Exterior painting help!

Try matching a color from the bottom half of your home that will accent the vinyl and grey flooring.

Another idea is to change your shutters and paint them a slate grey blue similar to the Confederate uniform.

Next repaint the door a darker slate grey blue.

The slate grey blue colors will go well with the concrete color that you like so well and it will also go nicely with the yellow vinyl.

You will be surprised at how well those colors will make your home stand out.

My husband owned his own painting business before retiring and passing it down to our oldest son. With that in mind, a recommendation would be to try the slate grey blue fields since you like your concrete color. Just go to your local paint supplier/department and pick up 4 of the paper color sample blocks in the colors that you like, once home tape the 4 color blocks in the same color together and then tape it on the edge of the shutter where the vinyl and bottom half of home meet together step back and view how the color looks when placed next to the main exterior vinyl and stonework at bottom of home.

Hope this helps and Good Luck!

Browse through Behr.com for color inspirations .Once you decide on a color buy samples and see which one will work for you.

I agree with Janet, try out your colors with samples, first. The money spent is well worth it! You would be surprised at how different a color looks from the sample when painted on a much larger surface, with outdoor light. Most of the little color swatches in the paint store are really too small for you to get any idea of how they would look outdoors. Also, look at the color from the street as well as close up, and at different times of day, to get a true idea.

I agree with other suggestions. Some of the paint manufacturers have a program that will allow you to upload a picture of your house and try out different color choices. My suggestion would be to us the existing siding color on the front of the house. From the picture, it looks like it would compliment the brick (the white looks too stark). I would then paint the shutters a color that would match one of the darker colors in the brick. You could then paint that same color on the stoop and the flooring under the car port. I would definitely try these paint choices out on a paint manufacturers program first.

I think a contemporary but timeless combination is really one of neutrals.

I'd start by completely painting out the brick, because as long as you keep it as your starting point you are somewhat directed in palette. I'd suggest a taupe (Benj. Moore "Taos Taupe", or something like Pratt and Lambert "Peyton Randolph Grey") for all the brick. Don't be afraid to paint the brick- we've done it on a couple of houses and it's not difficult and the end product requires little care and look terrific!

I'd move to a creamy tone for your yellow sections(like Benjamin. Moore "Simply White") and finish by painting your shutters a true Black.

The transformation would be crisp, AND dramatic! Good luck.... This should really be fun!M

Remember, once you paint stone, brick, or slate, you ALWAYS have to paint it. It never goes back to the original color.

Hey Daisye, now that I know you are going to be renting it, if the shutter and door paint is in good shape, then I would just leave it as is. I would transplant the shrub that's crowding the walkway to the other side of the steps (or into the yard, I see another one there).

The gray steps and carport floor color is of no consequence (but looks great!) when picking out front accent colors. If you really want to pop, think about deep teal or navy for the shutters and door, which would be enough by itself. But then to paint the white (and possibly the pale yellow in the carport) a creamy tan-maybe a color from the brick/stone-kind of like coffee with cream-now that would really make your house "pop"!!! Follow up with us! 🏡😃

I have a suggestion, ditch the shutters. They are not the correct size for the windows and it would look cleaner with out them. Trim out the window in a color you like. Also the door trimmed and changed color. I would then add shrubs and flowers around the base to soften the stone and give it a natural feel. Right now it is just rock sitting on grass. Choose colors that you like and blend it all. But the shutters really should go.

