What color trim goes with this brick?
#1
01-24-07, 12:52 PM
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What color trim goes with this brick?
I can't figure out what color trim will look best on my brick home. Inside, I got a mixed modern and retro-mod scheme - although the outside doesn't have to reflect that. The current white trim seems a little plain and stark. I've got a stainless steel mailbox and house numerals to replace the current ones, but haven't put them on yet. Here's a picture:
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o183/dnevestx/House/hr1710801-14.jpg
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o183/dnevestx/House/hr1710801-14.jpg
#2
01-24-07, 01:33 PM
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depends on what color that roof is...........???
also, how much trim is there? are there garage doors somewhere?
P.S. i hope you have a new light fixture, too, to replace that industrial looking one.
also, how much trim is there? are there garage doors somewhere?
P.S. i hope you have a new light fixture, too, to replace that industrial looking one.
#3
01-24-07, 01:46 PM
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The roof is a light grey. The garage is detached with wood siding. I was thinking of painting its trim to match, then the main color of the garage would be a complementary darker color. I'll paint the doors a darker color, possibly a navy blue or deep burgandy. Eventually, I'll replace the house front door with a wood door.
Oh yes, THAT industrial light fixture. Ugh. I just bought the house and there are 5 of them (yes - five!-- there is no night at my house - you can probably see it from space). Those are all going away in favor of recessed lighting along the lower eaves, along with some uplighting on the front where the gable is since the recessed lights would look odd there.
Oh yes, THAT industrial light fixture. Ugh. I just bought the house and there are 5 of them (yes - five!-- there is no night at my house - you can probably see it from space). Those are all going away in favor of recessed lighting along the lower eaves, along with some uplighting on the front where the gable is since the recessed lights would look odd there.
#4
01-24-07, 02:01 PM
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i don't think navy would work at all. and burgundy isn't quite right.
i think i'd stay more neutral & let the brick stand out. i think the white is fine actually, but if i had to choose something else, i think i'd paint the trim the same light gray as the roof (or even slightly lighter), then do the front door in a richer version of the brick color (which looks to me to be a sort of salmon color).
however, the main problem i see is that your entry is closed off because of the side-entry to it, and it has a pretty low ceiling, so it looks fairly dark in there (ie not very inviting). i'd try to keep it as light as possible in that space, by not painting your front door a dark color and not planting anything that will grow very high in the planter there. so really, white is the best color for your front door.
i think warmer tones would be nice with that brick color, but the gray roof ruins that option. any plans for a new roof anytime soon????? if so, i'd go darker & more of a charcoal/brown color. then your trim could be a beige/cream color.
are there other houses around there with the same brick? what colors have they used? that's always helpful to eliminate some color options and get good ideas. i think i've seen olive greens used with that color brick, but they didn't have light gray roofs.
i think i'd stay more neutral & let the brick stand out. i think the white is fine actually, but if i had to choose something else, i think i'd paint the trim the same light gray as the roof (or even slightly lighter), then do the front door in a richer version of the brick color (which looks to me to be a sort of salmon color).
however, the main problem i see is that your entry is closed off because of the side-entry to it, and it has a pretty low ceiling, so it looks fairly dark in there (ie not very inviting). i'd try to keep it as light as possible in that space, by not painting your front door a dark color and not planting anything that will grow very high in the planter there. so really, white is the best color for your front door.
i think warmer tones would be nice with that brick color, but the gray roof ruins that option. any plans for a new roof anytime soon????? if so, i'd go darker & more of a charcoal/brown color. then your trim could be a beige/cream color.
are there other houses around there with the same brick? what colors have they used? that's always helpful to eliminate some color options and get good ideas. i think i've seen olive greens used with that color brick, but they didn't have light gray roofs.
#5
01-24-07, 02:24 PM
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White trim looks good, although repainting with a white with more gray undertones would be complementary to the gray roof and the gray tones in the terra cotta brick. If you notice, the most colorful thing in the photo other than the brick is the green grass. The current door color is green, but it is not dramatic enough to say welcome. A dark green with gray undertones would work well with roof and brick. I can not see if the storm door is a full-view one or not. If it is older, switch to full view door, so the entry can be more exposed. Shutters on window to right of entry and in the same color as the front door would soften the bareness of the exterior.
