Question
Hello there,

My husband and I purchased a home 1yr ago and have done so much to the exterior. It's a colonial with most of it being aluminum siding and around the porch and lower portion of the (front) of the home, in wood. At first the home was gray siding, a red painted wood section (again lower level), and a tanish roof). The shutters were a cream color.

So, we painted the red, Gray, to match the rest of the house...then replaced the shutters from Cream to Colonial Blue. We also painted the door blue as well ....

Our issue is this: With a tan roof (that we will not be replacing since its brand new from other owner), what color shutters would work best with a grayish/blue house and tan roof?? I would gladly send a pic if needed, but I have not seen many grayish homes with tan roof.

Any ideas would be so helpful...again, its a 2 car garage, colonial home, gray, has an open porch whcih I am thinking of putting railings in to add more "pizzaz" or maybe a white picket fence in front of the walkway or something???  

Thanks for your help!!!!

Answer
Heather ~
Paint is probably the quickest and least expensive of home renovations out there.  I love how the internet has changed this activity.  You can literally "see" how your decisions or color options will look before spending a dime.

Here are a few FREE websites to help out (they may require a sign-up, but that is why I keep a 搄unk?e-mail address, to cut down on SPAM):

http://www.bobvila.com/DesignTools/ExteriorDesigner/ExteriorDesigner.html

http://www.sherwin-williams.com/pro/paint_colors/paint_color_samples/

A list of more(10+), if you are feeling adventerous:
http://architecture.about.com/od/software/tp/paintsoftware.htm

It can be overwhelming, but a little work will be rewarded with great results.  Lots of these sites have color help - which combos look good together (Blue & Tan do!)  As to shutter color, I'd try different options at these websites to see what combination YOU like.  You've go to live with it, not me!

In addition, the picket fence idea sounds great, and fits in with the Colonial theme of the house.  Matching the porch railing with the fence style is another way to tie it all together, with same scrolling details, if any, or matching colors.

There are hundreds to choose from - here are a few (unpainted, of course):  http://www.aronsonfence.net/index_styles_picket.html

You can also tie in and accent the "colonial blue" theme with blue-flowering trees & plants, too (depending on what grows in your area - Iris, Hollyhock, Jacaranda, etc.)  Or an art object that picks up the grey/blue trim- Like a reflecting ball or statue.  

Just some quick thoughts ~M