Victorian House or Painted Lady Color Schemes
Matching Original House Paint, Suggestions for New Color Schemes
Apr 7, 2009
Painted lady houses date back to the mid to late 1800s. Most of them are built in the Queen Anne architectural style. Other house styles common to that era are the more sprawling Greek Revival and Colonial style. A well-planned color scheme can draw out the beauty in these types of Victorian houses, as well.
Painted Ladies are known for their vibrant colors and intricate detailing. According to contemporary standards, to qualify as a true Painted Lady, a house must meet three criteria. It must be painted in three or more contrasting colors, the colors must display a balanced, harmonious blend of color and architecture, and the colors must also be used to bring out the decorative embellishments of the house. Somtimes as many as 11 colors are used on the same home to get the desired effect.
Matching the Original Color Scheme or Choosing a Historic Color Scheme
A professional can use existing paint chips to match and recreate a historic home’s original colors. Or historic charts can be referred to in order to find possible matches or new, yet authentic color schemes that are in keeping with the time era.
Many original Victorian homes were done in stately colors. Suggested color schemes include:
- dark green and olive walls, trim and accents in blue, yellow, and sand
- brown and light green walls, trim in cream, dark green and terracotta for detailing around windows.
Neutral Color Schemes
Many stately Victorian homes or Painted Ladies use either a white or beige for the main color, then either pastels or brilliant colors for trim and detailing. Here are some suggestions:
- white or beige walls, trim and accents in pastels such as rose, light blue, or pale green
- white or beige walls, trim and accents in deep colors such as forest green or dep red
Shades of Purple and Rose
Some of the prettiest houses use shades of the same colors that blend in perfect harmony. Here are some sugggestion:
- plum, raspberry, mauve for walls, gables and turrets, cream trim for porches and windows
- mauve, light mauve for walls, brown and red for trim and accents
- 5-color rose scheme: dusty rose, violet, burgundy for walls, blue-gray and cream for trim
Bold Color Schemes
Some owners choose to paint their house in very bright, bold colors. Contrasting bold primary and secondary colors such as red and green, yellow and violet, or blue and orange can create a flair for drama. Here are some suggestions:
- Forest green walls with red trim can create a bright, Christmas-like effect
- Orange walls with bright blue trim would never get ignored.
There are many ways to make a Painted Lady or Victorian home stand out. These are just a few suggestions. With a little imagination, the possibilities are endless.
Click this link to view another article on Victorian architecture: What Are Painted Lady Houses? How to Identify Lovely Victorian Homes Painted in Multiple Layers
Click here to view Sherman Williams Historic Color Palettes
Read more: How to Create your Own Painted Lady
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