Decorating and Design - Filling a void

We have recently placed a new roof, and painted all the gables of our 1950's ranch home. Problem is, I have a prominent gable on the front elevation of the house that now painted, looks odd and unfinshed. I cannot figure out how to tie a brick home, black roof and black front door in with the moss green colored gable. It looks so empty and unfinished. Thoughts, suggestions?

Hi bschnurr and welcome to DIY.

This will depend a lot of the color balance, lighting, the windows and doors types, the house style and position, etc.

Can you post a picture so I can see what you see, in order to provide a better advice

Welcome to the forums!

Are there any windows? vent on the gable? anything you can add a different color too?
If it is just a plain gable end with nothing to paint another color, you could find something [large] to mount near the center of the gable to break it up.

Ya, a pic would be nice. Don't know why I didn't think of that but that then that's why we pay Patricia the big bucks :D:eek::D

Use a free site like Image hosting, free photo sharing & video sharing at Photobucket (http://www.photobucket.com)

<a href="http://s602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/bschnurr/?action=view&current=NewImage.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/bschnurr/NewImage.jpg" border="0" alt="ranch house.after"></a>


Ok, here is a picture on photobucket. (thanks for the refernce to that site also!)

Hi bschnurr

It is a nice house, but, in my opinion, it needs color harmony and a focal point. If you see your picture, you will see several colors and materials, but not too connected among them
So this is what I'd do--> give the gable module the focal point category. I'd take advantage of the dark roof and main door and I'd work with a dark siding or, if you prefer a dark stucco.
A couple of dark louvered shutters can be a nice final touch
If you wish to go further, create a molding around the gable

Something like this
http://www.punchhelpers.com/DIY/gablelook

(sorry, I cut your flag) :D

At the risk of oversimplifying or making it sound bland, I think the green could be repainted something in the white family to match the window trim and garage doors. With a dark roof, and brick, the white will really make it pop. Also, I agree that shutters would help to jazz up the front windows. I would depend on plantings in my front bed to bring in the color and keep the colors on the house more traditional. Best of Luck.

The white paint on the gable is not a bad idea, if we think only about the brick, windows, etc. However, IMO and in order to balance the front door color, I'd prefer a darker color for the shutters and gable

http://www.punchhelpers.com/DIY/gablelook2

From a design challenged person, I agree with Patricia. The white would overpower the rest of the house and the dark door would stand out and look odd. A dark color like the door integrates the whole structure together.

Now, if there were a white storm door on the front, I might concede a white gable with some sort of dark false vent or emblem in the gable?

JMO

Hi Gunguy,

It looks like a nice new door, and I think that is a good focal point.
But anyway, I see a second issue by adding a white storm door--> a dark roof over too much white in a house with one level looks "overweight"

http://www.punchhelpers.com/DIY/gablelook3

Ack! What kind of storm doors do they have where you live Patricia...lol.

I meant more of a full glass, showing the door color though. Looks like it may be nickel caming in the door? So a nice full view storm outlining the glass then paint the gable ...

LOL :D

I guess that this is an interpretation issue. Anyway... if it is a glass door, it is not a white door :rolleyes:

White frame..like this...http://www.stormdoors.com/images/doors/Cont_Dlx__Intr_FV_Clr_WH_NK%20sm5.jpg

As I said..aesthetically challenged here

Now I see what you mean. The misunderstanding was because you mentioned a white door. ;)
Anyway, IMO, even if you add just the white frame + glass, the black door will be covered...

Yer right..all depends on sun and angle..different when screen is in..depends on the user.

Agreed :thumbup: it will depend of the user

We have recently placed a new roof, and painted all the gables of our 1950's ranch home. Problem is, I have a prominent gable on the front elevation of the house that now painted, looks odd and unfinshed. I cannot figure out how to tie a brick home, black roof and black front door in with the moss green colored gable. It looks so empty and unfinished. Thoughts, suggestions?

Actually...the color green in the first photo is absolutely correct in my opinion. The green neutralizes the brick color, is just the right size to do so, and even blends with your lawn making apretty picture. A decorator couldn't have picked a better color....

Bill