For those who care, it is inauthentic to paint 17th and pre-1780s houses white. The earliest were unpainted, left to weather. Paint was expensive and a sign of wealth, but as incomes in the Colonies increased, exterior paints of earth-based pigments such as red, ochre, browns, and greys were frequently used. White paint came into architectural fashion with the Federal (Adam) style, evolving into Greek Revival. The 1872 house (7th photo) should also not be coated in white, as the detailed ornamentation of the Victorian area was meant to be showcased in contrasting colors.
To Anonymous @ 5: Thank you for that fact. I can’t recall exactly when or where, but I recall hearing about one of my neighbors when I was a child: “They're too poor to paint and too proud to whitewash.” Something else: White paint on those old houses certainly makes them look beautiful.
I especially love the eagle above the door at number 85. :)
ReplyDeleteFor those who care, it is inauthentic to paint 17th and pre-1780s houses white. The earliest were unpainted, left to weather. Paint was expensive and a sign of wealth, but as incomes in the Colonies increased, exterior paints of earth-based pigments such as red, ochre, browns, and greys were frequently used. White paint came into architectural fashion with the Federal (Adam) style, evolving into Greek Revival. The 1872 house (7th photo) should also not be coated in white, as the detailed ornamentation of the Victorian area was meant to be showcased in contrasting colors.
ReplyDeleteIndeed - the 1872 Italianate house would have likely originally been painted in "restrained" but contrasting colors, not stark white.
DeleteTo Anonymous @ 5: Thank you for that fact. I can’t recall exactly when or where, but I recall hearing about one of my neighbors when I was a child: “They're too poor to paint and too proud to whitewash.”
ReplyDeleteSomething else: White paint on those old houses certainly makes them look beautiful.
In the very first picture that white house looks a bit squeejawed.
ReplyDeleteTruly superb! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteInteresting comments
ReplyDeleteA beautiful array of images. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos !!!!!!!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
ReplyDelete