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Exterior color update!

In a world full of choices, here's why we are choosing to embrace our restoration principles.


The current sad state of the exterior. We have our work cutout for us!

We've come to a decision... I'm sorry if this is anticlimactic, but here it is.


We are keeping the red


This summer our major project at The Koenig House is tackling the needed maintenance on the exterior. Because replacing all the cedar siding isn't in the budget, we are going to be replacing any bad boards and giving it a fresh coat of solid stain. This got us really thinking, should we take this opportunity to change the color of the house? After initially thinking last fall we'd go with a green/gray, we spent the entire winter discussing why Harry and Debbie chose to originally paint the house red in the first place.


Choosing classic over trendy

Long before the millennial Mid Mod craze for grey painted houses with color pop doors, the color people chose to say “I’m in with Mid-Century architecture In-Crowd” was a particular shade of dark brick red.” - Della Hansmann, Mid Mod Midwest

Now-a-days, it seems everyone and their brother is painting their Mid-Century home black or grey. This fact alone makes me want to go another direction. I've never been a fan of following trends. My opinion is that classic is classic for a reason. When you look to Mid-Century architecture, it's easy to see that red was a favorite. Especially with Frank Lloyd Wright and his crowd of disciples. This particular shade of dark red has been referred to as Cherokee Red or Fallingwater Red, coined after one of Wright's most famous designs where this color can be found in abundance. It is a well known fact that Cherokee Red was FLW's favorite color. Aside from the fact that this color screams Mid-Century to me, I think there is another reason we feel like it fits so well on our home.


Nature and the law of compliments

If you've taken one look inside The Koenig House, you'll notice that the green motif runs strong. What we love is that the green flows so naturally from the inside to the outside spaces. Our home is surrounded by evergreens and lush ferns. Is it no mistake that the compliment to green is RED? Over the winter it came into our awareness that perhaps the popularity of Cherokee Red has to do with how well it compliments the natural green foliage surrounding the home. One of the principles of Mid-Century architecture is capturing a home's oneness with nature and it's surroundings. To me, it seems like the exterior would be best a complimentary color rather than something that competes for attention or just blends into the background. This realization, along with our deep desire to maintain the integrity of The Koenig House's design, we felt like there was really only one choice: keep the red.


Here are a few other examples of classic Cherokee Red on Mid-Century Architecture:


Photo Credits: MidMod-Midwest.com

Logistics always play a roll


I'd be lying if I didn't mention the one other big deciding factor in our decision to keep the red, logistics. We are hoping to get at least 10 more years out of the cedar before having to replace it. Changing the color of the siding completely, just using stain would most certainly take 2-3 coats. I'm not sure if you can get an accurate scale of our house from the photos, but it is HUGE. I'm talking 35' tall, 4,000 sq ft huge. This staining is not going to be a small task. Attempting it myself, I'm not so keen on the idea of multiple coats. My hope is with keeping the red, I'll be able to get a fresh protective coat without having to go over it several times. I've gotta save some time and energy for the enormous deck that also needs to be replaced!


Here are some pics of our exterior as it is currently:

We will be removing the intrusive A/C unit. Also, two double sets of beautiful front doors are hiding behind the ugly storm doors which will also be changed out.

The West yard is in need of some landscaping. We are unsure what we will do about this door that is never used. Also, I'm considering building something to conceal and protect the gas meter.

The breezeway is one of our favorite exterior spaces. We will be accenting the red with dark bronze on the ceiling. I'm thinking I'll just refinish this man door with a similar shade of honey stain.

The purist in me always wins


It's no surprise that when I'm given a choice between renovation or restoration, I'm always picking the latter. I think it's important to realize when something was done well in the first place why change it? I don't want this home to lose its uniqueness or look like someone's flip project. If I wanted that type of house there are so many out there. What we have here at The Koenig House is special, and I will forever feel like I am a steward of its integrity.


Here are some other historically accurate colors, from FLW himself. This is the "Taliesin Palette." Down 3 rows and over 4, you will see our Cherokee Red!

Image Credit: franklloydwright.org

What do you think? Are we making the right choice? I'd love to hear your opinions!

3 Comments


viccidugree
Apr 26, 2022

Absolutley made the right choice! The woods and nature all around your home will compliment the cherokee red as it will compliment nature🥰

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ahcollin
Apr 26, 2022

Another practical reason to paint it red…the Iron Ore dust in the area, I am not sure if you have noticed but every light colored siding in Ishpeming/Negaunee ends up with a pinkish hue to it. :-) Your other reasons are good too. My mom is good friends with Debbie and has enjoyed looking at your IM pictures through my account :-).

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Michele Dupras
Michele Dupras
Apr 26, 2022
Replying to

That’s a really good point! Our last house in Negaunee was beige with pink overtones 😂 Thanks for being here and sharing with your mom❤️

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