As we start transforming our new home, I have an abundance of things that I am beyond excited to share from our last home. I saved a few gems for these not-so-Pinterest-pretty times! One that I am particularly excited to share, is how we chose our traditional Colonial exterior paint colors & used it to give the house a completely different facade.
I’ll preface this – I’m a huge fan of shake cedar shingle siding. Unfortunately, I received an estimate for $36,000 to reside the house. Uh, no. I quickly moved onto paint & am so happy we did. I was conflicted with the brick. Normally, I would refrain from painting a brick exterior {unless whitewashed}, however, brown brick just screams dated to me. Okay, let’s get started…
Choosing paint colors can be difficult, okay, agonizing! I tend to overthink them & worry until the job is complete. In fact, I ended up selecting a completely different color than I originally intended. I just couldn’t part from traditional Colonial paint colors. Stark white wouldn’t work in the neighborhood where tan is the norm & grey isn’t a great fit because of the color of the roof. All things to take into consideration when selecting your paint color!
Here are a few more of my favorite tips for selecting exterior paint color:
- Use Lowe’s special light to see how it will look in direct daylight
- Talk to the staff – they see everything & are extremely knowledgeable
- Always test a few favorites – it can look different on a shingle than a card
- Have something you love? An outdoor pillow or any other accessory can be color matched. From there, you can go up or down a shade
- If you find a color you love from a paint store, have Lowe’s match it to get the look for less
Through your help on Instagram & the tips above, I selected Valspar Woodlawn Colonial Gray for the main exterior paint {6004-1B} & Valspar Dujor 7002-6 for the trim. I wanted a soft, creamy white to contrast. Not only was I happy with the paint palette…
the girls loved it, too! It just seemed the house should have been this color all along!
A couple details…the window planter boxes
and garden entrance.
My designer was unable to finish job due to a tragic emergency and I have a primed front door and garage door white to be put in and have nom idea about the color. I was actually looking at the exact same color thats how I found these pics. How do you really know as Im scared to choose and struggling
I recommend painting a swatch on each side of your home and seeing how it looks at morning, noon and night to confirm you love it!
We are facing the same dilemma with our lake house. It is an old brown farmhouse/cabin style home with a brown roof and red brick paver patio and walkways leading up to it. The brown cedar siding is in desperate need of a paint job….but just cannot figure out what color for the body. Leaning khaki as it is out in the country overlooking the lake, but part of me loves a lighter color too (just worried about how dirty it will get and how often we will have to power wash the house, which is not ideal).
Khaki sounds beautiful! I highly recommend painting a swatch to see what it looks like in full sun. Chances are it will appear much lighter and brighter than you imagine. I’d love to see when it’s done!
I am sorry but it will not let me email you. It says it is not sn email address. I have tried everything to send the pic of this house to you.
Any other ideas?
Thank you
julieblanner {at} me {dot} com
I just can’t spell it out directly or I’ll be subject to a slew of spam.
How can I send you a photo?
Thanks
Kim Smith
Email – just click contact under my photo to the right on my site. Thanks!
Hi Julie, your house is beautiful! I sent a request asking for your suggestions & as I read above I see I made a mistake. I have a standard rancher with clay vinyl siding only & white trim. Could you suggest a color or colors for doors and shutters please?
I’m out of town this week but send me a couple photos and I’ll be happy to oblige.
I would like your opinion please. I have a standard rancher, clay colored siding with white trim. I am looking for a great color for doors & shingles.
Thank you!
Can you send a photo? I would probably do a wood door and weathered wood shingles (Tamco color)
Hi! Stumbled across your blog and am so happy I did as my husband and I are moving into a new home and am in need of inspiration and tips! I absolutely love your home and style~ May I ask whether you had your house professionally painted or whether you and your husband did it on your own? Look forward to hearing from you!
-Gina
Thanks, Gina! We had it professionally painted. We had painted our previous home and decided it was more than worth paying a professional.
a lovely transformation and your family is adorable!!!!!!!!!
Thanks, Lina!
Hi Julie! I love your house transformation! What a difference a new paint color can make! I live in an old colonial house, too, and I also used Woodlawn Colonial Gray for my bathroom remodel. You can see it here on my blog:
http://keepthisendup.blogspot.com/2014/07/before-and-after-yellow-bathroom.html
Enjoy!
I love the transformation!
Thanks, Jewel! I miss it already!