If you're fascinated by the charm of historic properties, then you'll most likely be familiar with the viral Instagram account Cheap Old Houses. Founded by Elizabeth and Ethan Finkelstein, Cheap Old Houses seeks to share the hidden beauty of old homes across the country; helping homeowners realize these properties into their dream family homes.
'Old homes have a past, and people can identify with the idea that they’re adding to the narrative of a home,' says Elizabeth Finkelstein, Co-Founder of Cheap Old Houses.
And now, the couple has partnered with California-based paint company Dunn-Edwards DURA to unveil a capsule range of paint ideas, inspired by the unique character of historic homes. Comprising a total of 15 color trends, the newly launched collection ranges from earthy shades of browns and greens reminiscent of midcentury modern to muted tones of red that nod to traditional farmhouse style. Designed to encourage an experimental approach, these colors can be effortlessly mixed and matched throughout your home decor ideas.
'Layering your voice and your style onto an old house is such a rewarding feeling,' says Elizabeth. 'Knowing that while respecting the bones and history of a home, someday someone will look back and appreciate the way you restored something and let an original detail shine again.'
Although aimed at reinventing historic buildings, the Cheap Old Houses collection is by no means only for old homes. However old – or new – your home is, these paints can be embraced to create a space that's full of character by incorporating influences from previous decades. 'Fresh paint can make a house feel fresh and grounded in an appropriate time period, which can, in turn, help you feel right at home,' says Elizabeth.
'But it’s not as simple as selecting one color for the walls, and another for the trim. Through this capsule collection with DURA, we want to make the experience of selecting a dynamic "polychrome" paint palette fun and a little simpler by looking to history to highlight colors we think are inspiring and exciting,' continues Elizabeth.
For a pared-back look, opt to decorate with neutrals such as Fine Grain, or to refresh your home in 2024 with a splash of uplifting color then consider Red Contrast or Bungalow Gold. Whatever interior design style you're most drawn to, you can use these colors alongside each other to create a dynamic scheme that has real depth thanks to their historical influences.
'Picking out paint color is already an intimidating task, even without feeling the pressure of honoring a home’s history,' says Jessica Mycek, color expert at Dunn-Edwards DURA. 'The Finkelsteins have truly started a cultural phenomenon around their appreciation and care for restoring older homes. We hope this color collection helps guide and inspire DIYers tackling their own “cheap old house” projects.'
The new Dunn-Edwards DURA x Cheap Old Houses capsule collection is available to shop now at Dunn-Edwards DURA, shipping nationwide across the US. If you're looking for more inspiration for decorating with color, we've rounded up the 11 paint colors that experts predict will dominate interiors in 2024.
