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Wednesday, 13 April 2011

the french shutter continued...


Changing paint colours is never easy; choosing paint colours is even harder. 

After final decisions are made it all seems like such a fuss over nothing...but too much of one tint and not enough of another can be the difference between a catastrophe and a triomphe... A colour that seems perfect in a shady place seems glaringly out of place in the sunshine. A colour set against exposed stones reflects differently to a colour sitting against a rendered wall. The way a colour looks upstairs is different to the way the same colour looks downstairs. This is what I have learnt over the last few weeks as the shutters on our farmhouse are painted; you can't have it every way. What I mean is, if you want to stay friends with your painter and have the job finished before the year is done, you need to settle on one shade and stick with it. Secretly, the perfectionist in me would prefer to tint each shutter in just the correct hue to take into account the shadows and the surfaces....

So here they are ....a cross between grey and beige....a soft foil for the wisteria and for the pots of geraniums when they come out for the summer. xv

my daily click HERE

image - vicki archer

on

54 comments:

  1. Pamela Terry and Edward12 April 2011 at 15:45

    We once painted all the shutters and windows of our house, only to discover that we well and truly hated it. So, the painters returned the next day and did the entire thing over. We still have neighbours who stop us and say... "Wasn't your house a different colour. For just one day???"

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  2. Jacqueline @ HOME12 April 2011 at 16:18

    Dear Vicki,
    I think that you have chosen well.....the colour is perfect and blends in with everything so perfectly. I have always thought that choosing paint, whether for the inside or outside, is very difficult. It never seems to look like the colour swatch.
    The wisteria looks wonderful with the colour you have chosen. Can we see more images throughout the year please ? XXXX

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  3. Jeanne Henriques12 April 2011 at 16:45

    Perfect Vicki...I look forward to seasonal photos from that same spot :)

    Jeanne xx

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  4. Amy12 April 2011 at 16:54

    It's a warm, rich color - I'm sure it'll be perfect in every light!

    I admire your courage in choosing colors. Some trim and a door on my house has been needing to be painted for, oh, a while now and I just CAN'T decide on the right color. I'm so used to the primer color now I don't even notice it anymore...

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  5. Pinecone Camp12 April 2011 at 16:57

    That looks beautiful. I agree with you, it's hard choosing paint colours!

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  6. martinealison12 April 2011 at 17:27

    Il est vrai qu'il est important de faire jouer la bonne couleur sur vos persiennes...
    Très jolie façade de pierres...
    Bisous

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  7. Helen12 April 2011 at 17:45

    The feeling is subtle warm and cool at the same time. Lovely.

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  8. Laura @ 52 FLEA12 April 2011 at 18:54

    Just lovely...perfect with the wisteria!
    :)

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  9. carolyn bradford12 April 2011 at 21:00

    I think it's perfectly beautiful! Outside colors are always harder to choose for me! You did very well and I'm so glad we got an update! Everytime I look at our shutters in the shop that we have for sale I think about you! They are actually in an ad we just did for the shop for Mother's Day coming up!

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  10. Scrappy Grams12 April 2011 at 21:14

    I'm glad I didn't have to make the color choice. The grey is a lovely backdrop for the wisteria! The wisteria is so gorgeous!

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  11. Jacqui12 April 2011 at 21:19

    Absolutely perfect!!!

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  12. Things That Inspire12 April 2011 at 22:29

    I know exactly what you mean, as we are trying to pick the color to paint our brick, and a slightly deeper tone for the shutters and trim. We have already been through at least 20 colors! I think we are close, though - we are painting a section of the brick in our favorite color, and have two options for the trim.

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  13. Paula12 April 2011 at 22:30

    This is so what I want the back of my house to look like. LOVE your blog. Makes me feel like I am having a little visit to france every time I look. Thank you. Paula

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  14. Tara Dillard12 April 2011 at 23:06

    When I've chosen a color looking different in shade, sun, upstairs, downstairs, front garden & back garden ALL at the same time I know I've chosen the right color.

