The Renewed Appreciation of Historical Colors

Do you want to know a secret?  It is our ability to embrace our darker understanding of what draws us to investigate and question. Most individuals are guilty of wanting the more irresistibly gloomy depths of despair and the dark shadows of mystery. Colors create mood, and moods create sensations of masculinity and aesthetics of a hypocritical era to an elaborate futuristic vibe. At times, perceptible mechanics intrigue us in why we question how something works. Whereas visual effects, eerie collections, theatrics, and  fabrics like tweed or hounds tooth bring to mind inspired attire worn by famous characters like Sherlock Holmes or historical times such as the prohibition era.

When thinking of these facts, I also think of my favorite subject—paint—and when colors that are available came to be here like the natural colors derived from plants or geography. As an artist, one experiences nature through the layered colors of mineral deposits riddling rock fronts. One looks at the egression of hues that sparkle from a polished stone that was in a running river bed or the sea. Last, one would look at the distressed and weathered siding of a rustic log cabin or farmhouse; these hues look chalky or earthen. The materials become organic, and have a raw finish naturally matte in appearance. Through time and stress, these elements work hand-in-hand to develop a softened splendor of beauty. This beauty can influence one in comfort, restfulness, and tranquility.

As a designer, one will take these elements and do as an artist does creating a palette from natural layers of colors inspired by the recent appreciation of nature. This craft shows a down-to-earth aesthetic. This is not a new thought; historical colors were created throughout history to emulate traditional colors. This scholarly study of hues began with the development of colors from the period the colonists came to America.

Designers will pick a company that reflects his or her concept in historical colors. This process is through resources and study of historical architecture.  A favorite supplier is Benjamin Moore Paints and the reasoning is that this company specializes in chronological colors. This review will offer colors that reflect the era of multiple styles in American history using colors from today’s suppliers.

The Colonial and Federal Style

This was called The Colonial and Federal Styles (1640-1825) when a new nation was created from scarce and limited funds. The pigments came from natural resources like the land, plants, and fibers. These pigments created a dark and rich hue of affluence in a growing nation. Homes were painted in a solid tone, including the trim and doors, but  the interiors were colorful and contrasting. The Federal Period was a post revolutionary war time when colors became lighter and more delicate with detail. These colors were accented on the trim by using off-white or natural opaque’s like ivory or bone white, and doors painted in dark tones like black or shaded greens to create a darker tone creating paler aesthetics in design
.

Using Benjamin Moore Paints here is a list of colors that reflect the era’s color palette.

The Colonial                                                          The Federal

Mysterious AF-565                                                  Crumb Cake CSP-1010

Tumeric AF-350                                                       Monroe Bisque HC-26

Tea Room AF-270                                                   Hepplewhite Ivory HC-36

Jungle Canopy CSP-900                                         Van Deusen Blue HC-156

Dinner Party AF-300                                                Hawthorne Yellow HC-4

Thicket AF-405                                                         Marlboro Blue HC-153

Blue Suede Shoes 798                                             Hathaway Peach HC-53

Coriander Seed AF-110                                            Mayflower Red HC-49

Rustique AF-275

Rainforest Foliage 2040-10

The Early Victorian Period

The Victorian Period (1830-1900) was split into two periods. These are the early and late Victorian eras. Broken down, the periods start with an Early Victorian style that includes Greek revival, Gothic Revival, and Italian Styles. This was an influence from the long reign of Queen Victoria, and there were multiple varieties of architectural themes. As time progressed many styles comingled and created a transitional blend of styles. These were broken down by periods, but the styles blend to create each styles trades mark.

The Greek revival (1830-1850) Many architectures were placed close to the street with pediments, or themed columns (Doric, Corinthian, or Ionic). Many of the styles were large in keystone and design and took on the look of ancient temples. This color style included tones that look like sand or stones, marbles, and light alabasters.

The Gothic Revival (1840-1860) inspired romance and picturesque settings with drama and excitement. This style involved structural embellishments like steep gables, archways, and ornamental trim pieces. The colors for this heavier style were earthy deep tones. The house body and trim were painted in the same family with times when the trim may have been darker in tone.

The Italianate Revival (1840-1880) these stately residences were elegant and restrained from heavy tones, but rather by natural warm tones that highlighted the details of the architecture. Doors and trim were left natural and unfinished with color.

Here are the tones that make up the early Victorian Period.

