I blogged about the problem of beige houses way back in the fall of 2006.
This fall, we had a chance to do our part to rectify the problem when our townhouse fourplex was scheduled for painting. Left: the old beige. Right: the new non-beige.
Good thing I’m sleeping with an artist.
It’s much better form my viewpoint, too. Thanks Robbie and all!
Wow, looks much better. It would have been nice, when these were designed, if they could have been done more like urban rowhouses (example), with each unit having a unique face, allowing each homeowner to paint/design according to his/her own taste and avoiding the monotonous effect of a large structure. This type of design would go even further with the townhomes along Eveleth Avenue (“Liberty Park”), where the beige rows seem to go on forever.
But all that said, Heritage Drive has clearly been brightened up by this change. Good job!
Sean,
I too like the look of urban rowhouses. I think Northfield would be a good location for such dwellings.
the colors look nice, but that old camry is a blight on the neighborhood. (wink).
watch out for copy cats now. we picked a color scheme that included red triangles. somebody stopped by one day and asked to get a closer look. 4 other homes with the same colors were then built in the neighborhood.
It’s really interesting how something so inexpensive as a coat (or two) of paint can change the whole character of things. After the big hail storm a couple years ago, we changed some trim details in the new siding for our house when they installed it. Funny how that concept turned up on a couple more houses along the street. What is that old saying, copying is the best compliment, or something like that? It is always a good feeling to bring positive change to the character of the neighborhood.
Jerry- Don’t be badmouthing Griff’s Camry. Those Toyotas go forever!
In defense of all of us who take ideas and apply them to their own world, the idea for the colors on our house started when I saw someone else’s that I loved. We didn’t use quite the same colors.. but the feel is close and it was not original, just like most houses, gardens or whatever. They tend to be an accumulation of many ideas that we subconsciously gather and then use. I would be flattered if someone went for the same look. These things are practically impossible to copy, except in the situation that we are in, where all the houses are identical. If one group of people in our association had not taken the first step in change… we probably would be destine to a beige house too. I am grateful to those families who dared to change the look of the VPTA (Valley Pond Townhouse Association). As a side comment, Scott our painter, commented that when you change the color, there is no way you can miss an area and not paint it, for example, under the decks, lattice work etc. This is a good thing if your are hiring it done!