Historic Preservation

Historic Preservation

As champions of historic preservation we work with clients to not only maintain historic architecture but to also revitalize it and make it more marketable to business owners and homeowners alike. We appreciate seeing similar efforts amongst other designers, architects and developers and we are excited by the growing sensibility to this cause all over the country.

This is a great article ("CityLove" by Lauren Walser in Preservation Magazine) highlighting some of the ideas supporting preservation and showing just how three U.S. cities have been made richer and more alive than ever by understanding the power of historic places.

Creating a better painter/designer dialogue

Creating a better painter/designer dialogue

This is an article we wrote awhile back that we continue to learn from and refer our clients to. In it we discuss how our consulting practices and unique system of communication lead directly to a more enjoyable relationship between homeowner, designer and painter and a much more successful experience overall.

How long does our painting season last?

How long does our painting season last?

We work with homeowners all across the country and they all have the same question: When is it too late to paint? The simple answer is—it depends. Unlike the NFL there is no official first game day that tells us our season has started or come to an end. There are many factors that come into play and different areas will have a longer or shorter painting window than others.

We are located in Denver, Colorado and our season tends to wind down toward the end of September. The main reason for that is the fluctuation of temperatures. It can go from 35 degrees in the morning to 80 by noon and then back down to 50 by dinner time. It’s anybody’s guess how long the sun will shine its light on one particular side of a house allowing for the proper temps to paint by. And as soon as the shadow is cast, so is the worry of having a paint job that lasts. 

Temperatures are of importance of course and we have always played it safe and informed our clients that 50 degrees is as low as you want to go. There are paints that have a lower minimum ambient temperature but they come at a premium cost. Even though your temperature might be just right when your painter has arrived and is ready to roll, you still must consider the temperature fluctuations as I mentioned previously.

Be wary of a painter who dismisses these details and promises to be available and open for business all year round. It just isn’t possible to paint during all seasons and come out with a successful paint job. Both appearance and durability are at risk.

There may be painters who work well into November and even December in some areas, but if they tell you they block off October to May don’t be surprised—and know that next year your home’s paint job will still be there waiting for you and it will look right when it’s done.

Sampling your color scheme

Sampling your color scheme

There is no good way to show what a color scheme will look like before it is done. Surprisingly, computer renderings are actually more deceptive than they are helpful because there are so many variables which cannot be accurately calibrated.

Sampling is an essential part of our system. The only way to see what colors are really going to look like is to paint a sample on your building. Color is totally relative. Most colors will change at scale and may change in proximity to each other, so in order to see the colors correctly you must take this step. 

How do you sample? Buy some quarts of the paint colors in the custom color scheme we have designed for you. In an area about 4 or 5 feet square, where all the colors come together, put up your sample. A cornice area is usually good—or a porch or gable. Paint as indicated on the marked photographs or plans. If you are painting it on the side of a building like around a window—or if the existing siding is a particularly strong color—make sure to paint a large area of the body color so that the old color will not affect the look of the new color. Just painting stripes of colors will not help!

Once it is done stand as far away as possible to look at it. Do not stand right in front of it! Get at least 100 feet away—preferably 100 yards away, no kidding. The farther away you stand the easier it is to envision the building in your mind’s eye as it will look in the new color scheme—and the easier it is to not be influenced by the old colors.

And have fun—the painting process is always an adventure!

Paint Palette Alternatives

Paint Palette Alternatives

Awhile back we were asked to contribute on a design exercise for This Old House magazine. The homeowners wanted to see how different color schemes would effect the appearance of their 1901 Edwardian home, in the hopes of finding the right balance between historical and more current palettes. We were able to use Photoshop to mock up various designs by to assist in the visualization process. Read the entire article to see how each color scheme effected the tone of the architecture and the overall curb appeal and which one the homeowners were most drawn to.

The Mid-Century Modernist Movement

The Mid-Century Modernist Movement

This style harkens back to the architecture of the 50’s and early 60’s. It incorporates everything from late International Style to the ranch style home to California modern. The characteristics are predominantly horizontal and angular buildings with flat or low pitched roofs, wide eaves and lots of glass. This style brought us the patio door and picture window. Interiors are open and unadorned. The exterior materials tend toward panels or smooth faced brick, cut ledge stone, or plain stucco. They are characterized by very simple plans and a lack of any and all decorative elements.

This style, called Mid Mod Revival and its update, Modernist, is extremely popular amongst the Gen-X, Gen-Y and Millennial demographics as well as Boomers who are returning to the homes they grew up in. Nationally there is clearly a desire for something new. People are getting tired of “old” style architecture.

This modernist style seems cool and fresh after three decades of basically 19th century architectural forms and retains the plain open interiors and open kitchen/family room/living space which appeal to the new generation of young adults that have never lived with it before. It also resonates with rekindled interest in simple living and more responsible eco-friendly thinking.

It is rapidly becoming THE style for multi-family housing especially in reviving inner city neighborhoods as well as new building on the urban edges near new light rail transportation systems that are taking hold in most aspiring cities. You will find elements of this style in condos, townhouse and apartment communities of every fashion, from two-story to high rises. It is often called “Loft Style,” trying to capture the fashionable flavor of downtown loft projects. A real draw is that the style is also fairly cheap to build as it has minimal detailing or fussy embellishments. 

