Historic Homes need Historic Colors

As I was tweeting this morning, a saw something that caught my eye “100-Year-Old B&B in Central North Carolina” - I clicked on the link hoping that there were some pictures of the inside of this home - score! Look what I found.

I have a few pictures here of the rooms - let's see how the colors look and if I'd change them or not. 

We start off with a beautiful front view of the 100 year old Colonial Revival Bed and Breakfast. Love the impressive porch adorned with rocking chairs and boston ferns. Green shutters? Well, it is a very typical color but keep in mind, it's appropriate for the age and style of this home. It's ok.  White and green is safe, classy and it suits this home.

The foyer - well it's quite gold isn't it? I think gold is a good, welcoming choice for a foyer but perhaps tone it down just a bit. I'd use:

The Haven Room: This room is decorated with shades of teal and peach although you can't really see it in this picture but the yellow bedding sure stands out. There sure is a lot of contrast from wall to ceiling so I'd love to cozy it up with a soft wall color. I'd use:

The Willow Room: Well this color won't work her because I just put it in the Haven Room. Hmmm, what do you think of when you say “Willow?” A weeping willow tree of course! Let's make it green.

Not sure what the name of this room is but let's change the color! Right now it looks like a baby nursery. There's nothing wrong with blue but of course it has to be the right blue. I'd use the very grown up and very popular, Palladian Blue.

I think I had this color in my room back in the day - that would be the 80's you know ;-)  This one definitely needs a new hue. I'm going out on a limp here with a “scratch your head” color. Do you like it? Do you hate it? Not sure (insert scratching your head here). FYI: The thing to remember about color is that right off the bat, you may not like it or you may love it but it's chosen for a reason and at least … it's noticed. I like it.

The tile, the faucet the sink, shower, the lighting waaaaaaay to modern! Poor area rug choice to. I would run in and out of this bathroom - not comfy at all. I'm toning this one down - a lot - with the classic Shaker Beige. 

Love the red carpeting just don't like the red/gold combo here. Do we change the carpeting or the wall color? Wall color ✓ or carpeting ✓ - wall color of course even though I know there is a perfect textile that can be used with a nice hardwood floor but that is a huge project. Wall color is … 

Not sure, yes I am sure, I would not want to eat my meals in this room. The color is so very wrong. Weston Flax will fix that right up! 

FYI: My Grandmother had a color real similar to this in her kitchen, semi gloss sheen of course, and it was just perfect. Who new Grandma had such a great eye for color - maybe that's where I get it from. Thanks Grandma …ok … back to the blog.

FYI: Now I don't know the layout of this home but keep in mind ALL your colors have to relate to each other - open floor plan or not - otherwise your home will look like a quilt and that's just wrong. Keep the colors classic to the period of the home and to each other. You can't fail in color when you do this.

Keep in mind that this is a B&B. People are here to relax and make memories. Have them remember a beautiful home, great color and just a warm and cozy feeling when staying here. What makes that warm and cozy feeling? The right decor and color of course!

There you have it! A beautiful Historic home with now gorgeous Historic colors. All these colors are taken right from the Historic Collection of Benjamin Moore. So if you're in the town of Pittsboro, NC be sure to book a weekend at this virtually beautiful B&B. If you live in South Charlotte, NC and need color for your home, you know where to find me.