I would agree that your home doesn't appear modern! It looks like it was built in the 50's. That being said there are some things you could do to give it a modern look. The grey color on the floor could be refinished with a variety of epoxy based finishes that can really give depth and a luxurious feel to an otherwise flat and boring surface. As far as the rest of the structure is concerned there are a lot of trending color schemes that could really help you achieve the modern look you're aiming for. In lieu of suggesting one specifically I would recommend you pick something that will reduce the contrast between the shutters as well as the lower brick type portion of the wall and the siding itself. Always start by sampling your choice before committing to purchasing all the custom paint mixes! Hope this helps,

Brandon - owner:

G&G Painting

11 McKay Rd

Lincolnville ME 04849

(207)789-5284

I agree paint color can change the look of a house completely if you don't want to match the brick for the paint how about the side of the East truck it's like a charcoal I think in the picture still a beautiful home

What are your favorite colors? Don't forget to look at the other houses in your neighborhood. You would not want two houses that have the same colors next to each other. This might give you ideas also. Also you do not need to re-install the shutters.

Hello, I would pick up the taupe color of the darker brick and use that on the front door and shutters. I think that would go well enough with everything else and would bring some uniformity to your color scheme.

A great way to test colors for a house is to take a picture of the house and print it in black & white then make several photocopies, then let your inner child try to color with various choices and have fun. When you have decided go to the paint store and try tomatch the colors of your choice.

Hi There, Could I maybe suggest leave stonework as is, paint wall beside windows a stone colour. With white Shutters and gutters. Continue Stone colour In carport leave the door and window frames white. Bring in Navy Blue for steps and and carport floor. Replant shrub in garden put a Navy and white planter pot maybe even a grouping of 3 where shrub is now. Neat and tidy! You will even be able to take the planter pots to your next self-owned house!

Hi Daisye, If that was my house I would Mid Century Modern it. Maybe paint the whole house charcoal gray, remove the shutters, and then paint the front door lime green or some fun color...... if you google mid century modern exterior paint colors or something you will see lots of ideas. Personally I find the brick, or stone, unattractive I would make it go away.

Here's a inexpensive refresh. Leave stone as is and

paint the front medium gray and also inside carport.

This would make a smooth flow look. Paint shutters white and ceiling in carport white and gutters.

Doors look fine. Also plant of couple low growing shrubs to left of steps and trim the other on the right.

This is a rental and KISS and cheap.

Medium grey for the siding, will pick up what looks like grey in the stone. Do carport also. White trim on windows, a red door (not primary red, but with a faint hint of blue in it without verging on purple), and black or very dark grey shutters.

I think a taupe color, on the gray side for the house. If you like the shutters , go black. Door color, you could go white or very dark gray. Not sure if I would like black on the front, but it would contrast nicely

select a medium, to medium-light pure gray--no taupe, no purple--pure gray. Then decide, whether you want shutters dark or light. If dark, use an eggplant purple. If light, use a pretty salmon or pinky-coral--both in a muted tone of the color.

Personally, I like the eggplant. You could even do both, dark shutters, and lighter door.

I would do a muted red and taupe trim...would make your brick pop.

Something you should keep in mind, what is the color of your roof? It looks like it has a brown tint to it. That will affect the overall look of the house with your paint colors. Believe me I know because we had a brownish roof and put gray siding on and it looked totally wrong. We ended up redoing the roof. If you would like a modern look, I agree with those who say to remove the shutters. Since the textures of the stone are 2 different kind you might want to consider painting them for a more cohesive look. You might also want to paint the outside of your chimney on the side of the house in that same color. The person who suggested googling mid-century modern paint colors had a very good idea. If you do that they will have colors shown with complimentary colors for the main color. Choosing to change the colors is a big decision. Don't worry if it takes awhile to decide. You want it to look just right. I hope you will post pictures once you are done.

I am assuming you will be leaving the siding. Of course that way is much cheaper. I would paint the front door and shutters a blueish grey that would match the grey carport floor. Also paint the do in the car port area, then that would blend with the rest of the house. The porch railing and the railing in the car port area along with the fence in the car port area should be painted. White tends to stick out. I would paint the metal pieces black ( it won't stick out) and the fence the blue grey. Go with a satin or semi gloss finish depending what you like best. This is an inexpensive way to update your home. I recently painted my front door and garage door(garage is attached) a blue I cant believe what a difference it made. I love it and so do my Neighbors!

