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House Exterior Paint Refresh

Well, if the past month is indicative of how the rest of the Summer will go posting-wise then it may be sporadic until the end of August (when the kids go back to school)!  Thank you for bearing with me til then!!

l’ve had exterior paint and color schemes on my mind as of late because I am trying to decide if I should change my home’s exterior paint color.

Our home is 15 years old and it’s exterior paint has never been refreshed.  It is pretty dirty/dingy looking up close so a paint job is inevitable.

I don’t mind it’s current color which I would describe as a light/medium greige.

CURRENT COLOR

Our House Exterior June 2017

But if I’m going to paint the house I’m tempted to go white (because I love big, white houses and I cannot lie).

This one’s a favorite right now.

Favorite White House

via Pinterest

SHOULD I GO LIGHTER?

A photoshopped depiction of our home lighter.

Our Exterior in White

However I don’t think this is our forever home and my hunch is that more people would want to buy a light tan house than a white house…what is your opinion (please let me know your opinion in the comments)??

Curb appeal can be a deal breaker when selling a home!  If you’ve been following the blog for awhile you know I’ve been helping my friend, Lolly, makeover her home one room at a time.

Well, last Fall her husband lost his job.  Soon after her husband got a job offer in another state and they needed to sell their home as quickly as possible so their family could relocate (thankfully we had already made over their Laundry Room, Master Bedroom, Powder Bath, and Daughter’s Room).

But their home’s exterior was in need of some TLC before they could list it.  The main culprit was mismatched upper and lower shutter colors and just an overall meh (forgettable) appearance.

Lolly’s Exterior Before

Lolly's Exterior Before

I suggested going a deep, glossy chocolate brown on the shutters and front door and bright white (instead of tan) on the garage door.

In-Process Photos

Her husband bravely took the climb to paint the upper shutters.

Process Exterior Painting Pics

Lolly’s Exterior After

Lolly's Exterior After

It turned out so pretty and I’m happy to say it went into contract just 2 weeks after being put on the market (happy for them but sad to see a friend go).

If you are looking to paint your house but are not a big fan of white or tan exteriors consider a dark blue-ish gray color. A house in our neighborhood recently when from this tan color.

Before

PC Home Before

To blue!

After

PC Home After

I think their color palette choice was inspired by this other blue/gray exterior in our neighborhood

Blue Inspiration House

So what are your thoughts?  Should I go white or stay tan?  Are you crushing on any particular exterior color palettes right now?  Would love to hear your thoughts!

And for my fellow American readers I hope you have a happy and safe 4th of July!!:-)

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Comments

  1. janice62 says

    Saturday, July 1, 2017 at 1:40 am

    White

    Reply
    • Tamara says

      Saturday, July 1, 2017 at 8:39 am

      Thanks for your feedback, Janice!!

      Reply
  2. Calypso in the Country says

    Saturday, July 1, 2017 at 7:22 am

    I am pretty much obsessed with white houses and that inspiration photo is one of my favorites! I think if your house is in need of a paint job, then I would paint it the color you want. Even if it is not your forever home, you never know how long you will be there so you might as well be happy with the color every time you drive up! For resale, I would think a crisp clean white would appeal to buyers and it would be the easiest color to paint over if they wanted to. Good luck with your decision and have a wonderful weekend!
    Shelley

    Reply
    • Tamara says

      Saturday, July 1, 2017 at 8:43 am

      Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on the matter, Shelley! It’s so true that pulling up to a white house would bring me a lot of joy.:-)

      Reply
  3. Marilyn S. says

    Saturday, July 1, 2017 at 7:37 am

    Go white -you can’t go wrong with it. I love the blue gray ones you’ve shared but I’m not sure everyone would. White with black trim is so classic and suits the style of your home.

    Reply
    • Tamara says

      Saturday, July 1, 2017 at 8:44 am

      Thank you so much for your input, Marilyn! It helps a lot!

      Reply
  4. Chris says

    Saturday, July 1, 2017 at 8:22 am

    I love big white houses too! They always draw my eye. The picture you photoshopped looks ivory rather than a crisp white so the picture isnt too appealing. White is classic, fresh and clean. Its gorgeous with good landscaping a flowers! You can have fun with the front door color!

    Reply
    • Tamara says

      Saturday, July 1, 2017 at 8:48 am

      I’m so glad to hear I’m not the only one who loves big white houses too! Thanks for your response, Chris!!

      Reply
  5. Rhonda says

    Saturday, July 1, 2017 at 8:26 am

    I love the idea of white exterior! It looks classic and I think it opens more options on shutter and front door colors. Whatever you choose will look beautiful I’m sure!
    ~Rhonda

    Reply
    • Tamara says

      Saturday, July 1, 2017 at 8:49 am

      Aww thanks, Rhonda, that means a lot!!:-)

      Reply
  6. Beth Brace says

    Saturday, July 1, 2017 at 9:07 am

    Paint it white

    Reply
    • Tamara says

      Saturday, July 1, 2017 at 11:29 am

      Thanks for your input, Beth!!

      Reply
  7. kris says

    Saturday, July 1, 2017 at 9:30 am

    As wonderful as white is, some people don’t like the look of a white house in the winter with snow on the ground. The thinking, I guess, is that (1) a white house surrounded with white snow disappears into its surroundings, and (2) a white house doesn’t look cozy in the winter.

    Proponents of this line of thought would say that white is a wonderful color for a house in the deep south but not in the north.

