Choosing a Color Palette for Your Historic New England Home

October 1, 2025

Preserving New England Style with Historic Paint Colors

New England’s identity is intertwined with its unique history. It’s home to many iconic architectural styles—from Federal and Greek Revival to colonial and Shingle. Historic preservation plays an important role in home design here, both inside and out.

When it comes to paint colors, most people are interested in choosing a palette that suits their home’s period or style—whether it is a lovingly restored antique or a faithful reproduction. If it’s a project worth doing, it’s worth doing well, say the pros at Town Line Wallpaper & Paint in Malden, Massachusetts.

“An authentic color palette is important to many of our customers,” says Todd Zigelbaum, a co-owner of Town Line. “We recommend California Paints because its historic color collections and quality are second to none.” Not surprisingly, “most people don’t know that it is a New England-based company,” says Zigelbaum. Based in Andover, Massachusetts, California Paints has been in operation for close to a century.

Expert Paint Selection and Design Guidance for Historic Homes

They take the guesswork out of choosing paint, says Virginia Gorham, a designer at Town Line. “I work with customers of all kinds, some who have done their research, others who have not,” she says. “No matter what they need, I’ll feel them out and walk them through the process. We invite them to bring in materials such as tile and flooring so we can make a good match.

“Many homes in our market are very old, so we may steer them in the direction of more muted shades,” she continues. “In the case of a historic home, we’ll ask if they want to match the original colors or reinterpret them for a more modern feel. If they’re painting the exterior, we’ll even look at Google Earth to see what the other homes on the street look like.”

California Paints Delivers Authenticity and Quality

California Paints offers two historic color collections featuring 279 distinct shades, each verified by the archivists and historians at Historic New England, the oldest historic preservation society in the U.S. The Historic Colors of America collection was inspired by hundreds of samples taken from early historic buildings and painted objects—from folk carvings to corner cupboards. The 20th Century Colors of America collection sets the standard for authenticity in the modern age, featuring colors found in Craftsman, midcentury, and postmodern homes.

In collaboration with California Paints, Historic New England has compiled a comprehensive list of appropriate paint colors by architectural style and period. With so many options available, it’s a very long list but Gorham is confident she can help you decide if a nuanced shade is for you.

The designer believes that choosing the best paint is the first building block of good design. “With a durable paint that covers well, you won’t be disappointed, no matter what look you’re going for,” she says. “Many homeowners like to paint trim white or a slightly lighter shade than the walls. Others prefer lighter walls and darker trim. Ceilings used to be flat white, but more and more customers want to paint the ‘fifth wall’ a shade that’s 20 to 25 percent of the wall color. For a dramatic look, some designers are painting everything the same color, or ‘saturating’ a room. California Paints suits them all.”

While Town Line is a multi-brand store, California Paints is the go-to choice for anyone in search of the highest quality and the most authentic colors, says Zigelbaum. For us, it’s about quality and integrity. We’re celebrating sixty solid years of working with California Paints and it’s easy to see why.”

California Paints
californiapaints.com

Town Line Wallpaper & Paint
townlinepaint.com
781-324-9255

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