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Completely agree with Mr. Gaumont regarding Mary’s ceilings, but am interested in knowing what decision you made, Mary, and how it turned out.

We own a 1970s Deck House in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C. I find myself “thinking” more about what needs to be done rather than “doing” what needs done because, like you, I don’t want to ruin its architectural integrity.

First, our ceilings (even in our sheds!) are T&G cedar (NOT knotty pine, which I understand was not used in Berkes’ homes). Love ‘em!

Second, I’ve played with the idea to “lighten” the feel of our home, primarily on the walk-out ground level, but was and remain loathed to ruin our natural setting by changing the color of the beams that extend outside. Did you try painting your brick fireplace (which I assume you have on both levels)? We haven’t, but I have considered having it refaced in stone indigenous to this area.

Third, to help lighten up our place I had considered lacquering our ceilings so they would reflect light instead of absorbing light, but appreciate the perspective of Martin-Dillenger, who wrote above that it tends toward the “country cottage” look stead of mid-century modern. Glad I have read that! Will avoid at all costs.

One thing we have done is used olive oil on our ceilings when they begin looking a little “dry.” I hope that’s sound. And we’ve learned to “wash” the outdoor woodwork with paint thinner on cheese clothe. NOTHING else would clean bird yuck off our dark-brown stain.

One question for Mr. Gaumont: Martin-Dillenger suggested painting the window casements a lighter color. Our exterior is a slate-blue T&G cedar with dark brown wooden casement windows and dark brown extended beams. Truly, I hate the overall “drab” effect.

It’s time for us to paint and I would like to lighten the exterior (except for the cross beams) with some two-tone monochromatic scheme: maybe in the light moss/darker moss greens or even add a smidge of sandy-yellow. Are there rules when it comes to exterior color schemes for Deck Houses? (I do NOT want it to look like a color scheme from the Acorn line, for what that’s worth.)

I have seen some recent exterior work of mid-century, non-Deck Houses in which a dark greenish/grayish hue on house is paired with something in the mellow-yellow family on trim surrounding white vinyl-clad windows. But I’ve seen nothing like that juxtaposed with dark beams paired with wood casement windows.

We are getting older very fast and need to cut down on the high maintenance associated with keeping up this home … which we adore except for its maintenance sweat and costs. :~)

Thoughts? (Anyone?)

Again, glad to have found this site.

~K.M. McIntyre