Shingle Style Historic Homes
This past year I’ve had a large number of clients with what architectural historians call “Shingle Style” homes. These were generally built in the latter part of the 19th century and the first few years of the 20th. This influx got me thinking of what color choices people in that time period had. In my research collection I came across an 1899 Cabot Stains brochure with actual stained wood samples, as well as a few pictures of stained homes. I was not surprised to see the normal run of brown offerings. But what struck me was the brightness of the green offerings. These do match up well to modern day paint and stain colors so that today’s home owner can have an authentic look. It’s always interesting to go back in time to see what was happening with house color over a hundred years ago.
- Cabot Stain wood sample from 1899
Chicago Award Winner
I received an email this past week from a former client who lives in Chicago. They informed me that their house, on which I consulted, had won an award. They were the winners of the 2014 “Chicago’s Finest Painted Ladies.” This award is issued annually by the Chicago Paint and Coatings Association. As soon as I receive pictures from the owners I’ll post those in the Portfolio section of this web site.
If memory serves me correctly, this is the third of my homes that have won this award. I want to thank those client for choosig me to assist them build an exciting color scheme for their historic homes and for entering them in the contest.
Congratulations to the Berry family!!!
2014 Painted Ladies Grand Prize Winner
Oswego, NY “Paint It” program
The “Paint Oswego” program is one arm of a multi-faceted revitalization effort for the City of Oswego in upstate New York. The Oswego Renaissance Association offers many services, such as matching grants to homeowners for exterior improvements, streetscape and park improvement funds.
The goal of the Paint Oswego program is to provide Oswegonians with an opportunity to complement their historic homes by choosing from among the rich history of house colors that existed in 19th and early 20th centuries. The coordinated paint schemes developed by Historic House Colors provide ready, at-hand options. The ORA provides incentives to local homeowners in areas targeted for revitalization to choose among these color options. Custom color assistance is available if desired.
Historic House Colors created 60 historically correct period color schemes for Oswego separated into four historic periods. Homeowners can choose from the preset schemes or work with HHC to develop individual house specific colors and color placement.
UPDATE: In 2015 HHC partnered with the Oswego Renaissance Association to add 30 additional colors to the available stock of historic paint schemes.
Rob Schweitzer – Historic House Colors
Mobile, Alabama Home Tour 2014
Mobile, Alabama Historic Homes Tour
Sponsored by the Historic Mobile Preservation Society
Held annually in March for the past 45 years, it provides an opportunity to see inside some of the lovely older homes in the city. This year’s 8 homes were centered around historic Washington Square in the Oakleigh Garden Historic District. The tour was entitled “Contemporary Living in Historic Settings.” Homes from the 1850s to the early 20th century were on display. For this Northerner, it was a thrill to see into the gentile Southern life style so uncommon up here in Michigan. I was struck not only by the beauty of the homes, loving restored, but the fine furnishings and knowledgeable guides. I never saw so many grand pianos in one small location – likely a tribute to the Antebellum Southern culture where musical proficiency was an essential skill.
If you are in the South in March I highly recommend attending this well-organized tour that will allow you to brush up on your refinement techniques!
Sponsored by the Historic Mobile Preservation Society
Held annually in March for the past 45 years, it provides an opportunity to see inside some of the lovely older homes in the city. This year’s 8 homes were centered around historic Washington Square in the Oakleigh Garden Historic District. The tour was entitled “Contemporary Living in Historic Settings.” Homes from the 1850s to the early 20th century were on display. For this Northerner, it was a thrill to see into the gentile Southern life style so uncommon up here in Michigan. I was struck not only by the beauty of the homes, loving restored, but the fine furnishings and knowledgeable guides. I never saw so many grand pianos in one small location – likely a tribute to the Antebellum Southern culture where musical proficiency was an essential skill.
If you are in the South in March I highly recommend attending this well-organized tour that will allow you to brush up on your refinement techniques!
Rob Schweitzer – Historic House Colors
