Go light or dark with exterior paint?

8 years ago

We live in the Bay Area in CA. Most houses in my neighborhood are older and look like this. Ours is stucco all around, single storey with a black roof and red brick chimney. I can’t decide on paint colors for our exteriors.
Here are some colors that caught my eye -
BM Kendall Charcoal
BM Newburg Green
SW Oyster Bay
SW Homburg Gray

Planning to paint the garage door and trim around garage and window , white.

We also have a brick wall along the patio by the entrance.

BM Kendall Charcoal

SW Oyster Bay

BM Newburg Green

SW Homburg Gray

Featured Answer

rld27
Original Author

7 years ago

Done! Knoxville Gray on the walls with White Dove

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Comments (17)

frenchtarragon
8 years ago
Darker....looks cleaner longer, which is particularly useful if you live in a part of the bay area that doesn't get rain for half the year.
redoredone
7 years ago
It is hard to tell colors accurately on a computer, but I'm wondering if Kendall Charcoal and Homburg Gray might be a little dark with your dark roof. But I still like more contrast than Oyster Bay. Something in between, maybe?
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rld27
Original Author
7 years ago
We got all 4 samples. Thinking of taking the plunge with Newburg Green. Going to paint the garage door and trim and soffit white (either BM-White Dove or BM-Steam). Hoping that will provide the contrast with using a dark paint for the body.
Nor
7 years ago
newberg green looks beautiful!!
PRO
Lori A. Sawaya
7 years ago
Thinking of taking the plunge with Newburg Green.

Yes, yes and yes. Newburg Green with white trim, it will be stunning.
rld27
Original Author
7 years ago
Drumroll... we picked none of these. Ended up choosing Knoxville Gray which is a shade lighter than Newburg Green. Pairing it with White Dove for the trim.The swatch looks pretty good (Knoxville Gray is #3, Newburg Green is #1)
rld27
Original Author
7 years ago
Actually I take it back. It’s more green gray and I love it.
emmarene9
7 years ago
Keep us posted.
Laura Mac
7 years ago
You work fast! Looks FANTASTIC!!!
Jason Drew
7 years ago
That is totally the color I would have chosen. Great look and the trim is spot on.
Carla Kemp
7 years ago
Turned out really nice!!! Quick question, what made you decide to paint the gutter the same color as body of house instead of the White Dove all around?
rld27
Original Author
7 years ago
Carla Kemp - our gutters are white dove. For the downspouts, it was either leave them their original white or just paint them the body color, and we decided to go for the more blended look. No strong preference tbh.
ShadyWillowFarm
7 years ago
I did my downspouts the same color of the house too. They are not exactly an architectural feature, no?
rld27
Original Author
7 years ago
Yup, exactly my thought.
PRO
Gialluisi Custom Homes
7 years ago
Love the final result! Great color choice, love how dark siding looks.

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Check out some of our projects at www.gialluisihomes.com
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Lori A. Sawaya
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
I did my downspouts the same color of the house too. They are not exactly an architectural feature, no?

Insider secret: that's usually how you can tell someone hired a color consultant. Color consultants always paint the downspouts so they blend in to the body.

It usually takes a color pro to push the homeowner and painters to paint them because people often believe that the factory finish is indestructible and will last forever - that downspouts never need painted. Of course, that's ridiculous.

Even factory finishes wear, get dinged by lawn tools, shovels, etc. You're gonna have to paint them at some point anyway. Might as well paint them now, so they look good now, so you can enjoy your house now. If prepped and painted properly, you're not going to have paint them any sooner than the rest of the house.

Life is too short to let white, brown or gray factory finish gutters and downspouts ruin the curb appeal!