February can be the darkest month of the year, when memories of December festivities and the novelty of January penance have both lost their luster. Yet it’s too early to start wishing for spring…
Let’s talk about color!
During COVID, I indulged in going back to watch the early seasons of “This Old House” beginning in 1979. Those were experimental days, when original host Bob Vila and the crew took derelict houses and used traditional building skills and plain Yankee common sense to make them fit for human habitation once more.
During the first season – starring a down-at-heel 1860 Second-Empire-style house in Dorchester, MA – a guest paint historian analyzed a sample from the clapboard siding to discover the original color. Lo and behold, this old house was brown and ochre for fifty years before it was painted “Colonial” white in the early 20th century.
For decades, until relatively recently, a drive through any picturesque historic town left the strong impression that the only appropriate color for traditional-style houses was white (with black or green shutters). Lately, the trend has leaned towards all black (or charcoal gray). The operative word is “trend”. Relative to other kinds of architectural statements, paint is a reasonably accessible way to upgrade, refresh and rebrand a home. It’s anything but permanent, as witnessed by the many, many, many layers of paint found on most old house exteriors and interiors.
A great resource for exploring the history of exterior paint colors in America is Century of Color: Exterior Decoration for American Buildings, 1820-1920 by Roger Moss. In prior decades, many houses were left unpainted or simply white-washed. The goal was not necessarily aesthetics, but rather function (white wash has preservative and antibacterial properties). Similarly, barns were often treated with a long-lasting soil-derived red oxide. High-style Federal and Greek Revival architecture of the early 19th century also deployed white to identify with Classical Greece and Rome (little knowing at the time that the original temples and sculptures had been painted in vivid colors). Associated with the idea of “early America”, white houses and red barns enjoyed an enduring resurgence in popularity from the 1876 Centennial onward.
The period 1820 to 1920 saw a parade of architectural movements, many of them “Revivals” inspired by historical styles (Gothic, Renaissance, Italianate, Queen Anne). Technological innovations kept pace with style trends, enabling a wider distribution of rich colors. Pre-mixed paints hit the market in the 1870s, accompanied by guides and color charts targeted at homeowners, marketing fashionable color combinations with specific recommendations for siding, trim, windows, eaves, etc. By this time, consumers were fully sold on the necessity of paint not only for protection but (mainly) for looks.
So, what’s the right color scheme for your old house? The good news is that there are lots of options. The bad news is that…these options can be confusing. So-called “historical” and “heritage” colors abound but, named after New England towns and 19th-century architects, say more about our associations and aspirations than real history. On the other hand, scientifically researched historically accurate colors can clash with modern ideas of visual comfort (too dark, bright, pale, saturated). And is the goal to recreate what your home might have looked like brand new? Or are the weathered, faded colors more appealing? Even the National Park Service’s Preservation Brief 28: Painting Historic Interiors acknowledges the need for latitude in historic rehabilitation projects where the aim is reuse rather than museum-quality restoration.
Let’s face it – a great paint job is not (and should not be) cheap. It involves highly skilled labor, a lot of prep, and, to be environmentally responsible, quality non-toxic materials that will last a long time. As a result, paint can be as significant an investment as a new roof. So, take your time, gather inspiration from historical and other design sources, try out various colors and combinations on a sample section of your house, and work with a professional consultant if you need additional guidance.
For more insights, join me over at the Worth Preserving blog and get my free download, “A Rehabilitation Checklist for People Who Love Old Houses”.
AUTHOR KATE WOOD grew up criss-crossing the country in the family’s Volkswagen Bus, visiting house museums, battlefields, Main Streets, and national parks. Today, she is an award-winning preservationist, real estate broker and principal of the full-service historic rehabilitation consulting firm, Worth Preserving. Kate believes in the essential value of old-building stewardship to sustain community character. For her, each property is a cause and each client a fellow advocate. She specializes in matching people with properties, skilled contractors, historic tax credits and other benefits to support top-tier rehabilitation projects.
