Thank you Ciscomo, I guess I need to get some color samples to decide which color would work out best with the Dix Blue (which we love) but that is the range of colors we are thinking about. Thanks again for your help!!

jorjar -- here's a couple more photos of gray/taupe exterior colors. We'll just keep tossing things into the mix until we come up with your perfect color! :)

I'm still searching for the name of the exterior color in the top left photo. It's one of my favorite color combinations! It appears the top right photo is Sherwin Williams Mindful Gray.

Sandstone from ciscomo's color swatch is also a beautiful gray/taupe color.

Best of all -- taupe will work with Dix Blue.

Christi, on behalf of Thos. Baker

Thanks Christi, I had the photo on the top right saved in my idea book, I think I like the one on the left a little better. I think we will be going with taupe and Dix Blue for the door, just not sure how light or how dark we should go. Thank You again!!

jorjar -- I put the photos of the two homes above and the Dix Blue door next to the photo of your home and studied them carefully. Both would be beautiful, but I'm inclined to think that the darker color works a little bit better because it gives off a more "woodsy" feeling while still being much lighter than the current brown color on your home. Plus, it contrasts a little better with the Dix Blue door.

I'm posting the same photos side by side, so you can study them.

What do you think?

Christi, on behalf of Thos. Baker

I totally agree Christi!! We do want the darker color for the reason that you stated. I have seen so many colors and names, I forget what color is on the house on the lower right. This house is one of the first ones that I saved in my idea book. So you think that the Dix blue would work with that shade of gray? Thank you so much again Christi for helping me with this. I am very grateful!!

Do you think the backdrop would be too dark?

Depends on where it's located. Do you get snow? I didn't read through the comments. Sorry.

I've so enjoyed following your process -- love the direction you're heading :O).

Hi jorjar, get a quart of the backdrop and paint two coats onto something you can move around. I used old drywall. Or just go ahead and swatch away 2 coats on your house. You just won't be able to tell any other way. I tried Dover White, which has a definite yellow undertone and it was blindingly stark white on two sides of the house. I was flabbergasted!

The reason I ruled out backdrop was because we have a three story elevation on the driveway side of our (2005 build) farmhouse/barn and I was afraid it would look like a UPS warehouse, lol.

I looked all over the web for the color of that house on the right when I was deciding and as I recall, the builder who first posted it said he didn't know the color because it was a homeowner pick. Bring that image into your paint store and get help. Remember, you are trying to match the color you see on the screen anyways, NOT the actual color they used.

I ended up with a custom color as we worked to match an image I brought in and it is perfect! The red "off the shelf " color I had chosen after several lifetimes of trying colors, just didn't work in our lighting. It didn't matter how the chips looked or how the color looked in the visualizers.

My husband was "choose already!" but I am glad I kept working through choices. You will know the difference between, "yeah, that's pretty. That will work, I think?" and "OMG, when are we starting to paint!!". :))

Hi jorjar -- I couldn't locate the color of the house either, so I studied it by comparing it to colors on the Sherwin Williams website. It appears to be Sherwin Williams Mindful Gray. I posted the color swatch of SW Mindful Gray above, right next to the house, so you could see. I think they're very close. Of course, we have the disadvantage of how our computers portray color!

I would go to the paint store and ask them to make you samples of Mindful Gray and Backdrop and compare them. Considering how much paint you will be purchasing for the house and garage, they should be more than happy to help you with that!

The Dix Blue would definitely work with Mindful Gray. Maybe it's kismet that you picked that house and saved it in your ideabooks to begin with?!! It could be that it has been the right color choice for you all along!!

Christi, on behalf of Thos. Baker

Ciscomo, your husband sounds like mine, I am driving him crazy!! Lol ..he is almost ready to settle just to paint the door..but that's not going to happen..hehe...you are so right about what looks good on one house may not look the same on another due to lighting and other factors. I will do what you and Christi have suggested and get samples. I do want the Dix blue for the door, my husband really likes that or maybe he just picked it so that I would shut up!! Lol
Thank you both so very much for your opinions , it really helps me because I as you know, am not very good at these things..will keep you updated!!

Adivra,, just saw your comment, sorry, yes we do get snow, last year quite a lot!! It was beautiful.
Ohrelax, just saw your post as well..Thank you..I will definitely post pictures as we go..

jorjar -- your husband will appreciate how hard you've worked on comparing colors once he sees the sensational results! Do not be dissuaded from your mission! Your team is here and we'll stay the course with you! :)

Christi, on behalf of Thos. Baker

Hi Christi!! Well, I ordered a sample of the Dix Blue and of course, David doesn't like it, said it was too light blue. Also, now he is thinking more gray green for the house color instead of backdrop which has more brown. Do you have any suggestions for a gray green color. He kind of likes Anonymous, still not what he is looking for. This has been exhausting!! Lol

I like your idea of gray/green in a wooded area like yours. Here is a link to possible color pallets. http://www.behr.com/consumer/colors/paint# Try one of the colors on the bottom right side and the next darker color for window and door trim. I think you could still keep your current color on the door.

