Product Description

This rare book by two respected architects invited homeowners of the Victorian era to eschew “white houses with green blinds” and join in the revolutionary trend towards colorful houses. In an introductory section, the authors explain clearly how to mix primary and secondary colors to achieve such popular, mellow tones of the period as olive, russet, citrine, buff, plum, and sage. The architectural drawings in the 20 beautiful color plates—each accompanied by a detailed explanation—show how color schemes work on the exteriors of specific houses. 20 color plates.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #179598 in Books
• Published on: 2001-07-03
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 64 pages

Customer Reviews

How to mix colors
To quote the book, "Those of our readers who expect to find lists comprising all the various scales of color, giving definite information as to what particular color should be used to harmonize with this or that shade, and telling just what combinations are allowable, and just what are to be condemned, will, therefore, be disappointed." This book covers how to prime wood and mix colors (reddish brown color is achieved by mixing Indian red and burnt umber) and does give specific color schemes. This is a reprint from 1883, and the authors mentioned that the printer could not replicate most of the color schemes they envisioned (maybe I need to get watercolor paint and mix the suggested colors to see what they intended). We are building a Victorian home, and I was looking for ideas of what worked well in the past, but the rust red, dark mustard yellow, greens and browns they showed did not inspire me as I had hoped. It does have helpful information about color selection, but it is fairly generic in nature. Most of the plates are house exteriors, but there are a few interior plates as well.

Simpla & Basic
Good for someone with a need for very basic color scheme for historic homes. No imagination needed. Colors are boring by our modern day standards, but give the old world look desired in the older victorian neighborhoods that despise the brighter californian look.

victorian colour schemes
After one realizes the victorians didn't have access to brilliant colours and variety we have today,one finds it quite good. The 3-toned schemes are great and not what we use today. I'm happy with the book.