Help Christa choose an exterior paint color for her 1961 house
pam kueber - Updated: April 1, 2011
Retro Renovation stopped publishing in 2021; these stories remain for historical information, as potential continued resources, and for archival purposes.
Since moving into her midcentury modest house a year ago, Christa has been having a ball updating the inside to reflect its 1961 architectural roots. Now, she’s ready to paint the outside — and has asked for ideas. Note in particular the rock wall — how to work it in? Read on for more background… then share your ideas about what paint colors she should use to freshen up the exterior of this adorable 1961 home.
Christa writes:
Hello Pam,
I’m a long time reader and admirer of Retro Renovation. When we moved in to our 1961 Vancouver Island house last April, your site provided oodles of inspiration for me!
Christa says: My husband Garrett and 5-year-old son, Emmit. Here's one from an evening last Summer, when Emmit set up his toys so that he could put on a show for them 🙂
Since moving in, I have painted almost all of the interior, save for the staircase, and completed many small projects to rejuvenate our home with a bit of colourful 1960s flair.
It’s been a ton of fun, and now that we’re cruising toward Summer, I’m anticipating painting the house’s exterior so that the outside will match the inside in pizazz. I have been browsing your paint inspiration collections, Flickr, and my own collections of vintage house magazines, and I’ve got nothing- I need your help!
I’m inclined to incorporate some aqua or seafoam, and/or mustard, burnt orange, pink, even black — really I’m all over the map and coming to a place of confusion in regards to what will actually suit the house. What will help it ‘pop’?
And what do I do with the rock wall? Does one paint any part of it, or just leave it? I feel lost. Any guidance you, or your readers could provide would be SO appreciated.
Yours in thrifty mid century modest-ness,
Christa
Christa, you have a lovely house, it just seems so idyllic. And, Vancouver Island: One of my favorite places in the world!
Readers, what do you think? What paint color(s) should Christa use to add curb appeal to her 1961 house? And, how should she deal with the rock wall facade?
I love the gull wing gables! It reminds me a lot of a similar ranch I would pass everyday on my way to school as a kid. That house was painted Aqua and I loved it, so I’d strongly suggest something in the Aqua family.
Don’t know why I didn’t think about this earlier, but when I was about 14 we lived in a mid-century ranch that was aqua, with slightly off-white trim, and it had those same rocks in a wide swath down the center of one wall (about a six-foot width.) This was in Southern California and it was a knock-out color combo. The awful part is, I have to confess: my father had us paint the rocks white! Aaaack! I’m still ashamed!
Chasesays
I think that a nice coral or a warm copper color with the white trim and unpainted stone would look great.
Definitely keep the stone as-is don’t paint it!
You could even try a nice muted sage with a buttery/muted gold trim and the unpainted stone.
I think that your house would look great with some sort of warm hue. The grey and charcoal suggestions just seem so cold, and don’t seem like they would be taking you very far in regards to your color dilemma.
Gavin Hastingssays
Look at the fouth picture from the top, the shaded area: If you take my suggesrtion with a charcoa paintl…that stonework is going to be gorgeous!
I had to check back and see the progress of comments.
Lorisays
Cute house and the garden is wonderful!!
I work in the paint department at a home improvement store and I would not recommend painting your rock. Once it is done you can never undo it. It really makes your house special.
Choose a neutral color for the base of your house that will work well with your roof but not completely match it. I think aqua or coral will look great with the stone for an accent color for your trim. Whatever you decide do the opposite of your trim for the front door for that extra pop!!
I would consider getting new garage doors that will make a huge difference.
Good luck!!
Jaysays
What a cute house. Please do not paint the rocks, I trust it was one of the features that attracted you to the house in the first place. I never could understand why someone would buy a brick house and then paint it. For those who question its authenticity, here in suburban Phial., PA many post war ranches and splits were built from this type of rock, brick and stucco or a combination. My own ranch is a brick front facade and the rest of the walls are clad in stucco and it is very much original to its construction as it acts as the exterior skin for the cement block that the house was built from. Love the yard! Can’t wait to see the “after”pictures.
judy h.says
Dear Christa, I love your house. I also have a mid-century house. I love the rock on your house. Please leave it. I think it gives so much integrity and character to your home. I really like the idea of a seafoam green, sea mist color or a rich aqua. How do you feel about your wrought iron? I’ve lived in my home for 15 yrs. and still haven’t decided to keep it or do something in wood. So, we just give it a good spray coat of matte white every 3 years, someday I’ll decide. Good Luck!
pam kuebersays
I love the wrought iron. I am working on a follow up post (not sure how fast I will get it up) and it will for sure include discussion of playing up that wrought iron. Keep it!!!!
