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Monday, March 29, 2010

I Want Different Colors Please!




Have you ever considered the possibility of painting the front of your house a different color than the back?
I know to most this will sound a bit odd. I know when I told my painter that is exactly what I wanted to do,he said,"Come with me." Then he had me tell his crew my request.They actually seemed fine with it, but he thought I was kidding. Now I bet you are wondering why in the world I would do such a thing. I have a small suburan ranch style home in California. I have always loved yellow houses, so painting my home yellow was a given. The sun comes up facing my porch, so it is always warm and comfortable in the mornings when the air is still cool. My backyard is another story. The sun sets in my back yard and around 3:00 in the afternoon it is very,very hot in the summer. Because we get over 100 degrees in the summer I wanted to cool it down a bit with the use of cool colors. This is why I decided to paint the back a different color. The only place you can even see the back of my house is when you are in the backyard. You can not see the yellow sides from the back, only when you are in the front yard. This is how I got away with a two -toned house. The back is painted a soft sage green . I have one window that I had Hubby put shutters  and a window box on. I painted those a cobalt blue. All my pots are either a green or a cobalt. I choose plantings in various greens and pinks and whites. I am lucky to have a very shaded area to the side of my patio where I can grow shade plants and ferns. I have also put a small water feature there. I have never heard of anyone doing this and in looking for some images other than my own home I was unable to find any showing a two-toned house. So I guess that does make me a bit weird, but I like it and it works for our enviroment. Here is a peek at the back side of the house.......







Now that you have seen my backyard, are you ready to see the front of the house. Don't forget it is a different color, remember it is yellow............


Sorry for the glare, The sun comes up facing my house, you can see it in the front door.



You can see it is a soft, butter-yellow. I had the color custom mixed by my tinter and it only has one pigment in it, Yellow-oxide, which is a gold/yellow. I like my yellows more on the butter side of yellow, especially for outside. Most people seem to choose far to bright or on the green side of yellow and it becomes too neon.
 I love yellow and have had it on two of my houses, so I am kind of married to it.

With all this information do you think you would ever consider painting your house two-toned? As long as one side can not be seen from the other you can do it. It is funny when people realize the front and back are different, but to be honest most people don't even notice. I hope you have enjoyed this little tour of my front and back yard differences.

"Enjoy the Process" Of: Doing something outside the box.

Kathysue

20 comments:

Jules said...

Your house is absolutely lovely. Here in our town we have several old pink brick houses where they have just painted the front! You can see the sides as you come up to and go past but it works, in a weird kind of way!! Our house is the deep pink brick (Some would say red) and I have alway wanted to paint the back verandah a very pale pink. Top won't let me!!!!!!!

Allie and Pattie said...

I love it and it works for YOU- that's what counts. I can totally understand your reasoning. Regardless, both sides are absolutely lovely!
xoxo Pattie

Carolyn said...

I think that is a brilliant idea! Your home looks lovely both front and back.

Carolyn

Pat@Back Porch Musings said...

Beautiful home and great idea! Love it.

xinex said...

Very interesting, KathySue and I see the logic in it. You have a beautiful home and a beautiful garden too....Christine

Tammy@InStitches said...

lol, you're funny but I think it works. I love your backyard !

Cashon&Co said...

I think they are both lovely! You really do have a way with flowers and with colours. Sometimes when you step outside the box Magic happens.....;)

Blondie's Journal said...

You are a brave soul, but it looks just wonderful. I love how you tied the plants in to the colors as well. I agree that you have to find the perfect shade of yellow. And I love the buttery ones.

Well done, Kathysue, and thanks for the decorating advice when you stopped by yesterday!

xoxo
Jane

Anonymous said...

I once had different colors on my front and back doors...I matched the backdoor to our shed door, which matched my umbrella, flowers etc...

So I get it...and love it !!!

Have a great day....
Kathy :)

A Perfect Gray said...

wow! you are so brave. so glad to see someone following their heart. looks wonderful...

Paula Bee said...

I can attest to the fact that it looks wonderful! You can't see the soft green from the side or the front of the house. It looks like a beautiful yellow house from the front--and unless you think about it being a yellow house, you would never appreciate the fact that it is two colors. The cool color on the back was just what was needed. --Sooo nice and inviting!

Sandra said...

Very nice! I love this shade of yellow. There is a house down the street from us that they decided to paint yellow. It is a very bright bright yellow. It almost hurts your eyes to see it. lol This shade of yellow would work really well with that house.
Sandra

La Dolfina said...

I wouldn't begin to doubt you and from what I can tell it really worked!! Bravo!!
I would definitely consider shingling just the back of my house though :)

Kat said...

I would do this in a heartbeat if the back of our home was enclosed in such a way that you couldn't see the sides. No such luck here. I think your home is gorgeous and the soft green works so beautifully with your plantings and pool area. Our home has a north/south orientation so there isn't a huge difference in temps during the day. I think this is a brilliant solution for an east/west oriented house! Hugs, Kat

Tricia said...

It's all beautiful Kathysue! Love the soft yellow front and your garden is looking amazing in the back right now. I don't know if I would have the guts to do it, but I like the look and it certainly makes sense.

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

I'm not sure I would be brave enough to try this. I understand your theory completely. The back of your home is so cool and refreshing, while the yellow makes a warm welcome to your home.. I thoroughly enjoyed my tour Kathysue..
hugs ~lynne~

A Refocused Life said...

Kathysue,

What great thinking on your part. Both sides look great. Beautiful yard, too!

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Kathysue, I think you are very smart choosing two different colors. Why not, when no one else can see it. I could do that. All that is behind us is the woods. I don't need to though. Your house and mine must face the same way. Our back gets way too hot in the summer. It gets too hot too enjoy cooking out, plus the humidity.

Fifi Flowers said...

J'adore colour!!!

Janell @ House of Fifty said...

You are brilliant, I love this idea and how well you pulled it off!!! Janell