Burgundy is not a good color to go with the brick color. See the plaque on the column. If that is an address plaque with 911 address, it could be painted a lighter color with updated black or brass numbers that would be visible from the street for 911 emergencies.
By all means update exterior lighting. Too, replace rural carrier mailbox with something more decorative and unobtrusive.
Settlement crack in sidewalk should be repaired before it worsens from freeze/thaw cycles. The boxed in landscaping is confining and distracting. It should be ripped out and new landscaping in a bed with soft irregular borders and taller shrub at end. The lowest plantings should be at the entry with taller plant at end. Changing landscaping would update the front of the house and provide additional visual interest and color as well as soften the bare lines of the structure and make the entry more inviting, especially if the new bed began about 2/3 the way back from the crack in the sidewalk and irregularly curved closer toward the house and out to the corner.
Your local Cooperative Extension Service can provide you with info on landscaping and species recommended for your area. Selecting plantings with size at maturity in mind is important for choosing the best species and size for landscape is important. Your local Extension Service can also provide you with info on a lawn maintenance program and how to deal with the bare spots in the lawn--aerating, fertilizing, overseeding, watering, mowing, herbicides, and insecticides.
A picture of the garage would be helpful in helping to tie all the elements of the front of the house together with color.
Burgundy is not a good color to go with the brick color. See the plaque on the column. If that is an address plaque with 911 address, it could be painted a lighter color with updated black or brass numbers that would be visible from the street for 911 emergencies.
By all means update exterior lighting. Too, replace rural carrier mailbox with something more decorative and unobtrusive.
Settlement crack in sidewalk should be repaired before it worsens from freeze/thaw cycles. The boxed in landscaping is confining and distracting. It should be ripped out and new landscaping in a bed with soft irregular borders and taller shrub at end. The lowest plantings should be at the entry with taller plant at end. Changing landscaping would update the front of the house and provide additional visual interest and color as well as soften the bare lines of the structure and make the entry more inviting, especially if the new bed began about 2/3 the way back from the crack in the sidewalk and irregularly curved closer toward the house and out to the corner.
Your local Cooperative Extension Service can provide you with info on landscaping and species recommended for your area. Selecting plantings with size at maturity in mind is important for choosing the best species and size for landscape is important. Your local Extension Service can also provide you with info on a lawn maintenance program and how to deal with the bare spots in the lawn--aerating, fertilizing, overseeding, watering, mowing, herbicides, and insecticides.
A picture of the garage would be helpful in helping to tie all the elements of the front of the house together with color.
#6
01-24-07, 03:36 PM
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Wow, thanks for the feedback, Annette and Twelvepole. I hadn't considered some of the things you mentioned. A few of the items bring up regional differences too, so I should have mentioned I'm in Houston. We have scorching summers and no winter. To address the questions raised:
1) Yes, I'll install a new roof within a year. I'll take a look at the browns - up to this point, I hadn't considered changing the roof color. But, I live in Houston. I don't want to go too dark on the roof because the summer AC bills will go too high -maybe a medium brown instead of dark? I had considered the cream color for the trim and I like that thought.
2) Most of the other homes have different brick colors. All of the homes with the same color as my house have painted the trim white. Every single one. I actually spent a whole afternoon driving around trying to find one with a different idea.
3) Actually, the front door is beige. I don't know why it looks green in the picture. The other colors look pretty true to life though and the door doesn't look green in person. There isn't a storm door there (yet), but it will be a full view to show off the light wood colored door that's on my wish-list. The navy blue or burgandy was only supposed to be a stop-gap until I could have the door replaced anyway. But, I see your point there and those colors are out.
4) I'll consider shutters. That's a new idea to me (for this house anyway).
5) That ugly address plaque is doomed. I've already got larger stainless steel numbers to place directly against the brick, vertically. Ditto with the mailbox - it will be replaced by a stainless wall-mounted box next to the door. Also, our entire block had our addresses repainted on the front curbs for 911 emergencies.
6) LOL - Good idea about the walks, but we don't have a freeze-thaw cycle down here in Houston. Those are actually just weeds growing in the expansion joints. The picture is the day I bought the house a few months ago. It was vacant over a year. The weeds are history now, and the joints were epoxied to prevent further weeds. I'll think about removing the planter-boxes in the future, but for now I'm going to replace the bushes with something low that will drape over the edges - probably lantana (green with little yellow or white flowers) since it likes this climate. The lawn isn't bare anymore either.
