Why shouldn't your home stand out from the crowd?

Original Design Painting can help you select a unique interior and exterior palette that reflects your preferences and personality, while adding interest, value and curb appeal to your home.

Whether you prefer historically accurate color schemes or something a little more contemporary, Original Design Painting can take the guesswork out of choosing paint by identifying the hues that will work best for you.

If this sounds like you, don't worry! Original Design Painting can help you choose the hues that will make your building come alive ? inside and out!

A well-chosen selection of contrasting trim and accent colors can draw attention to architectural details and disguise design flaws. A poor selection can make a house seem flat and featureless -- Or so garish that the color overwhelms the architecture. But, how do you decide?

The simpler your house, the fewer colors you'll need. For an elaborate Victorian, plan to use four to six colors. Light colors will make your house seem larger. Dark colors or bands of trim will make your house seem smaller, but will draw more attention to details. For some accents, consider using darker or lighter shades instead of changing color.

Historic Authenticity

If you are planning to paint an older home, you have three options.

• You can hire a pro to analyze old paint chips and recreate the original color.
• You can refer to historic color charts and select shades that might have been used at the time your home was built.
• Or, you can fly in the face of history and choose bright modern colors to dramatize architectural details.

The third option can produce startling and exciting results. But before you buy 10 gallons of bubblegum pink, it's a good idea to look at what your neighbors are doing.

Existing Colors

Your house is your canvas, but it is not blank. Some colors are already established. What color is your roof? Is there mortar or other siding that will not be painted? Will doors and railings remain their existing colors?

New paint does not need to match existing colors, but it should harmonize.

1. Begin with colors suggested by your roof and masonry.
2. Consider the color schemes used inside your home. Exterior colors should harmonize with the interior.
3. Don't clash with your neighbors! Choose colors that coordinate with the buildings around you.
4. Large surfaces make paint look lighter. Consider selecting darker shades.
5. Remember that very bright or very deep colors will fade.
6. To emphasize architectural details, outline them with an accent color that contrasts with the background.
7. Use darker colors to emphasize shadows and lighter colors to show projections.
8. Avoid extreme contrasts. Choose colors that are related.
9. Study color samples outside, but never in direct sunlight. Bright sun will distort the color.
10. Photocopy a sketch or photograph of your house. Use watercolors or colored pencils to try color combinations.
11. Before buying large quantities of paint, buy quarts of your selected colors and paint one area of your house.
12. Take your time... be creative... and have fun!