An authentic color palette lends believability to historic room designs.
Antique paint colors help to re-create historic designs and add character to modern living spaces. Furniture and decorative crafts may also be painted with antique colors to contribute to a shabby chic or period remodel. While available in both latex and oil-based form, latex paint is easier to work with and more durable, making it an excellent option for high-traffic rooms and families with children.
Greek Revival
Greek revival was an architectural fad that influenced construction during the early 1800s. The resulting buildings were angular and featured columns, archways, friezes and a muted color palette. Restoring or re-creating this look requires a simple palette of white, light gray, ecru and tan. Valspar offers a range of colors within this category, such as Homestead Resort Sunwash, Ultra White and Olive Suede.
Colonial
Elements of Greek revival were still present in the physical structure of Colonial revival homes.
In the late 1800s and again in the early 1900s, the Colonial revival movement introduced a bright but cool color scheme. Blue, green and red over a yellow base are central to this style. Hawthorne yellow or Stuart gold from Benjamin Moore provide a suitable base. Colonial revival homes set off trim and decorative elements with high-contrast pairings. Red brick homes built during this time featured white window frames, and green or gray roofs.
Tudor
Red brick paint is fundamental to this palette.
Inspired by the English Renaissance, Tudor architecture gained popularity in the 1920s. Tudor homes share a color scheme with Colonial houses. However, the color scheme is occasionally reversed (i.e. a dark base and light trim). Tudor-style decor suits kitchens and sitting rooms that feature dark wood and brick. Other colors specific to Tudor style are olive green and slate gray.
Specific Sites
The National Trust for Historic Preservation, in conjunction with Valspar, produced a series of paint palettes that are based on historically significant buildings, such as the St. Francis Hotel, Belle Grove, Betty White's house and the Carolina Inn. These color lists are available for free on the National Trust website.
Eclectic
The 1900s has been a period of rapid growth and architectural experimentation. As a result, there is a wide range of paint colors that are considered "vintage" or "antique." California Paints, Historic New England and small businesses such as Old Village Paint produce palettes that reflect this diversity. These antique paint colors range from Jewett white to Robin's Egg blue.
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