7) the garage: http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o183/dnevestx/House/hr1710801-2.jpg
How would the house and garage look reroofed medium brown? Would cream-colored trim look good with that, along with yellow flowering plants in front? What color would I paint the garage then? The siding is cedar shakes, and they tend to look better with darker colors (if you paint them). Light colors show the cracks between them. Right now, the white looks absolutely terrible in person, and it was just painted before I bought the house.
1) Yes, I'll install a new roof within a year. I'll take a look at the browns - up to this point, I hadn't considered changing the roof color. But, I live in Houston. I don't want to go too dark on the roof because the summer AC bills will go too high -maybe a medium brown instead of dark? I had considered the cream color for the trim and I like that thought.
2) Most of the other homes have different brick colors. All of the homes with the same color as my house have painted the trim white. Every single one. I actually spent a whole afternoon driving around trying to find one with a different idea.
3) Actually, the front door is beige. I don't know why it looks green in the picture. The other colors look pretty true to life though and the door doesn't look green in person. There isn't a storm door there (yet), but it will be a full view to show off the light wood colored door that's on my wish-list. The navy blue or burgandy was only supposed to be a stop-gap until I could have the door replaced anyway. But, I see your point there and those colors are out.
4) I'll consider shutters. That's a new idea to me (for this house anyway).
5) That ugly address plaque is doomed. I've already got larger stainless steel numbers to place directly against the brick, vertically. Ditto with the mailbox - it will be replaced by a stainless wall-mounted box next to the door. Also, our entire block had our addresses repainted on the front curbs for 911 emergencies.
6) LOL - Good idea about the walks, but we don't have a freeze-thaw cycle down here in Houston. Those are actually just weeds growing in the expansion joints. The picture is the day I bought the house a few months ago. It was vacant over a year. The weeds are history now, and the joints were epoxied to prevent further weeds. I'll think about removing the planter-boxes in the future, but for now I'm going to replace the bushes with something low that will drape over the edges - probably lantana (green with little yellow or white flowers) since it likes this climate. The lawn isn't bare anymore either.
7) the garage: http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o183/dnevestx/House/hr1710801-2.jpg
How would the house and garage look reroofed medium brown? Would cream-colored trim look good with that, along with yellow flowering plants in front? What color would I paint the garage then? The siding is cedar shakes, and they tend to look better with darker colors (if you paint them). Light colors show the cracks between them. Right now, the white looks absolutely terrible in person, and it was just painted before I bought the house.
#7
01-24-07, 04:08 PM
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If you're switching the roof color to medium brown, the color of dried grasses during Texas drought, that's wonderful. Then, you can go with the cream trim. By switching to a cream color trim, you will most definitely be different from the neighbors and in a subtly, sophisticated way. I'm a green person, so IMO the front door should be green, but you may not like green.
If neighbors do not have shutters, then shutters might be another way to look a little different. Good moves on getting rid of eliminating the address plaque and mailbox and going with a more updated look.
You are ahead of me on sidewalk repair and lawn maintenance. Something that grows down over the planter will soften lines. The yellow and greens of the lantana will fit right in with your landscape. You might want to toss a little of that orangey looking lantana, too, just to spice things up a bit and make a fuss over the brick color.
Nice looking garage. I like that it is free-standing with an entry door. It's almost like a guest house. Should look inviting, too. Carry the color scheme from the house to the garage. Cream would look great on trim, and doors could be the color of the front door. Or, paint garage door color cream too and paint entry door same as entry on house. A nice rustic brown on garage would look good.
Looks like you need to clean out the gutters and install gutter guards. You have some big decidious trees there. Too, concrete is due some repairs. You have a great place to do some container gardening in front of garage, varying heights and styles of planters, clustered in a group to provide greenery and color and and texture.
Looks like you have some cupped shingles on garage roof. You may want to address ventilation issues. When putting on new roof on house, also make sure you have adequate attic ventilation and insulation.
If neighbors do not have shutters, then shutters might be another way to look a little different. Good moves on getting rid of eliminating the address plaque and mailbox and going with a more updated look.
