Tattered Folk Character: Before

“We bought a 1910 farmhouse that needs a complete remodel, including a paint job—help!” says Brandi Huff. She’s working to make the Folk Victorian in Milan, Michigan, that she’ll share with her husband and two sons move-in ready. We turned to architectural color consultant Bob Buckter for curb-appeal-boosting ideas.
Architectural Details on Display: After

“People choose white because it’s a no-brainer, but these architectural details deserve to be highlighted,” Buckter says. One tack: Use muted hues for the body and trim—such as the gray-blues, khakis, and pale yellows in the three palettes in this story—and contrasting colors to emphasize eye-catching features, like the fancy spindlework and turned posts. It’s a modern way to apply historically inspired colors.
Brandi’s reaction? “Looks awesome! We were so lost on what to do. The blue house is our favorite—it’s so homey.”
All-American Gray Blue Palette

An all-American classic, steel blue makes for a welcoming facade, especially when paired with ice-blue trim, azure gable ends, and wine-red windows and accents. A charcoal-gray skirt anchors the scheme.
All-American Gray Blue Palette: Steel Blue Facade

Olympic’s Silver Blueberry
All-American Gray Blue Palette: Ice-Blue Trim

Olympic’s Rendezvous
All-American Gray Blue Palette: Azure Gable Ends

Olympic’s Blue Cloud
All-American Gray Blue Palette: Wine-Red Windows

Olympic’s Bordeaux
All-American Gray Blue Palette: Charcoal-Gray Skirt

Olympic’s Granite
Earthy Warm Khaki Palette

Set against an earthy-brown body color, trim and porch floorboards in maroon and a door and windows in turquoise pop. Using a lighter taupe on the stickwork of the gable end sets it apart from the scalloped siding.
Earthy Warm Khaki Palette: Brown Body Color

Behr’s Mississippi Mud
Earthy Warm Khaki Palette: Non-Basic Beige

Behr’s Gobi Desert
Earthy Warm Khaki Palette: Maroon Trim and Floorboards

Behr’s Chianti
Earthy Warm Khaki Palette: Turquoise Door and Windows

Behr’s Agave Frond
Earthy Warm Khaki Palette: Deep Brown Skirt

Behr’s Butternut Wood
Pick a Palette: Creamy Yellow

The warmest palette of the bunch: a French-vanilla body shade, with cinnamon accents and contrasting cool-blue windows.
Creamy Yellow Palette: French-Vanilla Body Shade

Glidden’s Popcorn White
Creamy Yellow Palette: Hint of Gold

Glidden’s Golden Bamboo
Creamy Yellow Palette: Cinnamon Accents

Glidden’s Classic Brick Red
Creamy Yellow Palette: Cool-Blue Door and Windows

Glidden’s Rich Navy
Creamy Yellow Palette: Grounded Brown Skirt

Glidden’s Le Chateau Brown