THE THIRD TIME IS THE CHARM?
I have tried two colors now on the main porch ceiling of the Cross House.
The first color was just not right.
And nor…as I have known for several years now…was the second color. Indeed, I have long thought: WTF was I thinking?
While I am currently mostly off-line, our wonderful Kenny wants to spend a few days at the house next week doing something. He first thought that he would like to resume refinishing the trim in the Sewing Room. Then he changed his mind. “What if I refinish the trim in the south hall, as this is your current project?” Then he startled me by asking: “How about if paint the south exterior corner under the main porch? It would be amazing to have the whole sweep of porch painted, right?”
Oh. How tantalizing.
This image is from a few years ago. The second floor is now restored, as is the full west facade (left). You can see the terrible porch ceiling color I chose…1980s Golden Girls?…rather than something correct for an 1890s house. The whole south facade first-floor is untouched by me. Note the mildew on the porch ceiling. And the south porch cornice begs to be painted. Begs!
So, most of this is what Kenny has tantalized with. He would like to paint the exterior south wall of the porch, and repaint the entire porch ceiling (without channeling The Golden Girls).
Obviously, I am delighted with this offer.
I have planned all year to finish painting the porch cornice and this still seems doable. Thus, this would be a Ross job rather than Kenny. I think this will be doable even in my current compromised condition. I think.
To assure that everything is ready for Kenny I need to:
- select a new ceiling color.
- power-wash the porch ceiling and south wall.
After several days of chilly weather, the temperature will JUMP later in the week. Ideal power-washing weather! My hope is to accomplish this upcoming weekend.
And the new ceiling color? The…I pray…final color?
Top of card. Rosé.
I have several 1890s paint catalogs and pink or violet were common porch ceiling colors for green walls. I have known this for a long while so cannot explain The Golden Girls debacle.
NOTES:
- Blue porch ceilings became popular in the 1920s and then became the default color.
- The original porch ceilings of the Cross House were a very pale olive. Think cream with a hint of green.
- Contrary to my highly motivated desire to bring things back to What Was, I have been drawn to the idea of a pink/violet porch ceiling color. It is so unexpected yet actually period-correct. And this thrills me.
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Ooh yessss. I love that color choice with the green. Tres magnifique!
No offense intended, but “EEK!” I think Sherwin-Williams ‘Rookwood Jade’ should be the color. Are you sure you want to inflame the fates with your color choice? The house might rebel against it, ala’ “Green Acres’! Seriously.
Oops! I left out “Oh, the horrors!”
Kenny is a blessing!!!! I cannot wait to see this corner/ side finished!!
So glad to hear that you are getting the medical attention your body needs!
We all kinda like having you around,Ross!
And that is putting it mildly 😊.
I am boring and like the idea of cream with a hint of olive for the ceiling but you have to see it everyday so go with what you love.
Pink is the right color but you may just need a different shade.
My home, built in 1870 sported a pink porch overhang for years but then again the house was painted in varying shades of grey, from deep dark gray to battleship grey.
The earliest photos are black and white where the house looked to be painted a light color but not white as the window trim was white.
While I am a huge fan of pink/salmon colors, the new color you’ve selected just feels right to me!! And it’s just paint. If it doesn’t work out, it’s always changeable. But I’m loving the idea of it.
Mmm violet – lovely. It will compliment the olive & provide cool respite from the west & south sun. Maybe you’ll find some violet hues suggested in the adjacent window glass. It’ll be exciting to have a fresh, new look – maybe even, in time for the holidays. 💜
I like that color! I admit I wasn’t sold on the coral (if that’s the right word) color initially, but I grew to like it over the years. It’s unexpected in a good way. But I’m really looking forward to seeing how the porch looks with the lighter color. I think it will brighten the area under the overhang and complement the stained glass beautifully.
Finished in any color is better than half finished. I am in the camp that didn’t dislike the coral… but I see how the more violet rose color would be a calmer pairing with the olive. Good man Kenny! Keep getting better and taking care of yourself, Ross
How about Haint Blue?
I’m thrilled to hear that you are letting Kenny help out. It’s gonna look great.
Sample it first. I’ve learned that colors overhead look very different than the exact same color when put on the walls. But, I’m sure you are already aware of this. 🙂
I’ve always been a fan of the aesthetic pink and maroon colors some people paint “painted lady” victorians- and I’m sure your porch roof will look equally as spectacular. But at the end of the day paint is paint, so any change in heart is not hard to remedy down the line. Go with your gut!
I:
1. Have always loved the idea of painting a porch ceiling boldly and without apology a daring shade of salmon ever since I read your initial post about it 5,000 years ago.
2. Also like the new color
3. Love the Golden Girls and that weird postmodern-memphisesque era.
So, all three of my unsolicited opinions affirm your past and present decisions.
Hope your health is improved since last week!
I liked the salmon Golden girls color always, but when you put that rosé up there, it seems like it will complement the stained glass so well that I think you’ll love it….be safe and get back to 100% soon!
I heard a house should have a main color, a secondary, and perhaps an accent. I wonder if the porch ceiling would do well in a gold, like the detail in the front gable?
Rose is a terrible color.