You are ahead of me on sidewalk repair and lawn maintenance. Something that grows down over the planter will soften lines. The yellow and greens of the lantana will fit right in with your landscape. You might want to toss a little of that orangey looking lantana, too, just to spice things up a bit and make a fuss over the brick color.
Nice looking garage. I like that it is free-standing with an entry door. It's almost like a guest house. Should look inviting, too. Carry the color scheme from the house to the garage. Cream would look great on trim, and doors could be the color of the front door. Or, paint garage door color cream too and paint entry door same as entry on house. A nice rustic brown on garage would look good.
Looks like you need to clean out the gutters and install gutter guards. You have some big decidious trees there. Too, concrete is due some repairs. You have a great place to do some container gardening in front of garage, varying heights and styles of planters, clustered in a group to provide greenery and color and and texture.
Looks like you have some cupped shingles on garage roof. You may want to address ventilation issues. When putting on new roof on house, also make sure you have adequate attic ventilation and insulation.
#8
01-25-07, 07:39 AM
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i'm not sure i'm going to like the stainless steel accessories with all the warm earth tones.
maybe you should stick with the cooler gray colors, if that's what you like. but still, go with a darker gray roof (darker than what you've got). darker roofs just look better than light ones. i would go ahead & select a roof color, if you're going to be painting first. the number of roofing color choices is very limited. find that first, then select your paint to go with it & your brick. even if it looks bad now with the current roof.
i think i'd stick with the white trim. then your garage could be gray with the same white trim. the shutters on your house could be gray.
not sure about about a stained front door......
maybe you should stick with the cooler gray colors, if that's what you like. but still, go with a darker gray roof (darker than what you've got). darker roofs just look better than light ones. i would go ahead & select a roof color, if you're going to be painting first. the number of roofing color choices is very limited. find that first, then select your paint to go with it & your brick. even if it looks bad now with the current roof.
i think i'd stick with the white trim. then your garage could be gray with the same white trim. the shutters on your house could be gray.
not sure about about a stained front door......
#9
01-26-07, 09:27 AM
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Wow, twelvepole - very observant. And Annette - I have to admit that your sense of color sounds impeccable - even if I can't quite bring myself to paint the door salmon! But hey, I didn't mention to you that I'm a single guy.
As far as priorities, the roof shingles are cupped, but because they're about 4 years past their optimal replacement date. I've got a second estimate for a new roof lined up for tomorrow as both the garage and (today I found out) the house are leaking. So the roof will be immediate and will trump other projects. I'm going to replace some of the trim that's rotted when they replace the roof, and then obviously paint. The new lighting will have to wait due to budget. I'll probably go ahead and take down one or two of the hideous utility lights though.
I'm now thinking of splitting the middle between the browns and grays. I'm thinking of looking at the roofing and trying to figure out whether either the brown or gray would look best with a taupe color, then matching the exact shade of taupe to the roof. Then, I'll use the taupe (a bit darker shade) on the garage and shutters, and maybe front door (which I'll be keeping now that I've seen current roofing prices). Do you think the stainless accessories will go with that? I've already started replacing the hardware - so maybe i'm doing it backwards but wanted this part to carry through from the inside of the house.
twelvepole - your ideas sound close to mine. So, to let you know the plan I'm working toward - the side entry to the garage goes to a 'bonus' storage/utility room now. Later, I'll add a full bath and a bar/kitchenette to be accessible to the future pool. I'm going to do that part whenever my ex and I sell our last house (currently on the market). And, obviously from the picture, I'll be replacing that side door too.
As far as priorities, the roof shingles are cupped, but because they're about 4 years past their optimal replacement date. I've got a second estimate for a new roof lined up for tomorrow as both the garage and (today I found out) the house are leaking. So the roof will be immediate and will trump other projects. I'm going to replace some of the trim that's rotted when they replace the roof, and then obviously paint. The new lighting will have to wait due to budget. I'll probably go ahead and take down one or two of the hideous utility lights though.