    As I’m sure that you know, the possibilities if you don’t want white are endless. For what it’s worth, right now in our neck of the woods, gray, especially dark gray with white trim, is becoming increasingly popular. Another possibility is medium gray with white trim, darker gray shutters, and a black front door. Warmer colors such as beige, tan, and taupe are becoming less popular. (For the record, “our neck of the woods” is Ann Arbor, Michigan.)

    That said, I do really like the all-white house that you show . . . .

    Reply
    • MaryLee Kersten says

      Saturday, July 1, 2017 at 10:18 am

      Great points Kris.

      Reply
    • Tamara says

      Saturday, July 1, 2017 at 11:16 am

      Thanks so much for your thoughts, Kris! I love a medium gray exterior with white trim like in this photo. The photo didn’t want to load so here is the link to it, https://www.houzz.com/photos/2101997/Custom-Architecture-traditional-exterior-chicago.:-)

      Reply
      • kris says

        Saturday, July 1, 2017 at 2:52 pm

        Ha! I love that house too. (The architecture as well as the paint colors.) In fact, I saved it a while back. 🙂

        Reply
        • Tamara says

          Sunday, July 2, 2017 at 10:21 am

          It is such a lovely house, isn’t it!?:-)

          Reply
  8. MaryLee Kersten says

    Saturday, July 1, 2017 at 10:16 am

    I think it would look great in white.

    Reply
    • Tamara says

      Saturday, July 1, 2017 at 11:32 am

      Thanks, MaryLee! I really appreciate your feedback!

      Reply
  9. Debbie says

    Saturday, July 1, 2017 at 10:19 am

    I think that you have a beautiful home. I have painted many houses over the years, and I have always told the homeowners to go with their gut instinct! If you like the white and that is what you are leaning towards, then is that what your gut is telling you?? You can always go with some beautiful colors on the shutters and door. The door and shutters would be more cost effective for the new homeowner to cover than the whole house to be repainted. Some beautiful colors are out there…like a deep navy for the shutters and door. The small railing above your front door can make a great focal point in a POP of a great accent color to. Remember…you want your house to say “look at me” when people drive buy…and that’s a great thing. Good luck with whatever you choose!!

    Reply
    • Tamara says

      Saturday, July 1, 2017 at 11:08 am

      Very helpful, Debbie, thank you!!

      Reply
  10. Wendy Roper says

    Saturday, July 1, 2017 at 11:04 am

    Go white Tamara. It’s still traditional enough that it won’t detract future buyers. Trust your gut- you have excellent taste and the next owner will be grateful:)

    Reply
    • Tamara says

      Saturday, July 1, 2017 at 11:28 am

      You are so sweet, Wendy! Thank you for your confidence my firiend!!:-)

      Reply
  11. Donna says

    Saturday, July 1, 2017 at 12:13 pm

    Hi. I love white houses, too. They are classically beautiful, especially with pretty green grass and nice landscaping (both of which you already have) Sooo pretty! That being said, I always notice shutter size. Are they large enough to cover the windows if they were actually operable. The size makes a HUGE difference. Saying that, I can also say that a white house with black shutters cannot be topped. I always wanted that and finally got it in one of my husband’s job transfers. Sadly had to leave it with next move. I so much hope to have another. I say Go For It! Wishing you a wonderful day.

    Reply
    • Tamara says

      Sunday, July 2, 2017 at 10:19 am

      Hi, Donna, thank you for your thoughts! So interesting about shutter size! I hope you you get another white house with black shutters too! Thanks for your encouragement to go for it!

      Reply
  12. Jen says

    Saturday, July 1, 2017 at 9:29 pm

    I like white but I’d change the front door color to give it some pop!

    Reply
    • Tamara says

      Sunday, July 2, 2017 at 10:22 am

      Thanks for your input, Jen!:-) Hope you and family are doing well!!

      Reply
  13. Beverly Anderson says

    Sunday, July 2, 2017 at 1:04 am

    I think your house would look great in a dusky coastal blue-green (such as Valspar’s “Secluded Garden” #5002-4A – Lowe’s) with black shutters and white trim.

    Reply
    • Tamara says

      Sunday, July 2, 2017 at 10:23 am

      Thanks for the suggestion, Beverly! Going to check it out right now!:-)

      Reply
  14. Bonnie says

    Monday, July 3, 2017 at 9:38 am

    I also love white houses! I’m a little prejudiced because my home is white with brown shutters!

    Reply
    • Tamara says

      Monday, July 3, 2017 at 10:43 am

      Your home sounds so pretty, Bonnie!

      Reply
  15. Arli says

    Wednesday, July 5, 2017 at 9:25 pm

    I would much rather have a white house than a tan one.

    Reply
    • Tamara says

      Thursday, July 6, 2017 at 4:18 pm

      Thanks for the feedback, Aril! Very helpful!

      Reply
  16. Charley says

    Thursday, July 6, 2017 at 9:06 pm

    light gray with bright white trim and black shutters. Red (brings money into the house, among other things) or black front door with gold kickplate and fixtures. Bright white garage door to blend in. When it’s a front entry garage, do not emphasize. Will look fresh, bright, classic & expensive, just what you want a buyer to see!

    Reply
    • Tamara says

      Thursday, July 6, 2017 at 11:02 pm

      I can picture that combination looking really sharp, Charley! Great advice.

      Reply

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