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Saturday, June 26, 2010

Decisions...Decisions...

I just can't decide on a Roof Color...help a girl out.

This is my house as it appears now or actually...last year.


Over a month ago...a hail storm came along and totaled my roof.
So that means I am getting a new roof very soon.
But I can't decide on the color.

Currently it is green with red and yellow shadings. It pretty much looks green over all.

It is greener than it appears in this photo.

So I went to the GAF/ELK website (the brand of roofing I am getting) where you can pick a house style similiar to your own and try on different paint colors and roof colors. 

It's pretty fun to play there and I recommend it for anyone thinking of doing a little color changing on the  outside of their home.


Once there, you can try different trim colors as well as brick, stone, siding, etc...

Color wise, my roofing guy pushed me towards weathered wood.

So I logged onto the GAF/ELK remodeler and picked the house most similar to mine and tried it with the weathered wood colored shingles.

weathered wood

This was bland...and  I knew I wanted color....maybe not green like I had but something similar but greyer.

This is slate.
It's greyish/greenish.

I did a little research on historic roof colors and learned that our passion for drab roofs is a new thing. Historically, roofs were usually colored....green, blue, yellow, red,

Red!
That got me to thinking...

Red

I like it.
When I drive around town and see a 1920's or 1930's building in blonde brick with a red tile roof, it makes me happy. I started thinking....do I need a red roof?

My plan has been for awhile to paint the trim on my house a greyish/aquaish/tealish color and I thought slate was the perfect choice. But then I found this picture on line and saw that the red works very well with this color.


I've already told the roofer to order slate...but I still have a couple of weeks in which I could change my mind. Please let me know what you think.

I did a little photoshop magic tonight to test the colors with the trim painted like I want it. I think both options will be great. 
I know I'll love the slate...but the artist in me wants to do a roof color that no one on the block is expecting.



My house with a slate roof - doesn't look that much different than what is on it now.


or red

I have to say....I am normally not a red person. I don't have any red in my house at all. I don't wear red. I don't plant red flowers. I lean toward cool colors rather than warm ones.

What do you think? I know I'll be happy with the slate color...but will I be proud of myself for pushing the envelope and going for something unexpected....or will I then be forced to decorate with red geraniums when I am a pink rose kind of girl?

Please let me know what you think.

Show and Tell Friday at
My Romantic Home

Show Off Your Cottage Monday
at 
The House in the Roses


17 comments:

Karena said...

I love the slate Nita, I think it will be beautiful!! Love your home!

Come and visit for a Designer Giveaway from Pillow Mint!

Karena
Art by Karena

Unknown said...

I would easily play fast and loose with something cheap and easy to change like paint or flowers but I couldn't do it with the roof. But in CA we don't change our roofs that often, ususally 20-50 years, and roofing is very expensive here.
I really like the slate.
Traci

Kelly@TearingUpHouses said...

I like the slate or the greenish slate.

Useful website!

Kelly

Cindy said...

Your home is GORGEOUS!!! I like the slate. Usually I would say take the chance with color but since it's not just paint, it's a roof I would probably tend to go with something you know you will like. What if you hate the red? You can't just change it like you could with paint and then you will regret it. Once you get it done, you'll have to share it on show and tell again!

Robin said...

Go with the slate - it's gorgeous, and will look so nice with the trim colour you want. You said yourself you aren't a red person so if you go with red you run the risk of hating the red roof when it is actually on or growing tired of it quickly. For a big, expensive long term investment like this, stick with what you know you will love!

Victoria said...

I guess I'm the lone voice here but I love the red!!! I don't think it's too over the top at all. But, like Cindy said, it's something you'll have to live with for years so maybe it's better to be safe? Altho I still love the red:) My mom lives in an historic area of So Cal and it's very common to see different roof colors, light blue, red, green etc.

Mary Ann said...

I'm with you Victoria, I think the red is a knockout. Slate is just so, well slate, while the red is eye catching and would be lovely with your trim color. Besides, you live in Oklahoma so, it won't be that long before you'll be getting another roof.

Sunnysidesue said...

I love your house! It has an English cottage look, so was wondering if you've seen the shingle roofs that resemble a thatched roof? They are 'curled' under the edge of the roof and it makes for a very charming look. Just a thought. :)

Nita Stacy said...

Oh...I'm loving everyone's input. I know...I'm thinking I should go with the slate. But as Victoria said...in California it's common to see a red roof. I think it would give it a spanish vibe. Which I'm not sure I want to go with. I like it. But I've always wanted my house to have a more french vibe. Which the slate would do.

You know when I recovered my sofa....I knew it just had to be pink. Even though everyone says you should keep your sofa neutral. I insisted...pink is neutral for me. And now...four years later....I'm kind of wishing I'd gone neutral because I'm getting a little tired of the pink.

So....I think it's probably best if I go with the slate.

Thanks to everyone for chiming in and letting me know your opinions...keep them coming.

Virginia said...

Your home is BEAUTIFUL!!! I like the slate. But whatever you decide I am sure it will be pretty.
Sweet Blessings,
Virginia

saltbox
treasures
said...

Hi. I also love red, but with the red roof that is what you see and not the beautiful architecture of your home. If someone drove by your home they would say "wow, look at that red roof"; but with the slate the comment would be "wow, look at that beautiful home".
~ Julie

Brenda said...

I was going to say RED - but read all the comments and they do make so much sense...especially Julie at Saltbox Treasures - would the red distract from your beautiful home? We just put a new roof on and did the dark - but it goes well with the yellow house...Hummm I never even considered Red - :-)

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

What a beautiful exterior. I had a hard time picking new shingles, too a few months ago. Hail got our roof last year. The red looks good, but if you want more of the French look then I would go with the slate. I had a greyish greenish roof and changed to more brown tones this time to pick up the colors in the rock we had added to the front.

SHARON WOOD said...

The red is absolutely gorgeous! Be bold! Go for it! You only live once! I think it really sets your house off and you be be glad you did it.

thegrayhair@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Your house is adorable! I would go with the pale green. I absolutely love reds, but feel that with the brick it might be too much of the same color. Best wishes!!

kimberly said...

I love the slate! I think your house is great by the way and whichever one you pick will be beautiful ~ Kim

c said...

Really nice mods they can be of use in roofing philadelphia for many projects