Title
HLC#21-005: Public hearing to consider a request to repaint the exterior of the J.H. Alexander House at 103 Van Worth Street by Felix Wong on behalf of Bob Neal, owner
Description/History
The owner of the J.H. Alexander House, c. 1870, repainted the exterior of the house in prior to obtaining a Certificate of Appropriateness. The owner’s representative is requesting approval of the colors used to repaint the house. Although the house is currently used as an office, Section 3.10 of the Design Guidelines for Historic Residential Properties related to color design and paint apply to this building to ensure the house’s residential character is retained.
Historically, the colors used at Folk Victorian and early homes were quite simple - a body color and one trim color. These colors were typically light in color, reflecting both the lack of availability of quality darker colors, and the desire for painted surfaces that required little maintenance.
The Commission should consider the following standards when approving paint colors:
· Choose paint colors based on the building’s historical appearance. Selection of paint and stain colors based on research of historic colors and finishes is encouraged.
· Body and trim colors should not be similar in hue or tone intensity (i.e. 2 shades of colors that are closely related like green and red or 2 dark or light shades of the same color). Paint colors should be complementary to each other and the overall character of the historic building and should be used to accentuate the building’s significant features.
· A third color, commonly called an accent color, was quite often utilized to accentuate or highlight a particular feature of a house or building. Doors, window sashes, or special or decorative trim was typically painted an accent color.
· The articulation and details of exterior walls, window and doors and openings, trim, scale and texture of exterior materials can be enhanced or obscured by appropriate and in...
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