Paint Palette for a Tudor Home

Hi Christine-

I am so grateful I came across your blog this afternoon.  I have an older 1980’s house that I’m getting ready to have painted with SW paint.  Could you please take a look at what I’m working with and let me know what you think for color ideas.  Roof is black, then there’s some darker brick towards the bottom.  I am not even sure whether or not I’m going to have the brick painted or not.  I also don’t think I want to paint all of those vertical trim pieces on the front, but am completely up for suggestions.  Also, do I paint the planter box in front the same as the house, trim, or different accent color?

I’m so fickle that I’m all over the color wheel with ideas, so very open to all colors.   I’ve attached a few pictures to help you out.  The first photo show’s the back of the house and that is a lilac bush.  (Do I cut this down!?  Is it obnoxiously large?)  The second and third are of the front of the house.  I guess my objective is to make this home look a little more up to date and welcoming.  The bush on the left of the house turns a beautiful bright red in the fall, and we have large fur pine trees to the right of the house. 

We are a young couple with a small budget.  I know a good paint job can really help this house out. 

Thank you!!!

Amanda

Hi Amanda,

I happen to be super opinionated about painting Tudor style homes.  Probably too opinionated.  I think you should use the original Tudor construction as your guide.  The Tudor home was traditionally built with what is called half timber/ waddle and daub construction.  With this, you still see the timbers, and the area in-between is filled in with the waddle and daub.  The effect is the dark brown of the timber, combined with a cream color.  (see this post for a more in depth description)

If it were me, I would go super traditional, like the photo below. 

You will want to use your brick, and sample quarts as a guide for selecting exact paint colors. 

The off white portion can vary quite a bit, depending on how much contrast you want. 

So, you might ask, do I HAVE to go traditional?  To which I say, no.  Not in your case, because your architecture isn't pure Tudor.  (If it were, I would tell you differently).  For example- the home below, is not painted a traditional color pallet, but  looks nice.

I love the shake on the home above..  and what a great porch that would be!

How about a darker center color?  I guess that's ok too- but keep it neutral.  Stucco shouldn't be blue or green.  It looks weird. I do think that the home above would look better if it had a more traditional pallet.

However, going LIGHTER on the timber portion of the half timber construction, to me, is like turning your back on your roots.  It's like changing your last name.  It's trying to be something that you are not.  (OK- maybe that's a little dramatic)  Again, for a truly Tudor home, I think that would be horrible, for you house, it's OK, as the style of the home is not Tudor, except for the half timber facade. 

Now, do you want to know what I would do with your home?  I would remove that half timber facade altogether.  Your architecture does not support it.  I think it was a poor decision by the architect, or builder, or whoever designed it.  I would take it off, frame out the windows, each broken section, (those sections that protrude forward) and add shutters. (while you're at it, you could add a porch...  :-)

 Here is a color pallet that I think would look really nice with your brick  (notice the brick behind the bushes):

SW 6199- for the field

SW7571- for the trim

SW6208- accent color- would be good on your door

I want you to look closely at the home above.  Do you see how under the eaves, it is painted off white, not gray, like the field of the house?  And do you see how each of the vertical slats is painted the accent color?  Don't let a lazy painter (or a higher cost) do that any differently on your home. 

Save & Close

 My sharpie added some shutters and a porch for you.  (also remove the half timber accents)

Thanks,
Christine

English Tudor Half Timber Construction

Today's post is a continuation of yesterday's - my class for my daughter's girl scout troop on architecture. The second style I wanted to teach the girls was the English Tudor Half Timber Style. Throughout my neighborhood, it will be easy to show the girl scouts examples of the Half Timber construction. Historically the first permanent dwellings constructed by British settlers were based on those they had known in England- and were patterned after half-timber construction. This architecture is easily identified by the heavy dark timber beams, that are then filled with what was historically a wattle and daub (interlaced branches covered in mud and clay) or brick nogging. With the brick nogging, bricks were arranged in such a way to fill the area between the timber beams.

This construction, as found in America is sometimes called Tudor- although the Tudor period was officially over before Jamestown was even settled. However- some of the Tudor influence can be found in more genuine examples of half timber construction.

Characteristics of what I will refer to as the English Tudor Half Timber Construction include:

1. Two to three stories
2. Rambling Design
3. Half Timber construction with wattle and daub or brick nogging
4. The use of the Tudor arch over doorways and fireplaces
5. Second story overhang or jetty
6. Sharp Gables


7. Small paned leaded windows
   


8. Clustered and or buttressed chimneys
9. Oriel and bay windows

10. Projecting porch or doorway

A gable is the triangle formed in the architecture from a high pitched roof.

In this home, notice the overhang jetty, the bay windows, buttressed chimney, small panes and of course, the half timber construction.

This is an example of an oreil window. They are similar to bay windows, but notice that they don't extend to the base of the building, but rather tuck back in- with just the window nook protruding from the architecture of the building.

In this home, notice the high pitched roofs, sharp gables, small window panes and half timber construction.

Here is a nice close up of the half timber construction. Today, the half timber style is simply cosmetic, rather than structural. They don't fool anyone...

Here you see high pitched gables, small window panes and half timber construction.

The wattle and daub would traditionally be white washed- and sometimes the brick nogging would also be white washed- making it hard to tell it was brick, unless seen close up. The sharp two tone color pallet make this one of the most easily identifiable styles of architecture.

Combining stone with the half timber construction is very common. The stone selection would traditionally be a charming cobblestone style used in combination with the half timber.

Here is another quintessential example- small window panes, classic color combination of half timber construction, a Tudor arch over the doorway, and a protruding second story with rambling design.

Here is an example of the Tudor interior. It is identifiable by the high pitch of the wood ceiling.

When I refer to clustered of buttressed chimneys- I am referring to chimneys like those in the photo to the left. The clustered chimneys are the multiple clusters that you see. What I mean buy buttressing is the stepped design of the trunk of the chimney.

Here is a close up of what I referred to as a second story overhang or jetty. Also shown here is a classic diamond shape small paned window and Tudor arched doorway.

Here is a contemporary example of half timber construction- I include it as it is a less traditional color pallet, yet still a very good example- incorporating the half timber brick construction, sharp gables, and bay windows.

Here is a close up of the Tudor arch. Notice the subtle pitch at the top?

Here is another Tudor arch- this time found in the door.

This fireplace is a contemporary design from Old World Stone Works, incorporating a classic Tudor arch. Using selections like this in a Tudor style home, when doing renovations, would be an excellent selection- having consistency with the architecture. So often, out architecture is so "watered down" in style- it can use a little boost- rather than further watering it down with inconsistent interior selections.

That is perhaps a bit much for the girl scouts- do you think? I'll go through it quickly as to not bore them. :)