I'm now thinking of splitting the middle between the browns and grays. I'm thinking of looking at the roofing and trying to figure out whether either the brown or gray would look best with a taupe color, then matching the exact shade of taupe to the roof. Then, I'll use the taupe (a bit darker shade) on the garage and shutters, and maybe front door (which I'll be keeping now that I've seen current roofing prices). Do you think the stainless accessories will go with that? I've already started replacing the hardware - so maybe i'm doing it backwards but wanted this part to carry through from the inside of the house.
twelvepole - your ideas sound close to mine. So, to let you know the plan I'm working toward - the side entry to the garage goes to a 'bonus' storage/utility room now. Later, I'll add a full bath and a bar/kitchenette to be accessible to the future pool. I'm going to do that part whenever my ex and I sell our last house (currently on the market). And, obviously from the picture, I'll be replacing that side door too.
#10
01-26-07, 10:19 AM
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Originally Posted by dneves
.....I can't quite bring myself to paint the door salmon!
i hate to be the one to break this to you, but your entire house is salmon colored brick!!!
sorry about your leaks, but i'm glad you're actually doing the roof first. roofs (rooves?) look much different when they're all done than what you think they'll look like from seeing the small shingle sample up close. i would even go so far now to say that i'd wait til the whole roof is done to pick a paint color. (and having both the garage & house roofs the same is the way to go!)
an on further thought, since your windows look to be aluminum, i think the stainless steel accessories will be fine with any colors you choose.
#11
01-26-07, 12:20 PM
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Yikes! I live in a salmon house! Yes, Annette, you're correct though I never thought of it quite that way. 
Oh well, there are worse things. Thanks for the good advice. I'm still wavering between the white/gray, taupe, or cream - but that gives me some good choices so that I only have to figure the best one. I'll probably post a newer picture (of my salmon-colored house) after the roof/paint are done along with another color-related question. I'm sure I'll have more as I'll be doing a lot of work on it over the next year or so.
Thanks again for the advice!
Oh well, there are worse things. Thanks for the good advice. I'm still wavering between the white/gray, taupe, or cream - but that gives me some good choices so that I only have to figure the best one. I'll probably post a newer picture (of my salmon-colored house) after the roof/paint are done along with another color-related question. I'm sure I'll have more as I'll be doing a lot of work on it over the next year or so.Thanks again for the advice!
#12
01-26-07, 12:51 PM
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If you are leaning toward more gray, which is excellent with salmon, there are many asphalt shingle colors that are multi-flecked. These can be gray with other flecks of color or other colors with flecks of gray.
Painting the garage gray puts me in mind of Cape Cod where there are many weathered gray cottages. Most may not get excited about a garage, but I love its guest house appeal.
Painting the garage gray puts me in mind of Cape Cod where there are many weathered gray cottages. Most may not get excited about a garage, but I love its guest house appeal.
#13
10-01-09, 11:35 AM
Hello fellow Texan...My name is Stacey and I found your post thru searching on what color to paint the trim on my house. We are going thru the same thing you did a couple of years ago. Our house is terracotta brick with white trim. We have a white/gray roof now, but are going much darker here in a couple of weeks.
So, what did you end up doing?
BTW...you do not have a salmon colored brick. I appears to be nearly the same as ours.
Hope to see you post! Thanks!
So, what did you end up doing?
BTW...you do not have a salmon colored brick. I appears to be nearly the same as ours.
Hope to see you post! Thanks!
#14
10-01-09, 01:02 PM
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Hi gboysmom,
As you noted, the posts are rather old...
Perhaps is a good idea if you can post a picture of your hose so we can provide advice
In order to set an image here follow these easy steps-->
1 - upload your picture to a free online photoalbum like Photobucket or Flickr , for example
2 - Look for the link of your picture (usually, photoalbums provide a "link for a forum" script) --> copy the full URL to the image, (not the page on which the image is located),
3 - In the DIY Forum--> Reply post or open a new post--> Press the 'Insert Image' icon above and paste the link--> or type after it, ensuring that you do not have any spaces before or after the URL of the image
As you noted, the posts are rather old...
Perhaps is a good idea if you can post a picture of your hose so we can provide advice
In order to set an image here follow these easy steps-->
1 - upload your picture to a free online photoalbum like Photobucket or Flickr , for example
2 - Look for the link of your picture (usually, photoalbums provide a "link for a forum" script) --> copy the full URL to the image, (not the page on which the image is located),
3 - In the DIY Forum--> Reply post or open a new post--> Press the 'Insert Image' icon above and paste the link--> or type after it, ensuring that you do not have any spaces before or after the URL of the image
