Marketing with Bold and Beautiful Colors
By Caroline Dunlop Millett
A stately Philadelphian townhouse was a grand, but very tired old lady before preservationist developer Priscilla Luce bought her in 2010. The original 1800 Pine Street facade was built in 1852 in classic federal style, while the 18th and Waverly Street additions boast exuberant Victorian features. Open to sun and trees on all three sides, the mansion has splendid views and an abundance of natural light.
As you can see, the exterior walls are begging for attention and new paint. Luce's partner Caroline Dunlop Millett, real estate developer and interior designer for over 35 years, has created a custom whole-house color concept for both exterior and interior renovations. Using Sherwin-Williams' “Preservation Palette” exclusively, 1800 Pine will soon have an authentic but wonderfully fresh face.
Millett's complementary color scheme is coordinated with the original rosy red bricks, which remain untouched. The scheme include vigorous greens in two values (Rockwood Blue Green – SW 2811 and Sash Green – SW 2810) which will revive the dormers and trims. Crème white with a slight greenish cast (Roycroft Vellum – SW 2833) is designated for windows and dark areas within the terrace, as well as the front door to the penthouse. Significant architectural features will be accented by Antique red (Toile – SW 0006).
All these hues belong to Sherwin-Williams' “Preservation Palette.” Our painter, John Parsons of Malverne Painting, agrees that the multiple hues are essential to bring out the unique features of the Victorian facade. His grandfather, Calvin Malverne, started the firm 46 years ago, and from the beginning he was using Sherwin-Williams' paints. John explained that “times have changed but the original traditional Sherwin-Williams colors can't be beat. They never lose authenticity.” Altogether the variegated green and red scheme will create a warm and welcoming environment for all three condominiums currently under construction.
You may wonder why Millett chose to use Sherwin-Williams exclusively. After working with many Benjamin Moore “Historical Colors” in a number of major renovations, she realized that Sherwin-Williams has brighter and bolder historic hues to offer. These more saturated hues are particularly appropriate at 1800 Pine – so long neglected and so cheerless. Another reason she is now committed to the company is its splendid service. For over 12 years she taught interior design courses at the University of Pennsylvania. In her seminars on light and color, providing real world samples was often a problem in class. A Sherwin-Williams representative provided her with extensive materials, and she even gave special packages for all the students. They loved this!
Moreover, Sherwin-Williams and Luce & Millett , G.P. share a common commitment to custom design and innovative style. This is apparent in the one-of-a-kind floor plans Millett created for all three multi-level condominiums. Each home has its own street level entrance, providing exceptional privacy. Luce and Millett's “green theme” is most apparent in the penthouse where balconies (as well as green roofs), are accessible around the apartment's top two floors. All three condominiums have unique detailing and custom color schemes – attributes most often found in single family residences.
Last but certainly not least is the partnership's plan to use Sherwin-Williams “Faux Impressions” line of paints in special places within each unit. Imagine the surprise prospective buyers will have when they walk into the #1 Pine Street entry hall – they'll see “Textured Fresco” above the wainscoted original gray and ivory marble. Similarly in the four-story penthouse, I expect visitors will be delighted to open the big red door and find a shining corridor enlivened by “Natural Striae.” This highly textured paint will provide a fresh and fascinating ambiance: all the way up the stairways and around the private elevator to the third floor. The powder room above will feature “Leaf ” treatments. This will be yet another surprise: leaves will be found floating in opalescent mists! Several other “faux” rooms will provide excitement elsewhere.
Happily all of these textured and/or metallic paints are neutral enough to fit in with almost any new owner's possessions. You may be interested in seeing Sherwin-Williams' complete line of specialty finishes: Artisan, Old World, Quartz Stone, and Metallic Impressions. Each comes with its own glamorous booklet available at your local store. Of course you will be invited to see samples in real life when the 1800 Pine Street renovation is complete!
Brief Bio Data: Caroline Dunlop Millett holds an M.A. from Stanford University in American Cultural History. Since 1973, she has designed, developed, and decorated real estate. Throughout her career she has specialized in historic preservation, along with an eclectic integration of fine arts. She began in Washington's Logan Circle. This area was then a red light district filled with superb late 19th century houses – yet untouched by commercial “improvements.” Millett bought her first home at 1320 Vermont Avenue. By dividing the townhouse into three rental units, she could pay her mortgage and continue her work at the United States Information Agency and the State Department at the same time.
During her foreign service career Millett served as United States Cultural Attache in Brasilia, Brazil, and as Advisor on the Arts in Washington. During the mid-1970's she was appointed to the President's Advisory Council in Historic Preservation, and served as the State Department's representative to the National Trust for Historic Preservation. During this period she coordinated international arts festivals, most notably the 1973 Sao Paulo Biennial “Made in Chicago.”
In the 1980's Millett moved to Philadelphia where she first worked as Vice President of the University of the Arts and also supervised the university's art gallery. Subsequently she became trustee of several cultural institutions including the Preservation Coalition of Greater Philadelphia. In the late 1980's she returned to real estate development in Philadelphia's University City, where she still lives in a neo-Palladian house built in 1855. In the late 1980's and early1990's she renovated her largest historic project: virtually a whole city block including landscaped grounds, a 65 unit school, 12 unit rectory and 50 unit church. She kept the block-long church walls intact, and built a whole new structure within (leaving open air terraces and balconies between the original church walls and the new structure).
Currently Millett owns her own art gallery and she publishes regular columns on design, fine art, and cultural commentary. Today's Historic Interiors, her most recent work, published by Schiffer in 2011, is available on Amazon and local book stores.
