Latest "Prettiest Painted Places" a Colorful Feast for the Eyes: Third 50 Entries

Dramatic color is the common denominator when it comes to many of the latest “prettiest painted places” to enter our competition. From brightly painted bungalows in the Hawaiian Islands to colorful stucco structures in the Southwestern U.S. to boldly rendered New England seaports, the color chart employed in many of these places is, to borrow a phrase, “off the charts”.

These entries illustrate how striking paint color can serve various purposes when viewed in conjunction with the surrounding environment. In colorful places where water and exotic foliage are present, brightly colored paint allows homes and buildings to compete for attention; on the other hand, in desert locales where earth-tones predominate, bright contrasting paint colors can energize structures that might otherwise look drab.

Wherever it is used, bright paint color also has psychological impact. Just looking at it can elevate the spirit and improve our outlook. . . powerful stuff, indeed!

That’s not to say that quiet and subtle paint and stain color can’t be just as pretty. In fact, the real beauty of the extensive color palettes available today is that you can create virtually any effect you desire: bold and bright, or tastefully understated. When it comes to exterior paint color schemes, beauty is truly in the eyes of the beholder, as can be seen in the wide array of entries in this year’s search for the Prettiest Painted Places in America!

PPP – 3rd 50 entries:

Abingdon, VA
Adams Community, IA
Alexandria (Old Town), VA
Anderson (Downtown), SC

Bastrop (Historic Downtown), TX
Boonville, MO
Brookings, SD

Cambridge, OH
Charleston, WV
Cheraw (Historic District), SC
Coquille, OR
Crested Butte, CO

Decorah, IA
DeLand, FL
DeQuincy, LA

Ellicottville, NY
Elsah (Village), IL
Eureka, CA

Frederick (Downtown), MD

Geneva, IL
Graham, TX
Grinnell, IA
Guthrie, OK

Hastings, MN
Howard City, MI

Jackson, WY
Joseph, OR

Kailua (Island of Oahu), HI

Lead, SD
Leavenworth, WA

Malone, NY
Manassas (Old Town), VA
Midway, UT
Millersburg (Historic Downtown), OH
Milton, DE
Mystic (Downtown), CT

NorthWest Crossing, OR

Port Townsend, WA

Red Lodge, MT
Richmond, IN
Ridgway, PA
Ronceverte, WV

Seneca Falls, NY
Statesville, NC
Stillwater, MN
St. Michaels, MD
Stowe, VT

Taos, NM
Tubac, AZ

Vashon-Maury Island, WA