Property: 619 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Lansing
Owner: Richard and Eileen Ridenour
Assessed: $52,000
Owner says: Big rooms, sturdy construction, great place to raise kids.
Another of the MLK corridor's architectural gems is the delightful residence at 619 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.. Located just steps from the busy Saginaw Street and MLK intersection stands this immaculately kept one and a half-story house. It features an elegant three-season porch located beneath the extension of main roof reminiscent of the American Craftsman style.
Owner Eileen Ridenour said that she and her family have lived in the home for 39 years. They have done extensive remodeling indoors, and have painted the exterior many times. She said she believed the house was built in the 1920s.
Choosing the correct shade of color for your house can be challenging and immensely rewarding. Too subtle a color can wash out a beautiful home. Too brilliant a color can overwhelm. The trick is to achieve the correct balance. Painted a lustrous shade of blue with contrasting white trim, this house demonstrates how well the use of color (neither too bright nor too subtle) can highlight the best features and add a cheery splash of color to the neighborhood.
A lesson on choosing colors for your house by Amanda Harrell-Seyburn:
Before choosing colors for your house a little homework must be done. One of the of the most common errors in choosing paint colors for a house is not taking into consideration its character and/or the context of the house (the neighborhood and its surroundings). This error often results in less than stellar paint jobs. To ensure an outstanding color choice appropriate to the house, consider the following tips:
Historic Houses: If you have a historic home you may want to use a color scheme that is historically accurate. For best results consult an architectural historian. You can either have the house analyzed for its original color or select colors from a chart that are appropriate to the time period and style of the house. Be considerate of the region in which the historic house is located. Keep in mind that colors, even those that are associated with a particular style, can be regionally specific. Choose colors that suit the region and style.
Neighborhood Surroundings: Take careful consideration of the other houses and buildings in the neighborhood. Use colors that complement the other houses. Incredibly vivid colors can be fun when in the company of other equally vibrant buildings, they can be visually jarring especially in a neighborhood of predominately muted tones.
Color Balance:
-Contrasting colors are a great way to highlight architectural details. However do not use extreme colors (this is especially important to remember when using dark colors) that will detract from the details.
-Multiple colors can be exciting on a house. Usually the darkest color is for details while the lightest shade is for the main structure. There are exceptions to this rule (619 MLK is an exception with the lightest color, white, on the detailing and blue on the main structure) but be very careful and consult an expert before doing so.
-Colors should be distributed throughout the building equally. Do not use a single splash of color to highlight one detail. This will draw too much attention to the detail and make the house appear visually uneven.
Proportion:
-If a house is two stories and you are compelled to paint each story a different color, first consider that this may not be a good idea. Second, if you still want to do two different colors remember that the darkest color should always be on the first story to visually ground the house.
-If you desire a very bright color, say cerulean, use it sparingly. Brilliant colors can overwhelm, especially on a small house. Use the color on the detailing and choose a less brilliant but contrasting color for the main structure to ensure a beautiful result.
DO: Seek expertise to ensure that your color choice is appropriate. Painting a house is a long term decision. It is costly to repaint because of a poor color decision. Seeking expertise to make a good color choice will save you both and time and money. Good color choices can dramatically improve appearance and market value of a house.
DON'T: Make color choices that are shortsighted. The point of the color is to enhance the beauty and character of the house so that it may be enjoyed for years to come. Thoughtless color choice can compromise the aesthetic of the house and the neighborhood. This will cost you more money and time in the long term.
“Eye candy of the Week" is our weekly look at some of the nicer properties in Lansing. It rotates each with Eyesore of the Week. If you have a suggestion, please e-mail eye@lansingcitypulse.com or call Neal McNamara at 371-5600 ex. 17.
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