heritage item or you are in a heritage conservation area, your local council will have a heritage advisor who can assist with advice. In NSW, it is a free service and they can do a colour scheme up for you or help with which elements should be lighter/darker etc
Kate C thanked rocksfam
Kate C
Original Author
last month
Thanks rocksfam, I will look into that. Very helpful.
pottsy99
last month
You asked about painting the 'stripe' , and I was going to mention it in my post above .

Visually , that existing hip-line 'stripe' looks a bit funny , it is pretty non-existent on the left , then sort of alternates between red and white .

So that seems a problem to me , because I was going to suggest either 'just' painting that 100mm or so stripe in black , or preferably getting a slightly raised render 'hip line' , either in a black render , or painted afterwoods .

BUT as you don't want to do red around the top , I think that would look like a dogs breakfast -- red and white with a black stripe is pure 1960's style and class -- red , white , mauve or grey , and black would look disjointed IMO .
Kate C thanked pottsy99
Kate C
Original Author
last month
thanks all for your help.

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