Paint Colors

I need some help understand how to define the paint colors in our HOA. Our CC&Rs state "must be finished or painted in natural browns and brown tones, or other natural earth colors approved by the Board of Directors, only, and in such a manner as not to detract from, nor mar, the natural beauty of the surroundings."

What I'm having trouble understanding is "other natural earth colors". How do you figure out just what colors this is suppose to be?

Does anyone have similar wording?

Thanks in advance for your help.

The CCRs give guidance to the general tones, now a committee must provide the details.

Each member should have a color sample of approved colors.

Off to the paint store, or hire a community planner that is versed in color selection and paint.

Although i agree with Mike's Wiki definition, if i was in the HOA, i would argue that the covenant states natural earth COLORS, not earth tones.. and thus, I could paint my home GOLD (pyrite), Blue (sky, or azurite), purple (chalcopyrite), green (malachite), red (corundum, ruby, some limonites), black (coal), or orange/yellow (limonite).

But, i just like to argue.

Take the advice of everyone else: define the colors like Mike/Wiki suggests, and then get paint samples from a local store, and make a "sample book" for owners to look at and compare against. Make a couple, cause one will get taken and lost. Doing this in advance is much easier than argueing it later.

My assn's architectural committee is resp for coming up with the accepted paint colors. They update the list every few years. They have selected Dunn Edwards paint, but the selected color can be matched by any brand paint. We have 10 selections with each including a body and a trim color. Paint swatches can be viewed on line or by visiting a Dunn Edwards store. The committee will allow the member to mix and match also.

The way I would read this is that the BOD has the discretion to approve anything that is a "natural earth color." One can argue color versus tone all they want, but in the end the BOD's view is what matters. And the BOD could say they won't approve anything outside of "natural browns and brown tones."

Now if I were on the Board I would decline to make a detailed book of acceptable colors. I would instead issue guidelines and have people make submissions. I would not want to cause an owner to fail to submit the most awesome color scheme because I failed to realize how great it would make the neighborhood look while assembling the book. (But then again I am a person who would not dare make a choice in colors without consulting an additional person.)

Donna:

What a neat idea!

I'm going to add that to our to-do list!

Donna!!!!!!!!!!!

I also say that your association has hit a great idea. It leaves for a wide range and yet gives meaningful guidelines.

By the way, is Cranberry an earth tone? We recently had this request and I really don't know the answer. Knowing the owner I am sure it would look fine in our neighborhood. But I was at a loss for knowing if this was within the guidelines.