Exterior Paint Colors - What is Historically Accurate?

by Deb Crowell

Having owned several historic homes, knowing what exterior paint color combinations were historically correct was often a conundrum.  Since none of my homes had original clapboards or trim, it was not possible to determine its original colors.  Given that, I relied on restoration resources to guide me.  One of the best articles I found was prepared by John Fiske for the Ipswich Historical Commission and the Architectural Preservation District.  Here are the cliff notes.

Colonial Period (1640-1780)

First Period (1640-1720s) Clapboards oftentimes were not painted or stained, but left to weather. Trim was then either left unpainted or painted Indian red/Spanish brown. If they were painted, generally it was two colors with their trim and sash the same color and the door distinct.

Second Period or Georgian (1725-1780) In this period body colors included dark stone colors, chocolates, orange, ochers, greys and reds.  Trim was almost always white, however, the white had a more yellow tone when compared to today’s bright whites. Doors were always a dark color and typically selecting from chocolate, red, green or blue.

1740—1780, Second Period: Meetinghouse Blue, 

Standish Blue, Landon Dove, Parsnip

Federal Period (1780-1830)

The federal period saw a shift away from the stronger Georgian colors.  The favored body colors were white, cream and straw, however, orange, pea-green, red and slate were also seen. Trim was white or the same color as the body while shutters and doors were dark green or black.

Greek Revival (1825-1860)

The earth-based pigments and natural stone colors of the federal period continued until the 1850s. The body colors were the same with white or off white, stone (such as greys, pale blue greys, grey browns and tan) and straw (ochres and yellows).  White, off-white and cream continued to be the colors of choice for trim.  However, sash was now often painted black.  The most common color scheme was a white or off-white body, green doors and shutters and black sash.

Early Victorian (1840-1870)

Federal period body color choices continued with traditional stone and earth-colors still popular.  Trim saw a dramatic change as white was not used. Instead it could be a darker shade of the body color or, if the body color was dark, the trim would be a lighter shade.  Sash was often painted the same color as the trim.

1860s—1880’s, Victorian: Picholine, Codman Claret, 

Portobello, Danish Pine

Later Victorian (1870-1900)

Paints were now being mass produced and available in resealable cans resulting in a wide range of possibilities that included pastels and deeper and more saturated colors. Strong contrasts with three color schemes for the exterior became the norm.  The three-color scheme was most popular with body, trim and sash all being distinct colors.  The sash, along with the doors and shutters, were always the darkest of the three colors. The color selection was based on color harmony; either harmony by analogy (adjacent colors on the color wheel) or harmony by contrast (opposite colors on the wheel).

Second Empire/Mansard (1855-1885)

A neutral palette continued at the beginning of this period with greys, tans, ochers and warm beiges prevalent.  Later, stronger colors appeared in combinations that included russets, olives, grey-green, ochers and browns.  Body and trim were typically two shades of the same color with the trim often being the lighter shade.  Sash, doors and shutters were black or very dark green.

Queen Anne (1880-1915)

This period is easily recognizable due to the use of different architectural elements including towers, bays, gables, porches and varied size windows. This architectural style lent itself perfectly  to four and sometimes five-color schemes. The body would be one or two intense colors.  If the house had shingles and clapboards, each would be its own color.  Trim color would be chosen to unify the two body colors with decorative accents painted a distinct color.  The sash would be the darkest color with choices typically being dark green, deep brown, black, dark red, maroon, chocolate, or deep umber.

Shingle (1880-1990)

As the name suggests, a “woody” appearance was dictated. The body would typically be stained or painted deep brown. Dark olives, grey-browns and dark greens were also seen.  Trim would be beige, tan or a dark contrasting color such as dark green, dark olive, or maroon.  Sash and doors were always dark.

Now you have an overall idea of what is appropriate for your period house when choosing body, trim, sash, shutter and door colors.  But where do I find paint formulated in the right shade and which shade do I choose?  To takeout the guesswork, Historic New England outlines precisely which colors are appropriate for each period using California Paints color chart, Historic Colors of America. 

Historic New England/California Paints chart

To get the color selections click here

To read the full article by John Fiske click here

Reading:  “The Anatomy of Color: The Story of Heritage Paints and Pigments” by Patrick Baty.  Find it on Amazon here

That Cotuit Ghost

The Barnstable Patriot began production in June of 1830.  The first 100 years are archived and available online at the Sturgis Library's website.  To celebrate Hallowe'en, feast upon this article, printed in the Barnstable Patriot, December 30, 1884 that describes some strange happenings in Cotuit.

