Which One of These Do You Like Best?

Sunday, April 15, 2012

On March 3 of this year we had a strong thunderstorm that moved over our area and left lots of damage behind.  I was home during the storm and when the sky turned green and the wind started howling, we headed to the corner of our basement that's windowless and completely underground.  Although the tornado missed our house, we had enough hail damage to make a claim to our insurance company to replace the roof. Because of this incident, we've now focused our attention on the exterior of our house.  I had planned all along to paint the brick, but now I have to start narrowing down the color selections because I think we'll go ahead and paint the exterior when we get the roof done.  


This is where you come in.  I've put together a few colors that I'm thinking about and hoping you can help me pick a favorite.


Here's what the house looks like now.  The brick is pinkish and the shutters are burgundy. This must be changed.
You should also know that the front of the house faces north and there is little to no direct sunlight on the front of the house most of the day.  Also, with all options the trim will be painted white.


1.  With this option, the brick will be painted a chalky white (Benjamin Moore Gray Mist) with light gray shutters (Benjamin Moore Cumulus Cloud) and a light turquoise for the front door(Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue) .  I like this palette because it's light and there's not much contrast, which I think will make my little house look bigger.

2.  With this option, the grays are more greige (Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray and Briarwood) and the front door goes coral (Benjamin Moore Bird of Paradise). I like the warmer tones of the grays with this option and the unexpected shot of coral.

3. The third and final option is a somewhat darker with more contrast. The body color is a gray/blue/green (Benjamin Moore Boothbay Gray) with black shutters and a yellow front door. 

So which is your favorite?  Do you have any other suggestions?  I'm all ears!

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43 comments:

Jackie Phelps said...

definitely option 1. reminds me of some colors we're doing at the Vance house. so glad you're painting the brick...I love painted brick!

Anonymous said...

Yes, option #1. Light, airy, smart and charming. A French flair. Would you be putting on a roof in the weathered driftwood tones? Some new landscaping - boxwood hedging? Please post the 'after' pictures. Good luck.

Cathy

A Whole Lotta Magic said...

L

A Whole Lotta Magic said...

Ooops!

Like them all!

S
xo

Fabulously Blairsville said...

I like the light grey in # 2 with the black and yellow of #3. But they are all great Lolly

Lisa @ Shine Your Light said...

I like all the color combinations you are choosing from but #2 is my fave. I have Edgecomb Gray in my house and think it's the perfect greige - and love it paired with that pop of coral!

L.Duncan@Home23DuncanBoys said...

I would choose 1 and add more color with flowers:)

alison giese Interiors said...

I'm going to go against the majority (and probably not help your decision) but I actually really like the higher contrast of the gray with black. I don't know that I'd do a yellow door, for fear of it looking bumble bee-ish, but I'm just kinda loving the boldness of it.
Do the doors with a high-gloss black, but find some uh-ma-zing brass hardware.
Just me ;)

jeanette from everton terrace said...

Like #1 and #3 the best with a slight edge to #1, or maybe #3 :)

Splendid Sass said...

My voice is #2! Love them all, but this is my favorite.
Happy Monday, Kim.
Teresa
xoxo

Whitney said...

That is a hard one. I love the colors in #1 but I think the spa blue/turqouise color is starting to down-trend and you might be wanting to change your door in a few years.

On that note, I LOVE #2. It stays light and airy with a great punch of coral-- a nod to the traditional red door, but definitely more unique!

I like #3, but I fear that it will be too heavy and make the home look "squatty".

Can't wait to see what you do!

Hannah said...

I like number 3 but I would do an emerald green door! or black and keep it pretty monochromatic!


Champagne Lifestyle on a Beer Budget

Anonymous said...

This was a tough one! I'm going to say I love #2 with the pnch of coral!

Kerry Steele- Design du Monde said...

Before I even got to option #1 I was thinking I hope she does a gray with black shutters and a bold front door. I think #3 is the way to go. It reminds me of a classic outfit with a sassy purse.

Karin said...

Your house kind of reminds me of designer Lauren Ross' old house in Houston. It is painted brick with a copper canopy over the door: http://cotedetexas.blogspot.com/2009/07/lauren-ross-beginning.html

My vote is for #2. Have you considered ditching the shutters?

Interior Design Musings said...

So fun to make a change like this!! I love the idea of #2 and ditto Karin on editing the shutters (they feel a bit thin). Without them, the windows will seem larger. I would use that darker tone on the windows (instead of on the shutters) as the trim color, painting the entire inset the darker color to make them read bigger. This will also make the arch over the windows stand out (it's very pretty). Also, I would think about changing out the front doors to a 6 or 8 light three quarter french door. The door change alone would completely transform the look. Last thing, I would paint the inset walls next to the front door your base house color rather than a light trim color. This will make the front of the house feel bigger. If you decide to get new doors, I would stain them spiced brown. Hope that helps and doesn't confuse the issue more! M.

Carrie @ Hazardous Design said...

I'm usually a huge fan of gray houses with white trim & black shutters (and especially that pop of yellow), but I think option # 1 is better suited for your house. The lighter colors will make it stand out and appear larger. What color will you select for the roof?

The Vintique Object said...

