Most houses look pretty predictable from the outside. They’re typically painted unassuming colors that stay in style for decades and still appeal to passersby and perhaps home shoppers down the road.
But then there are the dwellings that stand out: They’re bright purple, lime green or red. These outliers grab attention. Unlike an inside accent wall, their size — say, 40 feet long — along with sunshine amplify color’s intensity.
During the pandemic, when people hunkered at home, paint companies noticed more willingness to take a stand with outdoor color, mostly in a contained way, such as a pink or dusty lavender front door.
Almost everyone except paint daredevils remained cautious with siding colors, using traditional neutrals or the popular modern farmhouse style of stark white walls with black trim. The practical reason: Changing colors is expensive.
While San Francisco is famous for fog-piercing, saturated and so-called Painted Lady colors including yellow, teal and orange on Victorian-era houses, experts say homeowners in the Pacific Northwest lean toward forest greens, earthy browns and navy blues that create appealing backdrops for landscaping and gardens.
Black, charcoal and deep, dark exterior colors that almost look black are also hits here. They’re chic and timeless, especially on modern dwellings, says Jon Haaland, an artist, colorist and color consultant at The Paint Laboratory in Seattle.
The Paint Laboratory's custom paints are seen on this house: Carbon body, Sea 8 soffits, Custom Black trim to match the aluminum on the windows, and a Celadon 1 front door.The Paint Laboratory
One of his recent projects was a single-story house with exterior walls in Carbon, soffits in Sea 8 and a custom Black trim to match the aluminum-framed windows.
The front door is Celadon, says Haaland, whose clients are design focused.
At Miller Paint, which started in Portland in 1890, deep, dark navy, green and brown span architectural styles, from Craftsman to contemporary, says Puji Sherer, the company’s vice president of marketing, color and brand.
“We are seeing homeowners embrace moody hues to add contrast and sophistication to their exteriors,” she says.
Miller Paint's Asher Benjamin H0063 A is seen on this Irvington house.Miller Paint
Miller Paint’s new Northwest Color Collection includes 132 interior and exterior choices, from White Pepper and Garden Moss to Lagoon Lullaby and Mulberry, all with gray undertones.
Barn Rafter is a dark brown with muting grayish undertones and, when the sunlight hits, purple undertones.
The variety of colors available can be overwhelming, says Sherer. Color collections, curated to work together, make it easier to select a harmonious palette.
Companies like Miller Paint and the Paint Laboratory offer onsite or virtual consultations.
In the end, say paint makers, it’s like picking art: What makes you feel good?
— Janet Eastman | 503-294-4072
jeastman@oregonian.com | @janeteastman
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