What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you imagine Greece? I won’t be wrong to say, the picture -perfect blue and white painted houses against the orange sunset, and cool blue sea waters! Yes, the white and blue houses have become one major identity of the country, in no time it gained popularity on world tourism map. Considering this, the Greek government made it a law in the year 1974 that all buildings must be done in only white and blue shades.
San Francisco - we associate that city with being very culturally progressive. So you expect that freedom of expression. But what strikes us there is the 'Painted Ladies,' because you think of those old Victorian houses that were built so many different years ago, and you think of how, in the late-'70s, they got this name. People were using colour as a way to accentuate the individual architectural details on the house, because if you look at these houses, they all look the same, and, if you go down to that row, it's such a beautiful expression — not just of colour, but really of what that city is all about. So that's always the first thing that comes to mind when we think of colour in a particular city.
Tastes and colours of facades are not debatable, they are regulated!
You have got some bold ideas for painting your house? Depending of the type of your property you need to obtain the planning permission. As a resident in Kensington recently discovered after painting her house in red and white stripes, if you paint your house in a colour or pattern not in keeping with the amenity of your area (whatever your motive), you could fall foul of other planning powers and be ordered to restore your property to an appropriate condition. The Section 215 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 of UK gives local planning authorities powers to serve notices requiring owners or occupiers to remedy the condition of their property if the authority thinks it adversely affects the amenity of the area.
French regulations are some of the most restrictive in the world, more influenced by French classicism than by shimmering colours. And yet, as Henri Matisse said, "One tone alone is only a colour, two tones are a chord, that is life." It has long been shown that colours and ambient light influence the way the brain processes emotional stimuli. Without going so far as to cure, certain colours therefore seem to act on our well-being.
The French law of 10 July 1965 on co-ownership requires co-owners to maintain the facade of their building and to keep it in a good state of cleanliness at all times (see Code de la construction et de l'habitation, Article L152-11). Of course, if the building is located in an area classified as a Historic Monument or listed in the inventory, it will also be necessary to obtain the agreement of the Bâtiments de France architect.
There are strict regulations at regional or municipal level concerning the colour of facades, but also of shutters, windows and doors. The aim is to maintain consistency in local architecture and to preserve the harmony of the neighbourhoods.
Cities are committed to enhancing their urban heritage.
The development of colour charters and colour charts in line with the architectural history of the various buildings is one of the tools used to enhance their value. These tools are invaluable for companies, owners and project managers. In France, from north to south and from east to west, the houses in each region and even the windows and shutters have their own particularities.
Shutter colours in the South West
Toulouse, the Pink City and its grey shutters. Bayonne, Biarritz and the Basque Country: shutters painted in "Basque red" colour. On the island of Ré, shutters are going green!
With its tradition of green shutters, the island of Ré in Charente-Maritime is an exception. And to safeguard what is also the visual richness of the island, a palette of twelve colours has been developed with the architect of Bâtiments de France.
In Bordeaux, the “sleeping beauty” has white shutters.
Shutter colours in the South East
In Nice, the many colours of the Mediterranean.
On the Mediterranean coast, the city of Nice is also famous for its lively little streets... and the colour palette of its shutters. The city's urban planning department has therefore published a comprehensive colour guide. It ranges from traditional facades with warm tones, to recommended colours for more recent facades.
Colours for the Principality of Monaco
In the Principality of Monaco, it is the Direction de la prospective de l'urbanisme et de la mobilité (DPUM) which gives the guidelines to follow. As in the French communes, the choice of colours must be submitted to the DPUM when it comes to façades, windows and shutters. But also ironwork, balconies, window frames... 36 colours are in keeping with the architecture of the area.
Thanks to our long experience and our network, we will be able to accompany you during your construction projects or the renovation of your property. Contact us and we will help you to avoid the difficulties of the existing regulations.