If you’ve spent lots of time checking listings to find that perfect early American home, you likely want to restore it to its original grace and beauty. Modern paints work great for contemporary homes but often leave Colonial houses with Federal, Georgian and Greek Revival styling looking off kilter. Fortunately, Real Milk Paint helps you achieve just the look you desire thanks to a timeless formulation that brings these homes firmly into the 21st century while helping them retain their unique characteristic colors and styles. If you don’t like the original colors or can’t find out what they were, consider Real Milk Paint colors for early American homes that suit your special place.
Classic Colonial
Muted hues compose the backbone of classic colonial paint colors. Earthy brown shades such as brick, chocolate, taupe and beige gave these homes a modest feel, while contrasting hues of off-white, creamy yellow, moss green, and almond imparted soft contrast. Early Americans found these colors simple to attain thanks to natural pigment sources such as minerals, plants, and soil. To recapture classic Colonial style in your current home design, consider a palette of Real Milk Paint colors such as Cocoa brown, Granny Smith Green and Cheesecake — a warm off-white shade. Alternatives include a combination of Earth Green, Warm Ash brown and Parchment colors by Real Milk Paint.
Georgian
If you’re lucky enough to snag an upper-class colonial home, it’s best to choose a palette that reflects the time of its build. Upper-end Georgian houses kept muted accent hues in play similar to classic Colonial styling but relied heavily on the grays and blues of the day. One example of this is the legendary Prussian blue color — a dark blue shade that inspires several Real Milk Paint hues, including Deep Sapphire and Peacock. To achieve a genuine Georgian look, consider pairing these Real Milk Paint shades with rich supporting colors, such as Betsy Ross Red and French Gray. Dijon — a warm peach hue that complements blues, reds, and grays alike — also works well for accenting upscale early American homes.
Federal
Paint colors for early American homes with Federal designs proved lighter and softer than their classic Colonial, Georgian, and Greek Revival counterparts. Pale shades such as cream, soft blue, and peach paired with stony grays were common to homes with Federal styling, and many people of the day offset these lighter hues by using them to accent brighter colors in their interiors. If you want results that pay homage to this classic design style, use a palette of Real Milk Paint colors for a muted feel that keeps your home’s look authentic. Consider pairing stoneware, stone blue, and pecan with Sage Gray, then add a pop of bold color with shades like Plum or Persimmon.
Greek Revival
Greek Revival homes often boast muted gray exterior colors reminiscent of the stone used to build Greek temples. This design style also employed darker contrasting shades to add some pizzazz to otherwise plain exteriors, including dark greens and deep blacks. Interiors of the day offered a sharp contrast to this basic, plain palette with a combination of rich shades, usually in greens and golds. When restoring your Greek Revival home to its former glory, shoot for Real Milk Paint shades that lend a genuine feel. Try Stillwater Cove Gray for your exterior base color and Black Iron, Arabian Night, or Earth Green for your accent color. Likewise, complete the look of your indoor space with hues such as Goldenrod or Fresh Lemon and rich green shades like Lily Pad.
