Italianate Cube, circa 1860, Adrian, Michigan
The use of the darker, harmonizing green-gray shades contrasted with the off-white to highlight all the home’s wonderful architectural details. A subtle contrast in colors provides a restful scheme. The new trim color offers the visual excitement. Homes of this era were becoming darker in tone and depth as new paint technologies allowed for a much wider range of ready-made pigments to be employed.
Almost a class project!
For many years I had an annual class field trip to Adrian to show my students both the exterior and interiors of that cities fine homes. This particular Italianate cube was always a joy to show the students as it had many original features of the pre Civil-War era. The owners asked my one year to help them design a period appropriate color scheme for there then white house. The results made the home a landmark in the historic district.
Goal & Solution
Goal
The family wanted their home to fit into the historic neighborhood with period colors and painted details from the 1860s.
Solution
All the colors for this home were taken from an 1860 historic period paint catalog. Colors were placed according to historic period instructions.