The style is basically characterized by concrete, stucco, or smooth faced brick punctuated with panels of metal, wood, tongue-and-groove wood or something similar. Angular metal railings for balconies, stairs and the like are an essential style motif as are large plate glass windows. Commonly now alternative energy ideas are incorporated in the designs—everything from solar panels to grass roofs. Sustainable materials like bamboo are commonly used especially on the interiors.

This is also clearly the preference for the majority of young architects coming onto the scene who are going to be taking over the industry and are hungry to do something new and exciting. This is not a force to be overlooked. Everywhere you look you see new work by young architects who have embraced this direction as their own.

PRO TIP

PRO TIP

Using splotches of colors here and there tear apart the visual statement of a building. They end up looking like postage stamps of color just stuck onto the facade. This is a good example of a home that lost its overall statement and wholeness by using various colors picked with no relation to the building or to each other. Check out our Residence gallery for ideas on how to make the right statement for your home.

Victorian Era Colourists

Victorian Era Colourists

On a recent trip to Scotland I came across the paintings of several artists belonging to a group known as the Glasgow School. The collective work of this group flourished from the 1890s to around 1910. The popularity of these artists was influenced by the heightened economy at the turn of the century in Glasgow. It directly led to an influx in contributions in architecture, design and painting—especially associated with the Art Nouveau movement.

There were examples of these works in many of the museums I visited, including the Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery and the Kelvingrove Gallery and Museum. I was particularly drawn to the collections of these Scottish Colourists and especially impressed by the work of husband and wife team, glass-artist Margaret MacDonald and architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

How to pick a painter

How to pick a painter

Unfortunately the craft has by-and-large gone out of painting. These days every unskilled guy who is out of work calls himself a painter and the majority of those who do paint full-time are not interested in anything they can’t spray or paint with a four-inch brush. This obviously poses some problems if you are looking for a decent paint job for your old home.  So, here are a few tips that have worked well for me.  

There are basically two types of painting contractors:  production painters who do large developments, rental properties, etc., and custom painters. Start with custom painters. Call a few and see if they have done a number of Victorians or homes similar to your own and make sure they sound “positive” about them. Omit the ones who don’t sound positive -- you have to love these buildings to paint them well.  

Ask for references of jobs done 3 or 4 years ago and examples that you can look at. Go look and check the references. Then narrow your candidates down to three.  

In making your choice, do let personality play a part in your decision. If you relate well to the painter, if you like the cut of his jib or if talking to him is easy, these portend success of the paint job. For example, if two people are equally qualified but one you like and the other you don’t feel so good about, you will be ten times happier with the former painter by the time the job is over. Also, choose someone who has a reputation to protect. These people will do it right (generally), because they don’t want to come back and fix it if the paint is peeling in three years.  

Price should be dictated by the amount of labor and detailing involved. Be leery of the painter who wants to charge you so much for three colors, so much for four colors, and so on. Many times there is no more labor involved in adding another color other than opening another can of paint.  

Write up a contract. Be very specific about what exactly will be done, particularly concerning the prep job. What is included:  glazing?  cleaning windows?  replacing rotted wood?  scraping, sanding and filling? Also set up a payment schedule (for example, 1/3 up front, 1/3 part way, 1/3 at completion). Be equitable but protect your interest. Set a time of completion... if not a specific date, then a time period. Put in a penalty clause if the work is not done on time. Painting your house will be a major disturbance in your life and you don’t want it dragged out.  

Be careful of a low bid. An exceptionally low bid usually means that halfway through the job the painter will realize he is going to end up in the hole and he will get out as quickly as he can. If you have the time and knowledge, you can supervise the job and get good results, but it’s not a good situation if the painter knows he’s losing money. Remember, “you get what you pay for” -- use a painter with a reputation to uphold.

Restoration Trades Directory

Restoration Trades Directory

The Color People has been featured over the years in the online resource Restoration Trades Directory. RTD is a valuable tool for those seeking expert knowledge in the custom building and restoration fields in the United States and Canada. The website provides curated listings, facts and advice for all kinds of people—from homeowners to builders and historians. We have been called upon to give input in various subjects and we have recently shared a story on a project we completed for a homeowner in our local community. At this time of year we are constantly getting inquiries for exterior color consultations for residences. The home showcased in this month's RTD article is a great example of how our architectural color consulting services can add valuable curb appeal to a property and give life back to a home with a rich history in Denver. 

http://www.restorationtradesdirectory.com/content/home_left_behind

Color Marketing

Color Marketing

I work with building exteriors where color has become hugely important. Markets are now so tight there is barely any difference between what competitors are offering at the same price points. The only thing you have to set your product apart is a look, a feel—in short, Color. Of course no one wants a trendy home. But yet there are distinct trends for the housing industry as well as for retail buildings. If you repaint and choose colors from the end of a color trend in two years your project will not just look out of date, it will look ten years old!

The trend information I glean from being a member of Color Marketing Group (CMG) not only allows me to offer much more than my competitors from a color perspective but the additional knowledge I gather about what drives these trends gives me the insight to provide nuanced colors that resonate emotionally with buyers, tenants and shoppers.

The Color People, together with Benjamin Moore and Denver Design District, is hosting a CMG Chromazone in Denver on June 15th. This workshop is a unique opportunity to exchange your ideas on what is shaping color amongst multi-industry color professionals. The work that is produced here will lead directly to a final forecast that represents colors that will be trending in 2018 and beyond.  Please join us!