I would remove the brick (if possible) down to the stone foundation and replace the siding on the entire front of the house with horizontal siding. Closing in the carport and installing a garage door would also change the look of your house. Then decide on your colors.

OH NO!!! Don't paint the brick!! You will never get it back!

I would make they vinyl a color that matched the rock in the bottom half, then make the shutters black, and the concrete a marbled mix of the shutter black, the top color that matched the rock face, and they gray.

yes, I'd still do black, and if the brick seems too much for right now, but you think you can swing the yellow siding, I'd stick go with the most neutral tan/taupe color you can pick out of that brick. It will be almost a 50/50 split between the brick and the siding/ shutters and the more dramatic you can make that top, the less you will focus on the bottom- Good luck to you! Let me know what you decide, and send pictures....

Since you have what appears to be both brick and stone, I'd play off those major parts of the house. They are what attracted my eye in the first place. My guess would be a soft gray and white shutters. Nothing I can think of looks cleaner and neater than gray and white. Gray mixed with black, is garish. The blend of gray (not too dark) with white softens. It says "clean".

I AGREE WITH THOSE THAT SUGGEST GREY. GREY WITH YELLOW ORANGE ARE IN. MY HOUSE LOOKED VERY SIMILAR. WE REMOVED THE FRONT DOOR AND PUT WINDOWS ALL THE WAY ACROSS. REPLACED OLD STONE WITH BRICK AND PUT THE SIDING ON THE VERTICAL.

I like open car port.... I would add wood to pillars and across the front and make it a show piece... stain it grey

Tried to post pic.... did not work I guess will try again....

Original house pic

Ideas

This home on Fixer Upper looks awesome. Just a suggestion. I would love it in gray with wooden shutters also.http://www.hgtv.com/shows/fixer-upper/plain-gray-ranch-made-bright-and-spectacular-pictures

If this is a rental.... I would consider a wash on the brick in a grey tone.... I would build a small wooden deck over the brick stairs if possible to make a seating area and use grey stain. Maybe take off two interior shutters on right side. Paint the door white because it looks lost and not inviting. Then put wreath on door.... plant shrubs and make a seating area in car port and at planters for flowers or herb garden. I would leave shutters until brick is painted and see. I saw where someone used a metallic paint to make shutters look like cooper / steal looked great. Rub it on. Good luck...

Colour palate

Definitely paint the whole space in the neutral beige including the stone. Put an accent color such as navy or royal blue on the shutters and front door. Gray is also a contemporary color but then you'd have to paint the carport the same color. The stone is breaking up the flow and making it look to choppy in front.

Happy painting.

Option....

I think that for now the house looks fine what dates it to me is the wrought iron. I would have it replaced and I would have the driveway redone since it appears to have cracks. I would put my money there. It is a beautiful home. Maybe some flowers some landscaping it doesn't have any.

all it needs is wood to beef it up and new paint. It appears there is brick and stone in the front or two types of brick? You could put up a covered entrance with wood and brick, or just a deck the length of the house. Check out that fixxer upper site, they have some great ideas, and the most pleasing are the softer pallets.

very nice job. As already commented be careful painting brick/stone. try cleaning and/or putting up an entrance with deck

There are stains to change your brick and stone, even cement. You can look for examples by researching Cliff Rock and StoneMasters.

That said, uniformity in color from the curb will reduce the "squat" appearance created by the linear roof line and the current division with the break up of colors and materials (siding, brick, stone).

I would research the proper techniques for prep and bonding paint to brick,then paint it the same color that your home already is. The siding color is good with the shade of your roof, it appears to be in good shape. It also contrasts with the grasss and seems like a happy color to come home to. Also, you could choose from many complimentary colors for your shutters and front door.

Try taking a look around your home and noting what is the color you're most drawn to, the color you've picked out for linens, accessories, etc. That color you're drawn to may make the best color for your door and shutters.