Planning to paint the exterior of our 1910s row house in Roncesvalles this spring and feeling decision paralysis about colour. Looking for inspiration and advice from people who’ve done this recently.
The house: Classic red brick, white trim currently (faded), black iron fence, black metal roof trim. Front facade is mostly brick — the paintable areas are the trim, soffit, porch ceiling, front door, window frames, and the small amount of stucco on the second-floor bay window.
What we’re considering:
- Classic approach: Creamy white trim, black window frames, vivid front door colour (navy, burgundy, or forest green)
- More contemporary: Charcoal window frames and trim, matte black door and hardware
- Heritage look: Warm sage or muted olive green trim with black accents
The heritage constraint: We’re in a heritage district. Has anyone dealt with Toronto Heritage Preservation for exterior colour changes on a designated property? Do I need approval for paint colour, or is that only for materials and structural changes?
Also — any recommendations for painters who specialize in older Toronto homes in the Roncesvalles/Parkdale area? We want someone who knows how to prep and prime 100-year-old wood properly, not just slap paint on.
Budget for the exterior paint job: approximately $5,000.