Greek                                                       Gothic

Suntan Yellow 2155-50                          Old Salem Gray HC-94
Golden Tan 2152-40                              Lewiville Green 494              
Cotton Tail 2156                                     Saddle Brown 2164-10
Mellowed Ivory 2149-50
Roasted Sesame Seed 2160-40
Camouflage 2143-40

Italianate

Audubon Russet HC-51

Nickel 2119-50

White Wisp 2137-70

Wickham Gray HC-171

The Late Victorian Era

The Late Victorian Era (1855-1900) was inspired by French architecture grouped with ornate designs, slate shingles mansard roofs, and delicately crested ironwork. This era was inspired by two periods. The Second Empire (1855-1885) and the Queen Anne period

(1875-1900) homes were embellished early in this period with warm colors, light accents, and stone-like influences. Later, in the Second Empire richer tones deep in colorful shades and bejeweled darker hues created a geode of sparkle and depth.

During the Queen Anne period, styles were accented in irregular compositions and were represented by patterned combinations of textures, materials, colors, and gradations of décor. The diverse range of colors were displayed by contrast ornamentation from the body of the home to the clapboards on the different stories are separate hues. The doors and window matting was accented to accentuate another tone of contrast.

The following colors were chosen to compare period colors with available tones in today’s paint choices.

The Second Empire 
                                              

Meditation AF-395                                                  Weathered Oak 1050

Olivetone 252                                                           Oystershell 864

Gondola Ride 602                                                    Forest Hill Green 443

Vanilla Cookie 372                                                   Land of Liberty 440

Blue Ridge Mountain 1043                                      Pineapple Smoothy 142

The Queen Anne

Dakota Shadow 448                                                 Ipanema AF-245

Sweet Basil 455                                                       Colorado Clay AC-15

Warmed Cognac AF-235                                        Savannah Clay 047

Glacial Till AF-390                                                    Cascabel Chile CSP-445

Wenge AF-180                                                          Dark Burgandy 2075-10

The Colonial Revival and the Bungalow Style

Americans began to look toward the past and found a traditional direction in architecture. The Colonial Revival and the Bungalow Style (1890-1930) was an interpretation of historical architecture from the Colonial era. 

The Colonial Revival (1890-1920) was highlighted with ornate doorways, railings, and dark hues for shutters and doors. The exteriors were light in color with soft to off-white trim. The window trims were drawn from the 18Th century, and the interior woodwork was painted and accented with popular wallpapers as an aesthetic combination.

The Bungalows (1910-1930) were small homes with signature porches and dormers. This distinguished look was generally accented by natural tones of rough shale and river or fieldstones, roofed with shingles, and finished in stucco for the exterior of the body.

The historic accents and trim colors were dark toned to accentuate the softer body tones of the home with a traditional super white to use in various historical home designs. These historical shades add a prominent finishing touch providing enhanced distinction to the main style of the homes conveying depth in each era while preserving esteem to historical detail.

The Following colors display the appropriate colors from Benjamin Moore Paints for the Colonial Revival and Bungalow styles. Included with this review is the historical accent and trim colors.

The Colonial Revival

Good Morning Sunshine 326                                Lemon Ice OC-114

Vale Mist 1494                                                      Dolphin Af-715

Spring Thaw 1508                                                 Sunburst 2023-40

Franklin Lakes 1643

West Coast 1671

The Bungalow Collection

Cattail CSP-295                                                       Silver Streak 2119-40

Secret Path CSP-800                                              Smoke Gray 2120-40

In the Garden CSP-805

Porcini CSP-195

Taupe Fedora CSP-280

Historical Trim and Accent collection

New London Burgundy HC-61                              Frostine AF-5

Bewitched CSP-450                                              Caliente AF-290

Bittersweet Chocolate 2114-10                             Universal Black 2118-10

Salamander 2050-10                                             Paris Rain 1501

These popular shades can distinguish a variety of historical homes, as the colors will enhance the primary color providing a contrasting style. The highlights will express a deep opulence that accentuates the architecture of the home. This richness in color channels the eras while preserving a reverence to details that display significance. The value of a historical home begins with the appearance of the home. The authenticity of the colors can show pride in expressing true characteristics of a period.

The ownership of a historical home whether by era or known history, evokes style and pride as the homeowner acknowledges the importance to details and worth. With this in mind, the colors chosen to represent these historical colors were derived from architectural documents that revealed formulas, chronological material specifications, and paintings depicting the period.