We clip the following ''Ghost Story " from the Boston Daily Globe. On inquiry at Cotuit we learn that the stories reported in the Globe were in circulation in that village about a month ago, and when investigated were found to have no foundation—except in the lively imagination of some few people.— There is no doubt but some evil minded person did throw a stone at the carriage and horse of Mr. Levi P. Nickerson, and it is hoped the scamp may be detected: 

Cotuit's Mystery.—"Spirit of Health, or Goblin Damned/'—An Apparition With a Fondness for Late Hours and Forest Glades.—Throwing Stones a Pound in Weight at a Passing Pedlar.

 Cotuit, December 23.—"Yessir, I've seen it once; an' my husband's seen it _sev'ral times. Others has seen it, too." 

So said Mrs. George Childs of Cotuit, Mass., in reference to a mysterious something which has for some time been agitating the little village. The latter—in reality a part of the town of Barnstable—is picturesquely situated on an arm of Vineyard Sound and has a population of about 600. The principal occupations of its inhabitants are blue-fishing and coasting—in its nautical sense—and there is but little danger of error in addressing any one of its older male inhabitants as "captain." It is the summer home of about a dozen Boston families, its distance from the railroad—seven miles—making it a particularly secluded resort. North ol the village, between it and West Barnstable, is a dense forest, in or near which, and always in the night time, the strange something has appeared. One of the times my husband saw it continued Mrs. Childs, "he was kinder sittin' down—just a lightin' his pipe when it came along, an' nearly passed over him. He said it 'peared like a tall woman,dressed all in black with a black veil over her head, reachin' down to her shoulders. He said 'Hey there,' kinder sharp, but it didn't make no answer; an' was out of sight in a minute. The same thing passed right close to him another night, an' he said, 'Good evenin'' but there wasn't no answer." "When did you see it yourself?" "It was the night the band played here. I was walkin' along the road with mother, an' she said suddenly: 'Did you see that?' I turned an' set; what looked jest like a woman dressed all in black, her head covered with a black veil jest as my husband said. She was standin' by a tree when I see her an ' the next minute she was gone. It had brushed right by mother. If it's a, ghost, it's a black one that's sure, it was just about 9 o'clock when we see it." 

Mr. Childs' house is situated in a lonely spot about half a mile from the centre of the village, and it was within a short distance of his house that the apparition, if apparition it be, was seen. 

Mr. Millard Adams of Cotuit was next interrogated: "I saw it, " he said, "at about the same place as the others. It looked to me like a tallish woman. I couldn't say how it was dressed. I stopped when I see it, and the next minute it brushed right past me an' disappeared. It was just about 11 o'clock when I see it. I did not say anything to it at all." 

"When I saw it," said Mr. Eugene Crowell, "it was about 8 o'clock. It was starlight, but there wasn't any moon an' I was coming along the road with Ezra Hobson. When we see it was right up to us, an' it looked like a tall woman dressed in black her head and face covered with a black veil. It rushed right by me and was gone, like a flash. Neither of us said a word to it." 

"I will tell you my experience, " said Mr. Levi P. Nickerson. "Let me see, it was the 4th of this month. I was driving in from Osterville—I'm a peddler—an' was sitltin' on the right-hand side of the seat kinder leanin' up against the side of the cart, havin' a smoke. The night wasn't very clear, it was kinder misty, an' it was about 6 o 'clock. I'd just come to the woods between Marston's Mills an' here, on the stage road, when, wish! came a large stone out of the bushes, striking my horse oh his right side. I looked in that direction and saw a movement in the bushes like a man's arm and the next instant another stone whizzed by my head made a hole in the wagon cover and dropped in the team. My horse is afraid of the whip and when the stone struck him he set off on the run. I pulled him in as soon as I could, within maybe twenty yards and got out of the team and walked back a way, but I was empty-handed and didn't go far. The only thing I saw at all besides the stones was the slight movement in the bushes, like a man's arm and a dim outline of something or other; I could not say what. It looked to me as if it might be a tall man, with a long coat.— The stone which dropped in the wagon weighed all of a pound, and appeared to be a piece of a grindstone. It was different from any kind of stone you would expect to find in those woods." 

"Yes, " said Mrs. Nickerson "there is mystery even about the stone, and I've been frightened ever since." 

All the parties quoted are well-known residents of Cotuit and their varacity is beyond question. One other incident of a mysterious nature has taken place since those above related. Willie A. Sturgis of the schooner John Stroupe, now in Boston harbor, and Captain Willis T. Nickerson of the schooner Nellie C. Paine were driving into Cotuit the other evening and when near the scene of Mr. Nickerson's adventure, suddenly beheld what appeared to be a tall man standing in the road in front of them. Their horse was going rapidly at the time, and when they yelled at the apparition it appeared-to step to one side and they passed by it so near that it seemed as if they touched it. 

