Providence houses carry a lot of detail, and the right colors show it off. We help you choose body, trim and accent colors that suit the style of the house, the roof and the brick. The city's Historic District Commission does not review paint color.
Color is a bigger question in Providence than in most cities, because the houses have so much detail. A Victorian in the Armory District or on Broadway may carry a body color, a trim color, a sash color and an accent on the brackets. A colonial on Benefit Street looks right in a simpler scheme. We help you choose colors that suit the age and style of the house and the fixed things you cannot change, such as the roof, brick and stone.
Light here changes through the year. Winter light is low and grey, summer light is strong, and big street trees turn rooms green in June. A color that looks clean on a chip can look cold in a north room or yellow in a west one. We suggest testing large samples on the actual wall and looking at them in the morning, at midday and in the evening before you decide.
In the city's local historic districts, the Providence Historic District Commission does not review paint color, so the choice is yours. Condo and homeowner associations may have their own rules. Sheen matters as much as color: flatter finishes hide old plaster, and glossier ones stand up to washing. We talk through color and sheen as part of the estimate. Ask us what help is included with your job. There is no pressure to decide on the first visit.
Color consulting in Providence: common questions
Do I need approval for my paint colors in a Providence historic district?
No. The Providence Historic District Commission lists paint color and the repainting of previously painted surfaces as items it does not review. Changes to siding, trim, windows and other materials are reviewed. Condo associations may have their own color rules.
How many colors should an old Providence house have?
It depends on the style. Plain colonial and Federal houses often look best with two: body and trim. Victorian houses were designed for three or more, so the trim, sashes and details read separately. We can show you where each color would go.
How do I test a color before the whole house is painted?
Paint a large sample on the wall, at least two feet square, on both a sunny side and a shaded side. Look at it at different times of day. Indoors, look at it with the lamps you use at night.
How it works
- Free estimate: Call, text or book online. We walk the job and measure.
- Written quote: Prep, paint and price in writing.
- Prep & protect: We cover floors and furniture, repair and prime surfaces.
- Paint & walk-through: Two coats, clean lines, full clean-up and a final walk-through.