One more thing…..isn’t there always?
If you go with a dark gray, I would repaint where the “grout” on the rocks has weathered away. It is very distinct by the doorway.
Have fun…and as Pam says “Love the House You’re IN”…as opposed to redesigning the whole facade! Cheers.
Daniel milessays
i say i pretty little pastel yellow or pinkish red will you do you jus fine!
Since moving into her midcentury modest house a year ago, Christa has been having a ball updating the inside to reflect its 1961 architectural roots. Now, she’s ready to paint the outside — and has asked for ideas. Note in particular the rock wall — how to work it in? Read on for more background… then share your ideas about what paint colors she should use to freshen up the exterior of this adorable 1961 home.
error404 says
I love the gull wing gables! It reminds me a lot of a similar ranch I would pass everyday on my way to school as a kid. That house was painted Aqua and I loved it, so I’d strongly suggest something in the Aqua family.
Jane / MulchMaid / Elvis says
Don’t know why I didn’t think about this earlier, but when I was about 14 we lived in a mid-century ranch that was aqua, with slightly off-white trim, and it had those same rocks in a wide swath down the center of one wall (about a six-foot width.) This was in Southern California and it was a knock-out color combo. The awful part is, I have to confess: my father had us paint the rocks white! Aaaack! I’m still ashamed!
Chase says
I think that a nice coral or a warm copper color with the white trim and unpainted stone would look great.
Definitely keep the stone as-is don’t paint it!
You could even try a nice muted sage with a buttery/muted gold trim and the unpainted stone.
I think that your house would look great with some sort of warm hue. The grey and charcoal suggestions just seem so cold, and don’t seem like they would be taking you very far in regards to your color dilemma.
Gavin Hastings says
Look at the fouth picture from the top, the shaded area: If you take my suggesrtion with a charcoa paintl…that stonework is going to be gorgeous!
I had to check back and see the progress of comments.
Lori says
Cute house and the garden is wonderful!!
I work in the paint department at a home improvement store and I would not recommend painting your rock. Once it is done you can never undo it. It really makes your house special.
Choose a neutral color for the base of your house that will work well with your roof but not completely match it. I think aqua or coral will look great with the stone for an accent color for your trim. Whatever you decide do the opposite of your trim for the front door for that extra pop!!
I would consider getting new garage doors that will make a huge difference.
Good luck!!
Jay says
What a cute house. Please do not paint the rocks, I trust it was one of the features that attracted you to the house in the first place. I never could understand why someone would buy a brick house and then paint it. For those who question its authenticity, here in suburban Phial., PA many post war ranches and splits were built from this type of rock, brick and stucco or a combination. My own ranch is a brick front facade and the rest of the walls are clad in stucco and it is very much original to its construction as it acts as the exterior skin for the cement block that the house was built from. Love the yard! Can’t wait to see the “after”pictures.
judy h. says
Dear Christa, I love your house. I also have a mid-century house. I love the rock on your house. Please leave it. I think it gives so much integrity and character to your home. I really like the idea of a seafoam green, sea mist color or a rich aqua. How do you feel about your wrought iron? I’ve lived in my home for 15 yrs. and still haven’t decided to keep it or do something in wood. So, we just give it a good spray coat of matte white every 3 years, someday I’ll decide. Good Luck!
pam kueber says
I love the wrought iron. I am working on a follow up post (not sure how fast I will get it up) and it will for sure include discussion of playing up that wrought iron. Keep it!!!!
Karine says
Paint it in black (or charcoal) ! And replace the rock wall with horizontal wood…. just like this: http://www.ecospacestudios.com/portfolio/garden-studios/work-pod/
Would add a modern touch!
Gavin Hastings says
One more thing…..isn’t there always?
If you go with a dark gray, I would repaint where the “grout” on the rocks has weathered away. It is very distinct by the doorway.
Have fun…and as Pam says “Love the House You’re IN”…as opposed to redesigning the whole facade! Cheers.
Daniel miles says
i say i pretty little pastel yellow or pinkish red will you do you jus fine!