I'm not much help on exterior paint choices but my first thought upon seeing your porch roof is that there are lots of nooks and crannies to keep clean up there -- not a task I'd relish! For that reason I would avoid a light color there. If you feel the trim is too dark for that spot, perhaps you could use a slightly lighter tint of the olive to give a fresh feel and lighten it up a bit without creating a maintenance headache. I'm always surprised how many little bug droppings and such accumulate on the underside of our porch roof. Good luck with your project. I admire the way you're carefully thinking it all out before you get started!

Lazygardens-I didn't even think about that, but you're right. There are currently two bird nests up there, and lots of droppings.
Maybe the body color at 50% then?

(I'm actually the other "lazy"!) Now that I look at your post again, is the providence olive the color that's painted on to the stucco in the sample? If so, that doesn't seem too dark to me for underside of roof. I'd go with it full strength. Our siding is mid-grey and we used the same color under the eaves. I'm happy with it. I do like the colors you've chosen very much.

Oops-so sorry! I read it correctly and then just mistyped. The planned body color is that top color on the stucco. I'm worried it will be all too uniform if I use the same color on the roof. You don't think so?

I have absolutely no expertise here, just opinions, but I'll reply to bring your thread back up to the top!

Even if you went with the same color for the roof underside as the stucco, I assume you'd use a different product -- a trim paint in a slightly higher sheen for the roof. This would make it look a bit different, anyway. But sure, I can see why you'd like to go even a bit lighter for the roof underside. Why not, since (I now realize) you'd be buying a different product anyway. I wouldn't go much lighter, though. I'd ask the paint guys for advice.

Are you still thinking you are going to take off the carport and put on a larger porch down the line? I seem to remember you had some drawings of a Spanish style front.

I think a light brown would look good on the trim, with your stucco color and brown door. The olive green isn't tying it all together.

Marti-great memory! I would love to remove carport, but I doubt it will happen. It would require replacing entire roof, redoing the rooflines of the entire facade, basically a lot of work that likely wouldn't pay off in the long run. I'm planning on painting the stucco, trim, and door (will eventually replace door, but for now..). Do you like the olive green for the exterior, or you think a lighter color like there currently is would be better?

lazydaisynot-good point about the different sheen. I'll have to run up to the paint store tomorrow and see what they say. Maybe just a shade lighter than body color. Don't think I want it all dark like the trim, like it is now.

So a different idea paint the main part of the ceiling the house color then the cross beams the trim color.

If you are not planing to use it as a carport you could put a privacy screen across the front and use that space as an out door room. The roof will provide free shade.

Yes, I remember you posting photos when you were buying the house. I didn't realize you wanted to paint the stucco olive. At first I would have said no, but then I like the stucco color the way it is now, but with a lighter brown/tan than is on it now.

But then I searched Houzz to see what a house would look like with a red roof and green paint and found the below photo and I really like it. They even have a porch similar to yours.

{{gwi:21688}}

[Traditional Exterior[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-exterior-home-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_736~s_2107) by Moorestown General Contractors Canton Custom Homes

Is the current stucco actually painted or is it pigmented? If its pigmented I would consider not painting it instead just get it power washed - painted stucco takes a lot of paint and more maintenance... Then just change the trim colors.

CLBlakely-I actually like that idea very much. I'm going to try to mick it up tonight on computer. I thought about putting up a privacy screen across front, but it would then block the sunlight from coming into that window.

Marti-I'm amazed you remember that! I need to post pics of some of the projects we've done so far. I'm pleased with the progress we've made-although there's still a long way to go! The color I am envisioning would not be quite so green, I think, but yes, similar idea. I've seen some houses around here with similar schemes and I like them.

Tinan-I'm pretty sure it is the tinted stucco. It's kind of a stopgap measure until we can get new stucco-hopefully in the next 5 years. A lot of homes here paint the stucco. I didn't realize it requires more maintenance though.

Yes painted stucco - first of all it takes a LOT more paint to cover than siding, for example. So factor that into the cost. And once you paint the stucco, it peels and requires repainting every few years, and you can't power-wsh it without damaging paint (stucco accumulates dust and dirt).

If you are planning on new stucco, I'd consider leaving it this color and having it power washed, then put the money saved on painting it towards the new stucco sooner. Paint the trim, for sure - I like the colors you have chosen, or do the olive on the trim!

We painted a stucco house years ago I know it was less than 10 gallons (pretty sure we bought 2- 5 gallon pails) I put on 2 coats with a roller. Our neighbour used a sprayer but the roller had a more solid look. I went back and drove by the house and it still looked great. Sold house in 2000 went back in 2006. We also did not have california type stucco we had the old blow on glass rock kind. The first coat I lost a lot of rocks and had to tap the roller often to get them off. The second coat was a breeze. I would do it again if I had a stucco house.

tinan said:
"Yes painted stucco - first of all it takes a LOT more paint to cover than siding, for example. So factor that into the cost. And once you paint the stucco, it peels and requires repainting every few years, and you can't power-wsh it without damaging paint (stucco accumulates dust and dirt)."

I wasn't going to comment, but I would hate for someone to make a major home improvement decision based on this response. From my experience here in California, all of tinan's comments about stucco are inaccurate and the opposite of what I have seen in person.

Obviously everyone's experience varies. A decision to paint is more costly than a discussion to clean and not to paint a d to save the money for replacing the stucco sooner. There does not appear to be anything wrong with the cream color it is now especially as it goes well with the reddish brown. Roof. The OP and everyone else can do what they want, I'm no expert just offering my opinion based in my experience and what I would do if it was my home. Should I add a disclaimer to my posts like "JMHO"?

Tinan-perhaps the stucco here in So. cal is different than where you live? Or the environment factors in? I don't know, but many people here do paint their stucco homes. I understand what you are saying about just saving up for new stucco, but I thought that paint would have the biggest bang for my buck on helping the exterior appearance of my home.

Chispa-hi! I'm using the guy you recommended. He's excellent. :-)

The painters are here and I'm so very pleased!
I just have to select a color for front door.

Here are a few pics:

I opted to go with the house color at 50% for the roof here:

Old vs new:

Here is a shot with the trim color. Door is still the old trim color:

I feel like my phone is washing out the color, I'll take better ones once its finished.

I'm thinking deep red for door.

What about a deep orange? Something leaning towards red.

I'm sure it will look great painted... I was just thinking it was a lot of expense if you plan to rip it off in a few years... But I totally understand wanting to love the house now and not wait!

Fluffeebiskits-I was thinking g about a dark orange too! DH vetoed it on principle, as he hates orange (rival University's color. Old habits die hard...).

Tinan- no worries, I totally get where you were coming from. I appreciate all help and input, even things I didn't ask for. :)

So the house is done and I'm pleased. I selected a red for the front door that changes from orange ish to pinkish, depending on light. I don't love it, but we plan to get a new front door eventually so I'm not too bothered.

I had the garage and the side workshop door painted the body color, and I think it helps minimize both.

Next up is landscaping, lighting, and figuring out what to do with that 'carport' space.

Thank you for all your advice and input. Always appreciated.

Looks so much better! Love the red door!!!