Thank you nramsey1, going there now!!

Hi jorjar -- I'm sorry to hear David doesn't like the Dix Blue. Does it look anything like the one in the photo or is it completely different? Picking the perfect color isn't always an easy process, but it's an important one. Paint isn't cheap and you can't return it if you hate the end result! Don't be discouraged -- we'll continue with ideas until something feels just right for you guys!

Before I post further, I want to add that I live in Hawaii and right now we have 2 hurricanes approaching, so if I don't participate in this thread for a few days, it's because we have lost power. I'm just hoping it won't be the roof! :)

So, here are some green/gray colors for you to compare. There are numerous shades and hues, so for starters, I'll make a couple of recommendations for you.

Let's start with the top left photo and pair it with a paint color. You like that one earlier. It's a lighter gray/green. The photo to the right of it is Sherwin Williams Comfort Gray, which is a very close proximity to the color of that house.

Now, I'll pair the bottom left photo with a paint color. The color on this home is a little darker, but it's a very attractive shade of gray/green. I'm pairing it with Sherwin Williams Oyster Bay, which looks to be a close match.

Discuss these two shades of gray/green with David and see what he says!

Christi, on behalf of Thos. Baker

Thank you so much Christi for responding with all that you have going on!!! I will show these to David , I really like the bottom shade of green!! Christi, be safe!!!! Prayers for you, your family and everyone on the Islands!!

This is Benjamin Moore Camouflage. Are you thinking you want people to think "green" when they see the house or "gray"? The thing about this color is there is also a brown undertone which might work with your roof.




Christi, I will be glued to the weather channel. Keep safe!

I forgot my favorite green gray: Benjamin Moore Paris Rain. It has nothing to do with the name, I'm sure, lol. I remembered when I saw it here. The four colors are all Ben Moore. Top are Croquet and Aganthus Gray. Bottom is Paris Rain and Tree Moss.


Both of these photos show Ben Moore Gray Owl OC-52 which most everyone agrees is a gray with a green tint. It might be worth a look, if you're thinking more gray than green.

Thank you for your prayers jorjar -- we'll surely need them, as we're bracing for a rough ride over the next few days. I'll be very relieved when I can get back to Houzz and back to my regularly scheduled programming!

Christi, on behalf of Thos. Baker

Christi, sending good thoughts your way -- keep safe! Also, thanks so much for sending the info re: posting pictures; I'll give it a try. Aloha.

Hi jorjar, I just realized I tried Oyster Bay! It was much lighter than I expected, almost white. I'm starting to wonder if the paint store I used at first was screwing up formulas.

Thanks Ciscomo, I like all of the colors you suggested and the Oyster Bay, but I am afraid they will all be too light for this style of house, trying to find something darker in the same range color. You are right about using a color with a brown undertone because of the roof .the roof in brown with tiny flecks of green ,blue and dark orange/red,, also with moss all over! Lol

Hi jorjar -- still here! One hurricane down and one more to go. Looks like your prayers helped! :)

Have got a couple more color swatches to send you -- darker colors in shades of gray/green that might be along the lines of what you're looking for. A brown roof is versatile and will work with any shade of green/gray, so not to worry about that. Don't give yourself more to think about than is necessary!

In the multi-color swatch photo -- I'm looking at three gray/green colors on the right as potential contenders: Magnetic Gray, Unusual Gray and Attitude Gray.

The top right color swatch is Sherwin Williams Unusual Gray -- a very pretty gray/green! The bottom left is Benjamin Moore Cos Cob Stonewall -- a little more green hue to it. The bottom right is Benjamin Moore November Rain -- also has a bit more green hue.

Christi, on behalf of Thos. Baker

Here's more info on Sherwin Williams Magnetic Gray. It might be lighter than what you're thinking of going for, but it's a lovely color. Definitely a gray/green with a subtle tint of blue. As you can see on the photos of the homes, it goes great with a brown roof or a gray roof.

Will just keep plugging along until you and David feel certain of your color direction!

Christi, on behalf of Thos. Baker

Like as it is.

Farrow and Ball Green Smoke. Reminds me of the Benjamin Moore Cos Cob Stonewall that Christi posted.

Christi, I am so glad you are safe!! I love the Cob Stonewell and do feel the magnetic gray is too light. We got a sample of SW Backdrop tonight and also a Behr color I think it was smoky trout and painted a board with both..that makes about 8 sample colors in counting!! Haha..and Ciscomo, the Green Smoke is the color that I have decided I want for the door..you read my mind!! Thank you Line Box Studio, we are just ready for a change!! I very much appreciate all your help!!!

