Color looks different in every house. Detroit's red and buff brick, dark wood trim and grey winter light all change how a paint chip reads. We help you choose colors and sheens with samples on your own walls. In a local historic district, new exterior colors also need Historic District Commission approval.
Choosing color is the part of a paint job people worry about most. A small chip in a store tells you very little about a whole room or a whole house. Color consulting means looking at your rooms, your light and the things that will not change, and narrowing the choice to a few options you can see on your own walls before any paint is ordered. It is a conversation at your house, not a catalog.
Detroit houses come with fixed colors. Outside there is red, orange or buff brick, a roof, and often stone or stained wood. Inside there may be dark oak trim, wood floors and tile that are staying. A good scheme starts from those. Light matters too. Michigan's long grey winter makes cool greys and blues read colder than they do in summer, and north rooms shift colors toward blue. We point these things out room by room.
Sheen is chosen along with color. Flat and matte hide the waves in old plaster, eggshell suits most living spaces, and satin or semi-gloss goes on trim, kitchens and baths. Large samples are looked at in morning, afternoon and evening light. For exteriors in a Detroit local historic district, the Historic District Commission uses color systems tied to the style of the house and must approve a new color. Check before you buy paint.
Color consulting in Detroit: common questions
How do I choose an exterior color for a brick house?
Start from the brick and the roof, which will not change. Pick trim colors that sit well with both, and test them on the house before committing.
Why does my sample look different on the wall?
Light changes color. The direction the room faces, the bulbs, the floor and the season all shift it. Test large samples at different times of day.
Do historic districts in Detroit limit colors?
Yes. In a local historic district the Historic District Commission must approve a new exterior color. Repainting in the exact same color does not need approval.
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.