properties & PRESERVATION ■ The Color of Integrity The art and science of historic paint colors Brian Roche All photos courtesy Historic New England, unless otherwise attributed. Unless they live in an historic district or strictly controlled community, most Americans feel that choosing their own house color is a basic right. Their choice may be guided by current trends, unwritten neighborhood standards or just plain personal preference, but it’s their own individual decision to make. When it comes to older homes, though, Sally Zimmerman of Historic New England believes choosing a paint color should not just be a matter of taste: “Do what the house is telling you, not just some idea you have from TV or preconceived notions.” At a recent talk at the Cape Ann Museum, Zimmerman explained that whatever age or style of your home, the historic integrity can be “retained, revealed, recaptured or enhanced by the appropriate color,” thus improving both its appearance and real estate value. Most consultants would agree that the best and most attractive choice of color for historic homes relates directly to the architectural style and colors that were available at the time of construction. Even within these parameters, there is a wide variety of color schemes to choose from in any era, and many modern paints and stains available that match or mimic historic finishes. A three-color Victorian house with some historical inaccuracy in the colors of the components of the exterior – the body, the trim and the moveable parts. Historically, the body and trim would have been different colors. NEAJ Photo. Historically appropriate While some homeowners want historical accuracy, and will do the research and testing needed to match an exact paint color for the history of their home, most others may choose a looser “historically appropriate” approach to picking a color. Either way, homeowners should relax about their decision and have some fun. Unlike other alterations, painting is an essential conservation measure that does not affect the historic fabric of the house if done properly, and colors can be easily changed in the future. There is no reason not to be creative. An early colonial house, unpainted except for the sashes, where the paint preserves the putty. The roof is cedar shingle. NEAJ Photo. July 2010 ■ Antiques Journal ■ Page 81