Same problem with all the Southern Colonials painted white. Originally they had brighter colors. White was because that was all that was available during the Civil War. Black shutters? Maybe on a Federal, not on a Southern. ( But I don't go for the Haint Blue to ward off evil spirits either) So sad, there is a fantastic Victorian with all the trim in place on St. Mary's road in Hillsborough. Solid white. Where is the 5 color Victorian boldness? A cape on the northern beach, light blue with white. Works. A ranch has a lot of opportunities, but multi-grays or multi-earth tones usually work depending on the surroundings. I guess the worst is Phoenix where thousands of houses only vary in what tint of Terra Cota roof with slight shades of tan stucco. You don't even know what neighborhood you are in. Just adding bump-outs and gables is not "architecture"
tyles were developed over time as what works. When pushing too far off, you had better know what you are doing as usually, the classic style, be it Federal Colonial, mid-century modern, Cape, etc, will work the best. Of course, we then had Levitt & Sons," little houses made of ticky-tack, little houses all the same" to paraphrase Pete Seeger. All trim white. All insides magnolia. No respect for architecture, just how to house returning veteran families cheap. On my house, mostly brick, the white trim just jumped out as garish. My shop is solid dark brown as I want it to disappear. I was looking at my shed today. It is barn red. I think it should be dark green. With a few bushes, it will fade into the woods.
Interior trim I prefer a bit off white. How off and what tint depends on a lot of other questions. Pure white works in mid-century better. In reality, I like like wood. Trim needs to tie the rooms together allowing freedom in the walls and style.
OK, tonight's rant is over. I love residential architecture. Even thought about it until I found out it takes 12 years to become licensed. Later I found out they need a structural engineer to sign off and if an engineer, you can practice architecture!