    It's the rudder for my choices.

    Humorous, yes?

    Garden & Be Well, XO Tara

    love your color.......hope that doesn't scare you!

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  15. Allan Lloyd12 April 2011 at 23:33

    Sorry – a 'cross between grey and beige' is what old people wear. There's a difference between subtle and just plain cop-out boring, which I have to say is what you've achieved. Distress them with some blue as soon as you can.

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  16. designchic12 April 2011 at 23:40

    So beautiful...just did the same thing when changing our roof. Rode around for days making sure I made the right choice!!

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  17. Unknown13 April 2011 at 01:24

    Beautiful! I want to grab my coffee and make myself at home right at the table! So welcoming!

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  18. under spanish moss13 April 2011 at 02:50

    Oh Vicki, the color is wonderful. Definetly a triomphe!!!!

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  19. Angie Muresan13 April 2011 at 03:18

    I think it looks gorgeous, Vicki! You have such fabulous taste that I wouldn't ever second guess your color choices.

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  20. cotedetexas13 April 2011 at 03:35

    stunning! beautiful! those shutters are just so French!!!

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  21. Jane13 April 2011 at 03:43

    Oh, Vicki, I wouldn't change a thing. It's utterly delightful. J x

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  22. Irina13 April 2011 at 05:21

    love your choice of color! I'm all for pastels and muted hues recently :) ... and the wisteria on that background (and blooming geranium) ... it is simply beautiful. what a great job!

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  23. The Paper Mulberry - Glenda Steel13 April 2011 at 07:09

    They're exquisite! I couldn't think of a more perfect shade against the sublime honey toned stone and the wisteria.

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  24. Lavendel13 April 2011 at 08:35

    Looks very lovely! greetings from Denmark

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  25. The Oregano Tower13 April 2011 at 08:42

    Subtle and elegant - beautiful

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  26. Joyce@canadianoriginals.net13 April 2011 at 13:11

    What a lovely scene. It's easy to see why you love living in France. So charming!

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  27. The Gossamer Tearoom13 April 2011 at 13:15

    I think you have done a great job in selecting this color. I love colors which don't exactly have a name! I really love mixing neutrals, so the colors of the stone, the shutters and the door and window frames are very pleasant to me and I love the shade of the shutters with the wisteria!

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  28. Millie13 April 2011 at 13:21

    Vicki: 'Secretly, the perfectionist in me would prefer to tint each shutter in just the correct hue.'
    Vicki's Painter: 'Vous êtes un poussin fou Aussie, j'ai arrêté!!!'
    Millie x

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  29. Cyndy13 April 2011 at 13:33

    Just Perfect!

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  30. Allie13 April 2011 at 13:41

    Your photos are beautiful. I just found your blog. It is a lovely place to visit. I'll be back again soon. Have a great day.
    www.skylarkmanor.com

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  31. The Caledonian Mining Expedition Company13 April 2011 at 13:50

    Absolute perfection!

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  32. Tara13 April 2011 at 13:53

    Beautiful! We too are in the process of much painting. What combination of grey/beige was mixed to achieve this color? Or is there a" name" or paint number for this?

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  33. BestofDesign13 April 2011 at 13:54

    You're right--- when you are so focused on one feature it is so magnified in your mind---a"little" decision turns into something that will entirely ruin everything. It is funny how once completed,the finished piece just becomes a part of the whole and slips into place. I think you've stayed true to the "french essence" in your understated simplicity of color---it really makes the texture of the stone and the wisteria pop-plus I think it shows off the wood planking of the shutter construction too! And, as I keep telling myself on recent projects---it's only paint! Easily changed if needed (but that doesn't usually happen, I'm happy to say!).