I think my husband and I have made a decision. I would like to hear from all my decorators lol, to tell me if they think that would look nice. We have decided on SW Smokehouse for the house and Farrow&Ball Green Smoke. I see a Smoke theme..lol.

I've always called that green Ozark Blue because you find it on old country homes all over the Ozarks. Was apparently a repellent for insects like dirt daubers. Find it on trim, ceilings and under stairs too. These are in my ideabook titled Ozark Blue

Beautiful!!! It looks about the same color as green smoke, I will check that color out as well. Thank you for your ideas and help!! I need it!! Lol

My husband is outside on a 35 foot aerial lift, finishing our house painting right at this minute. The professional painter did everything but the 30 foot gable area and adjoining eaves. Then he chickened out, lol. Oh, my husband also had to take care of the hornet's nest the painter discovered on the back gable. I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed distracting myself from this by focusing on your color scheme!

I love the idea of the Smokehouse and Green Smoke! Tell me why Smokehouse over Backdrop? I don't disagree, just wondering. It's a gorgeous color.

Oh, I LOVELOVELOVE this! :D Please post before and after images when it's done! I can't imagine a single color that wouldn't look amazing on this home! :)

Hi jorjar! So you made a decision! I love F&B's Green Smoke. Will that be for the trim and the front door... or just the front door?

As to Smokehouse -- I know this has been an arduous process for you, so the last thing I want to be is discouraging, but I can't help but ask why you chose dark brown when, at the beginning, you wrote that you were tired of dark brown?

I compared Smokehouse to Backdrop and while they're both brown, Backdrop is a little lighter and has a nice gray tint to it. If you're going to stay with brown, I feel I would be remiss if I didn't tell you that Backdrop is a prettier shade of brown and would look nicer with Green Smoke.

But the most important thing is that you and David are happy with the color, so if you love Smokehouse, then I will most definitely cheer you on!

Christi, on behalf of Thos. Baker

Thank you all for your support and ideas, we are so nervous about the change, David doesn't mind it just staying the same and just changing the door color and he is agreeing to paint to make me happy. If mama ain't happy, nobody's happy!! Lol anyway we were making our decision out of fear. My husband thought the backdrop was not dark enough, we want it to still look rustic and not like a house in the suburbs. We have not purchased the paint yet but we are going to today because SW has paint 35% if you think that backdrop would look better we may give that another consideration. This is a big decision for me because I don't want to have regrets and disappoint my husband because I wanted a change. Thank you again to my wonderful supporters!!!

I love the color of the lake house that decoenthusiaste posted, but I know that is just weathered wood.

sage green!! paint the window frames a darker sage and keep the red door. green keeps it rustic and "in nature".

Well the paint has been purchased!! Going with Backdrop for the house and Green Smoke for the doors. Thank you to everyone for your ideas and support through this whole process. I am a little afraid but I'm sure it will look great!! Just a big change! Will post pictures as we go if anyone is interested!! Thank you specially to Christi and Ciscomo for helping me through this whole decision making ordeal land everyone else for their imput!! You are right Christi when the colors of backdrop and smokehouse are side by side, backdrop is a prettier shade!! Wish me luck!!!!

Thank you too Shannon, we had already decided but I appreciate your input!

Bravo!

I think your color choices are perfect. All the best and thanks for your good humor and open mindedness. I hope you and your husband love the new colors!

Hi jorjar. Yes, please post photos of your progress -- I'm looking forward to seeing them! I also think your color choices are perfect and will be beautiful! It's been a pleasure sharing in this creative process with you and I'm wishing you and David all the best. Keep us posted!

Christi, on behalf of Thos. Baker

So, has painting been completed? Would love to see the outcome.

Jorjar, Yes, it would be so good to hear from you!

Hi guys!! Yes it is all finally finished!!! Yeah!!! Here is a picture

It looks different in different lighting

We had to paint the trim on the windows a shade darker..Griffin because the aluminum siding was darker than the backdrop paint and it really stood out. The Griffin is almost the same exact color of the siding.

Hi jorjar. Welcome back! Wow, it turned out great! Are you happy with it? Do you like how Green Smoke looks on the door? I think it's lovely! I'm a little confused as to what happened with the trim, but overall, the colors are modern, the place looks terrific and the most important thing is that the two of you are happy with the outcome!

Christi, on behalf of Thos. Baker

jorjar, just saw this and I LOVE it! The house fits into its surroundings so well. As Christi said, you updated the house beautifully. We painted this summer, too, isn't it great to have it behind you?