The testimony of these gentlemen, as that of the others quoted, is beyond question. Furthermore, the town is strictly temperate, nothing whatever of an alcoholic nature being sold in it.— 

The bushes through which the phantom arm was seen by Mr. Nickerson were visited to-day and in their cheerless winter garb seemed a fitting abode for a- restless inhabitant of the other world. With the exception of the stone throwing it has shown no disposition to molest any one, the only fault to be found with it otherwise being its fondness for late hours and forest glades. All attempts to unravel the mystery have thus far, proved unsuccessful.

Open House, Sunday Oct 8th Noon to 2 PM - 11 Water St., Sandwich, MA

11 Water St., Sandwich, MA, listed by Nancy Muccini, Kinlin Grover
Offered at $775,000, 5 bedrooms, 3 baths

Nancy Muccini, a friend and colleague of ours at Kinlin Grover, has this wonderful listing right in the heart of Sandwich village that I'd like to share with you.  The home has a lengthy history, having been built in 1750 by Benjamin Fessenden, Jr. and his sister Ruth, who owned the public house on Main St. (now known as the Dan'l Webster Inn).

At times, we work with clients who love the history, character-rich exposed beams and stately facade of an historic home, but also prefer the open floor plan and updated systems that come with a newer home.  This house is calling for that buyer!  In 1994, the home was renovated down to the timbers and has newer plumbing, electrical wiring, and insulation.  The timber frame was left exposed and adds a warmth to the open floor plan which is so often lacking in many newer homes.  The central fireplace is a 20th century addition to the house and is a cozy focal point from many areas of the main floor.

The exposed beams show pit sawn marks on the sides and
evidence of previous lath on the undersides, indicating that there was
once plaster attached to the beams.

I visited the basement which is often the deal breaker area for buyers who are hesitant about purchasing an antique home.  This one was hand dug in the mid 20th century and looks like it has had substantial work done to the underpinning of the home.

The gardens surrounding the home are beautiful and, as a huge fan of "garden rooms", I really appreciated the separate areas of the landscape, framed by trimmed hedges.  Sitting on 1.35 acres, the home is just across the street from lovely Shawme pond and is a quick jaunt for a wood fired pizza at the Brown Jug or a cup of Haddock Chowder at Beth's Bakery.

The Open House is this Sunday, Oct. 8th, from noon to 2 PM

$775,000

5 Bedrooms

3 Baths

3925 sf

Historic House For Sale Tour - Judah Baker House

Judah Baker house, front facade, classic 3/4 cape
494 Main St., S. Dennis, MA

3 bedrooms and 2 full baths, 1869 square feet.  Asking price is $425,000

Today we are going to tour the new listing of our friend and colleague at Kinlin Grover, Cindy Muzyka.  494 Main St., otherwise know as the Judah Baker house, is located in one of the most charming historic villages on the Cape, the South Dennis Historic District.

The house is a classic 3/4 cape and dates to 1829.  Judah was a housewright, known today as a builder, or more accurately, a carpenter who built homes.  The home has simple but elegantly proportioned rooms and retains much of its early 19th century fabric.

Large kitchen with lots of light

Now that's a pantry!

Many of our clients pine for exactly this type of house.  It has been preserved over the years in close to its original layout.  The kitchen was added to an ell off the back of the house, sparing the original kitchen which is now the living room (or could be used as a dining room).  The kitchen itself is older and in need of a renovation.  However, it is large and bright and has one of the most charming pantries I've ever seen.

This room would once have been the original kitchen.
There have been later changes to the fireplace

The front parlor, currently set up as a bedroom

The bathroom is located off what would have been the original kitchen, in the original borning room and the buttery.  This too is in need of updating, but has ample space to work with.

We could go for a lemonade on this screened in porch!

This small room to the left of the front door would once have
been a bedroom.  Makes a wonderful home office.

To the left of the front door is one of the original bedrooms and to the right is the parlor. These rooms retain their original flooring, charming cupboards and doors with thumb latches.  They all have fireplaces, though there have been some modifications to the fireboxes over time.  Exploring the main section of the house is like stepping back in time.

Upstairs bedroom

Upstairs opens into a spacious room at the landing which leads to two original bedrooms.  This area of the house does need some attention to the plaster, but again, retains original floors, trim and doors.  The area of the house which has seen the most recent renovations is the accessed via a door upstairs or from a separate staircase.

Upstairs bedroom under the eaves

Through this door, lies a studio apartment with its own kitchen and large windows overlooking the private back yard.  If the next owner would prefer to use this as a master bedroom, it could easily be converted.

Upstairs one bedroom apartment

The property has 1.76 mostly wooded acres.  It sits prettily among other historic homes and faces Main St.  It also has a two car garage and a recently installed septic system.

The property is in close proximity to the new bike path as well as conservation land and Bass River on 1.76 mostly wooded acres.  Would you like to see it?  Give us a call, 774-994-1337 or email info@historichomescapecod.com.

Workshop or gardening shed

Two car garage with workshop visible beyond to the right