Winter 2010

News from Bonnie Krims Color Studio

I had a wonderful time this winter working on the latest This Old House® project which is located in Roxbury, MA. My job was to select all of the exterior color elements starting with the roof shingle color. The house is an 1870’s Second Empire Victorian and the mansard roof is its most distinctive feature, so that’s where we began. The show has been shot and will air on PBS Television next month, probably in early February. Please stay tuned. For more on the Roxbury Project click here.

Norm and me in Roxbury

The Roxbury Project: 2nd Empire House. The work crew on break.

Bonnie with This Old House Producer Deborah Hood, and Norm.

 
A Refined Palette

I have always had an interest in historic paint colors. No surprise there, given my New England roots. The public’s fascination with historic paint colors focuses largely on houses of the late 19th century. American architecture was displaying a lot of exterior detail and there were major innovations in the production and distribution of paint. The first ready-mixed paints became available about 1870. Colors were light and medium shades and not very bright.

In colonial times, bright colors were used fairly often. These pigments were expensive and houses painted in bold hues made a real impression. Victorian colors tended to be more earthy and somber using darker values.

Now, however, I often turn to today’s clean, fresh exterior colors for historic homes. It really depends on the client’s preferences. When it is not obvious, I always enjoy the challenge of determining the house's style before making color selections. This can be difficult, as so many houses combine elements of more than one style. A Victorian could really be a Greek Revival transitioning to an Italianate transitioning to the Victorian period. Whew!

A diamond in the rough

Modern color scheme

Historically informed color scheme

 SPECIAL OFFER ON EXTERIOR CONSULTATION 

Over the years I have designed and compiled a vast collection of color schemes which include both historic and modern color palettes that were designed for my clients. I routinely refer to this arsenal of color as I plan schemes for new clients.

To celebrate my participation with This Old House® on their 30th Anniversary, and for a limited time, I am offering a “special” on exterior color consultations. Receive one beautiful color scheme for your house for just $450.* Please reference this newsletter when contacting me in order to receive this special. To take advantage of this offer, please use the Exterior Palettes consultation materials here, then click here to email me and mention this offer.

This offer is being made in addition to my standard, more extensive exterior consultation services. Click here for standard exterior consultation.

What exactly does color do for a home exterior? Here is a summary from mentor, Frank Mahnke, at the International Association of Color Consultants (IACC).

• Makes a building appear pleasant, well-proportioned, stimulating
• Brings a building in harmony with its surroundings.
• Gives individuality to buildings that exhibit the same or similar design
• Differentiates, contains, unites, equalizes, underlines or draws attention to proportions
• Gives identity to a city or neighborhood
• Helps to satisfy the demand for a cultural and sociological responsibility in the townscape
• Counters “visual” pollution

As you prepare for the coming of spring 2010 and the many home-related projects on your list, consider the most transformative improvement of all; a fresh new look and layer of protection for your most prized investment.

*Certain limitations apply on “special” exterior consultation offer. Contact me for details.

Best Wishes,

--Bonnie