If you are planning to paint an older home, you have three options.

* You can hire a pro to analyze old paint chips and recreate the original color.
* You can refer to historic color charts and select shades that might have been used at the time your home was built.
* Or, you can fly in the face of history and choose bright modern colors to dramatize architectural details.

The third option can produce startling and exciting results. But before you buy 10 gallons of bubblegum pink, it’s a good idea to look at what your neighbors are doing.

A fluorescent colored Victorian that looks splendid in San Francisco will seem wildly out of place in more conservative neighborhoods. Even if you are opting for a more subtle scheme, you’ll want to make sure that your colors are compatible with the houses next door.

Visit HouseColour.com to read more about selecting the perfect color for your home.