Poor Ryan.
I think I could start almost any home renovation story off with those two words. Because he’s a saint, you guys. For real.
I’m typically incredibly confident when it comes to choosing paint color. I have painted a lot and have learned to trust my instincts. And in all our houses, there has only been one color I actually hated and had to repaint. (I’m not the type of person who typically repaints in the time we live in a house.)
All that to say, I usually bring home a couple of samples, commit, and move on.
But for the exterior of our new home? No such luck.
Not only have I agonized over this decision for MONTHS. I also have at least 13 sample pots of colors from Behr. Ryan basically told me that he cannot talk about paint colors anymore. To this point, he has pretty much told me that every color looks great. (Except for the standard farm house white. But that’s another story for another day.)
The worst thing is that the color options are ALL OVER THE BOARD. I mean, I started with mid grieges, then moved to aquas, lighter blue/greens, whites and slates. There is absolutely no consensus. I thought I’ve made a decision and then I retract said decision. I cannot stop asking people what they think. I cannot stop pinning. I cannot stop.
I’m sorry if you’ve been in the same room with me over the past month. I can talk about nothing except what color to paint the house.
But we are coming down the wire. The house is being shingled this week and I chose a roof based on my color selection. And I think I sort of decided on the siding. So I’m pretty much locked in.
Siding: Behr MARQUEE Magnet| Trim: Behr Ultra Pure White | Windows: Pella Black Fiberglass |Door/Shutters: Behr Antique Red and/or MARQUEE Cascade Green | Roof: Owens Corning Duration
The most hilarious part is that Ryan and I both love houses that are dark grey/slate. But once we ordered black windows, we worried that it would be too dark. So we went another direction. Or about a dozen other directions.
But with all the white trim/railings/windows, I think it should have plenty of contrast. And while magnet is dark, it’s lighter than other options.
I also used the Paint Your Place tool on Behr’s website to see how it would look together – first I used one of the images in the gallery. This gave me a chance to see the color with trim/shutters.
I also uploaded our mockup to see the color on the house. The problem is that this image is horrible! I already messed around with it when we decided to change the door/window placement. So it looks a little wonky. But it gives me a bit of an idea of the color all over without me having to learn to use Photoshop. (The horror.)
In other news, I think I’ve changed my mind on the front porch. So now, we are planning to make the front porch the full width of the house. It just seems right.
Ryan is truly dealing with a crazy woman. Because I’ve changed my mind on almost everything I said was a nonnegotiable – centered front door, french front door, no front porch …
But it will all work out in the end. Right? Right?
(P.S. You can also check out Behr MARQUEE Magnet used in my fellow DIY experts homes – Christina at The Frugal Homemaker used it in her master bedroom and Mandy at Sugar Bee Crafts chose it for the siding on her beautiful new home.)
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Christina @The Frugal Homemajer says
I think Behr Marquee in Magnet would be perfect for the siding! I would do either a red or Aqua door and black shutters and white trim! Just looked on Pinterest and saw several like that. I LOVE dark colored craftsman style houses with white trim!
Kim Woodward says
Thanks! I think it’s finally coming together!
Donna says
So glad to hear you are extending the front porch!! I was going to suggest it when you had asked a time ago, but my computer went down and I am just now getting back. It will look like a real country home with a welcoming porch to sit and spend some time.
Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication says
I absolutely love the colors you chose! They are going to look amazing! And I totally think that the full length front porch is the way to go! I wish our little porch was bigger.
Robyn Proctor Hinkle says
I feel like finding the perfect exterior colors would be so hard. For one thing you don’t typically change it as much as you would change the color in your dining room or bedroom. Love your picks!!!
Kayla AKA Kilo Bravo says
I’m sure it was discussed at some point on the blog – did you guys ever discuss what the material would be on the outside? You are painting, so I assume wood. We are trying to make decisions now to put up new vinyl siding (do we do typical horizontal or the faux shake??? I think for maintenance purposes we are set on vinyl now), as well as trying to figure out a color palette. I love the dark grays and blues that are popular right, now, but there is a ton of new construction in the area and that is what all the builders are doing too. I want to be classic, but I would also like to stand out a little bit! Decisions decisions!
Kim Woodward says
We are doing an engineered wood siding. We actually purchased the siding when a local lumberyard was moving and it was almost 70 percent off (if I remember correctly). We have had it for over a year at this point. While we will still have to paint and maintain, it should have less maintenance than wood but still have that look. We’ll see.
Joi says
I don’t think you can go wrong with that dark gray! Classic in my opinion!
Amber @ Wills Casa says
Antagonize this decision!! Repainting our exterior is like number 1 on the list of things to do because I hate (HATE!!!) our exterior color choices. Terrible. We did not think enough about it. I would change so much if I would have considered everything-roof, windows, etc – from the beginning. Not sure if any of this makes you feel better, but you can rest in knowing all of your obsessing is totally justified. Get it right the first time and Ryan will be so glad he doesn’t have to repaint it! 😉
Kim Woodward says
The real question is, am I going to regret this color? Where’s my crystal ball?
Nikki says
I really like your choices! You did great!
Exterior colors are so much harder to commit to. I feel ya!
Debbie says
I’m normally quiet but I’ll jump in since my house is sided and painted much the same as yours will be.
For reference we have a Craftsman bungalow w/ dark grey roof and siding, white windows w/wide white trim and a full front porch, also white. I’ve used both of the trim colors that you have posted only the blue was a bit darker. By far the color that’s gotten the best response is the red. It pops much better against the dark grey. The blue seemed to wash out and look blah against the grey. Hope that helps.
Kim says
Thank you so much for sharing. I think the red is probably the better choice for us, too – it will tie in well with the barn. And we have always had a red front door so I think keeping that consistent could be fun. Happy to hear you like the color on your own home.
Katrina says
I have no doubt, its going to look fantastic! And totally agree a big front porch is a must!
Kim says
Thanks! It means a lot coming from you.
Jennifer W. says
Yay! I love front porches. and the colors are great! Classic but not boring. Just lovely.
Kim says
Thank you so much!!
Katja | Shift Ctrl Art says
This is so exciting.. I wish I had been in a room with you in the last month. I have opinions 🙂
So I didn’t get – did you stay with black windows or did you change them to white? Or will the windows be black, but the trim white?
Love that you are taking the porch all across the front. That is going to be amazing!!
Kim says
We are staying with the black windows but with chunky white trim (which was the original plan).
I wish I could have sat down with you and got your opinions during this. Hard to believe it’s been a year since we had a chance to hang out.
Cheryl @ The Creative Me and My McG says
We are getting ready to paint our home “mined coal” from Benjamin Moore that we had color matched to Sherwin Williams paint. It’s a dark grey as well. We are keeping the trim white and our roof is black. Painting should begin this week…I am keeping my fingers crossed that it looks good. I love the accent colors you chose, I am still debating on those but am leaning toward a burnt orange color for the doors. Can’t wait to see how yours turns out!
Kim says
Thanks, Cheryl! Yours sounds great, too!
Liz @ It's Great to Be Home says
Great decision to extend the front porch! How could that be a bad idea? (It can’t.)
Kim says
Well, I was originally against it because our last house had one and it blocked so much natural light. And we’ll have a huge covered porch on the back so it seemed unnecessary. It’s really mostly for aesthetics and I think the number of windows will make up for any lack of light.
cassie @ primitive & proper says
ooooh i love it!!!!!!!!! great choice!
Kim says
Thanks!!