Geelong is full of beautiful period homes, from Victorian terraces and Federation villas to the weatherboard Californian bungalows that line the streets of Geelong West, Newtown and Belmont. With October being History Month, it's the perfect time to talk heritage colour and how to choose a scheme that does justice to your home's era.
Why heritage colour matters
Period homes were designed with colour in mind. The right scheme brings out the details that make them special, like fretwork, finials, window architraves and decorative brickwork, while the wrong one can flatten them. A considered heritage palette also helps your home sit comfortably in the streetscape.
Victorian (around 1840s to 1900)
Victorian homes often used three or more colours. Think a stone, ochre or rich mid-tone body colour, deeper contrasting trims in reds, greens or browns, and lighter highlights picking out decorative details. Cast iron lacework was traditionally painted a dark colour, such as deep green or near black.
Federation and Edwardian (around 1890 to 1915)
Red brick paired with cream or off-white trims, accented with deep Indian red or Brunswick green on doors, window sashes and fretwork. Schemes are warmer and a little simpler than Victorian ones.
Californian bungalow and interwar (around 1915 to 1940)
Earthy and understated. Creams, buffs and stone for the body, with mid browns, deep greens or terracotta on trims and window frames. These colours suit the chunky verandah piers and exposed rafters the style is known for.
Our heritage picks
We've chosen four colours from Resene's own heritage recommendations that work across all three eras:
- Resene Soapstone: a soft off-white, ideal for bungalow bodies and for picking out decorative details
- Resene Buff: a warm stone shade, the classic Victorian weatherboard colour
- Resene Kaitoke Green: a deep heritage green for trims, doors and lacework
- Resene Nelson Red: a rich heritage red for front doors and window sashes
Pair a light body colour like Soapstone or Buff with Kaitoke Green or Nelson Red on the trims and front door for a scheme that feels true to the era.
Check for a Heritage Overlay first
Before changing exterior colours, check with the City of Greater Geelong whether your property is covered by a Heritage Overlay. Some properties need a planning permit for external painting, and council can advise on suitable colours.
Prep tips for older homes
- Old weatherboards often need scraping, sanding and filling, and bare or weathered timber will need priming before you paint.
- Homes built before 1970 may have lead-based paint. Test before sanding, and if lead is present, follow safe removal guidelines or call in a professional.
- Use a quality exterior paint made for timber to stand up to Geelong's coastal weather.
History Month in Geelong
If you love local history, The Geelong Club at 74 Brougham Street is hosting a Glimpses of Geelong's Past exhibition on 9 to 11 and 16 to 18 October, with free lectures on 9 and 16 October. More details at historymonth.org.au.
Visit us in Moolap
Bring in a photo of your home and we'll help you work through colour options that suit its era. Find us at 38-40 Cheetham Rd, Moolap.