Wonderful effects can be obtained if the paint colours on a house match or contrast with the colours of flowers and foliage in the garden.
Purple house?
The first house shown in our segment was painted a soft blue colour, with dark blue trim. However, when Don stood back from the house he noticed a tibouchina (Tibouchina ‘Alstonville’) with bright purple flowers, and a jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia), with purple/blue coloured flowers. While Don did not suggest that the house should have been painted purple, subtle shades of these strong colours could have been incorporated into the colour scheme of the house.
Fun with colour
The owners of the second house shown were adventurous in their choice of colours. The front door was painted purple to blend with the soft grey/green paint on the walls. The purple colour also picked up the purple/blue flowers of the street tree, a jacaranda, which flowers in late spring and early summer. The window boxes were painted grey/green to match the walls of the house, and planted with purple petunias to harmonise with the purple front door and jacaranda flowers.
Experiment with sample pots
You can have lots of fun using sample pots to try out different colours for the house, perhaps making up a colour board as seen on the show. Once you think your house colours are perfect, why not send Don a photo? Address your letter to:
Burke’s Backyard
PO Box 929
Willoughby 2068
Further information
Dulux sample pots are available at paint shops and hardware stores, and cost around $8 each.
Note: please do not send original photos (unless you have copies), as photos sometimes go astray. Send a stamped self addressed envelope if you want your photos returned.