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  34. Visual Vamp13 April 2011 at 14:33

    You can never go wrong with greige! And wait until they weather a bit. Then you will have the color you have in your mind's eye and have been dreaming about. In the meantime, the shutters do look beautiful.
    xo xo

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  35. Hallie13 April 2011 at 16:34

    Hahahaha! Exactly what I would have said to the painter with a wink:
    "please tint each one so that together and no matter the sun or shade or stone, they form a harmony."

    But they do anyway and it's perfect!!!

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  36. peggy braswell13 April 2011 at 16:36

    How difficult it can be choosing the "perfect" color. What a "perfect" color you have chosen. Adore you and your blog. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

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  37. Deborah13 April 2011 at 16:49

    Millie (above) has it absolutely right!!!
    That must be the very definition of perfectionism - but a truly lovely concept.

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  38. Kirsten Steen13 April 2011 at 17:04

    They turned out lovely, Vicki. Can't wait to see them when the geraniums pots are out.
    Kirsten

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  39. Cathi13 April 2011 at 18:17

    Definitely a lovely shade with the wisteria. xxoo :)

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  40. CASSIOPEE13 April 2011 at 18:23

    Oui voilà bien une façade française, la couleur des volets est en harmonie avec la glycine.
    Adapter ses couleurs à son mode de vie c'est vivre en harmonie avec son temps.

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  41. mary13 April 2011 at 18:25

    Hi Vicki, I, too, have the disease of perfectionism--but I'm in the process of recovery. Can't wait to see the shutters when the summer colors are in full bloom. Have a great day. Mary

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  42. red ticking13 April 2011 at 19:28

    simply gorgeous... in every way.... xoxo

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  43. Unknown13 April 2011 at 19:41

    I love this color you chose and think it is perfection!

    p.s. Love those busts you have on your desk in the post below!

    xo Mary Jo

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  44. Theresa Cheek13 April 2011 at 21:12

    I love them! ;) There are lots of those undertones in the landscaping. That is what I call a "chameleon" color, it interprets as beige or grey depending on what is around it!

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  45. Dumbwit Tellher13 April 2011 at 22:40

    So very ideal Vicki. I just repainted my kitchen for the 3rd time a 'greige' hue. I think at last I may of gotten it right. It is a forgiving, complimentary color indoors and out.

    Happy Thursday to you ~ xx Deb

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  46. christina @greige and my sparrow13 April 2011 at 23:26

    Perfectly greige!! They look great!

    Best,
    Christina

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  47. Snippets of Thyme14 April 2011 at 03:11

    Oh the shutters are up! And, you made your decisions! They are wonderful but I always think grey is such a cool classic color that goes wonderfully on stone. Like everyone else...love it. Now time to enjoy that adorable patio.

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  48. Zelda14 April 2011 at 05:32

    Ho I know what you mean "!!!

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  49. Soulful Mama14 April 2011 at 07:08

    Well i absolutely love them! I think the colour is perfect.

    ~ Clare x

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  50. Unknown14 April 2011 at 09:30

    it looks wonderful Vicki are you serving coffee at the fabuous table too please and isnt the wisteria wonderful its all over Florence at the moment too delicious fay xxx

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  51. Rose14 April 2011 at 14:15

    those are lovely! I like dove grey very much and it works well with the house- which looks so very beautiful

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  52. Karen15 April 2011 at 02:03

    Vicki,
    I just had a near paint disaster in my reading room...the color looked great on the paint chip. Fortunately, I was able to buy a little pot of the paint and it was truly awful in my house.
    Paint color is so challenging but your shutters look wonderful! Are you happy with the color?
    Karen

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  53. Maison Douce15 April 2011 at 23:58

    I love them.... The colors are so soothing, and they blend beautifully with the house!!!
    Isabel

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  54. emily-kallista17 April 2011 at 10:21

    Oh what a gorgeous house! so romantic ... thank you so much for your presence.. glad to have found your beautiful blog :)

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Thank you for visiting French Essence... I love to read your comments and I hope you will be back often... xv