Well, what a coincidence. I just this morning painted samples on our trim because our landlords are letting us pick the new trim color! I guess I'll have a post like this coming soon too!

I think the choices depend on whether you are going for classic or updated traditional. I have to say, that I really like the yellow door and the contrast with the black shutters, but that feels very updated trad. Where as the first pallete feels perfectly classic.

That wasn't much help was it? Would also love to know what you plan to do shingle-wise!

The Vintique Object said...

P.S. The exterior of your home is awesome and is going to look SOOOO good painted. I can already picture it!
Camille

Elizabeth @ The Little Black Door said...

#3! High contrast always works great outside. Great choices!

Kendall said...

Hey Kim! Out of these 3 options I definitely prefer #1. But...I love the classic feeling of a white house. Maybe consider that option, too?

Karena said...

Kim I love the contrast of a bold color on the front door, and the color palette in #2 is gorgeous!

I have a $100 Gift Card Giveaway from Soft Surroundings if you would like to enter!!

xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena

Fran said...

Wow, these are all good options. So hard to choose, but I'm leaning towards #1. I just like white brick houses and I do agree that it'll make it feel larger. And, w/northern sun the darker options might be too dark?? Just my thoughts - how fun!! Can't wait to see what you decide!

Carol@6WilsonBlog.com said...

This is tough! I truly love all the combos. I think my vote is 3. But I agree w someone above about the door being black. Then I would do yelllow flowers in black urns. The house is stately. I think it needs the stately color. One more thought. The outside sets the tone for the inside. Which works best with your interior, and what color door flows with the inside best? I think that's super important.

Ashley said...

Gee, go and make it difficult for us, Kim...! I really like the high contrast with option #3 (but maybe the door in black rather than yellow?), but I do think #2 is a step towards more subdued, but still has enough contrast with the dark gray. And did I miss it: what color will the new roof be? I think that needs to be factored in.

This is all very exciting!

Amy@BuffaloRoam said...

I love the colors of #3.. Think they'd be so bold and beautiful on your home!

Glad you're ok.. I'm in Kansas and they said we had 127 tornados touch down that night! Scary..

Unknown said...

Hi Kim,
So sorry about all your crazy weather! glad you all are ok.
I like choice # 2! I love a coral door, and years from now when you're tired of that you can just repaint the door only! ..good luck ! I know this is a tough decision.
Nancy
Powellbrowerhome.com

Cris Angsten said...

I think I like the second one, though I can't really decide between it and the first one. Both are lovely. The first is soft, the second has that unexpected hit of color that I think would relate well to the colors inside the house, based on what we've seen so far!

SHERRY HART said...

Oh good Lord....this is quite the decision. I am loving #1. BUT...the reason I did not paint my house those light colors is that they get so dirty quickly.....So...just a thought..BM csp 95 sea salt for the body and trim. The windows: BM csp 115 barnwood. No shutters...and maybe the door painted a spring green like BM csp 830 peaceful garden.
Are you totally confused now???? Just thought I would throw in my 2 cents!

Unknown said...

Yay for insurance $$ from storms! All 3 are beautiful combos, but I am leaning towards the 2nd grouping. Lots of great advice in these comments, especially to consider your interior colors when choosing the exterior. What is the roof color? Also, have you tried Sherwin Williams gadget where you can upload a photo and play around with paint colors? That helped me choose a color for my front door a year ago. Can't wait to see what you choose!

Taylor Greenwalt said...

I think I would like to see number 3. I like the contrast and how sophisticated it would be. Plus if you got sick of the yellow door you could paint it any color. It would go with everything.

Unknown said...

All the options are great. My fave is #1.

Sanity Fair said...

Number 2 - I'm feeling that apricot color!

Erin said...

Lordy me, you have a lot of opinions here... tough to decide!

I like #2. If you don't get a lot of sun, then a super light color may look dingy. I think a warm neutral with darker shutters plus a peppy door color is perfect.

And I would LOVE to paint the brick on your house. Yuck!

Karen said...

#1 is my favorite, you can't go wrong with white and changing the look later is as easy as changing out the door color.

oldhousesrock said...

#1 - blah
#2 - blah
#3 - Yes please!

casey at loft and cottage said...

I love 1 and 2, but lean more towards 2--the door could use that pop!

Anonymous said...

I agree with the commentor who asks what color the root will be. I might like #3 best as a color combo but don't see it working with a red roof as well as the other choices. Vote for #1, which is beautiful and classic.

Dayka Robinson said...

i like contrast & drama, so my vote is for #2 & #3 (or something like #3 with a different palette). i LOVE your front door!!

Sharon@house58blog.com said...

I vote #2! Seems more like you from what I have seen. Love the combo.

Sherri Cassara said...

My house is painted Briarwood. Not the whole house - just the wood siding. I really love the color and it goes well with our creamy stonework. My trim is super white. I like a high contrast. My vote for your house is #1. I also love the idea of a black door or a yellow door. What is nice about option 1 is you can change the front door and get a whole new look!

Anne-Marie @ 10 Rooms said...

I like any of the options with a coral front door, because it references the colour of your roof. If you go cool for the main colour, it will really bring out the orange tones of the roof, and if you go warmer, it will subdue the colour of the roof. It really depends which option you like better :)

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