Am I crazy to paint my house all white and the attached garage red?
Samuel Parry
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Photos updated.
My new home (pictures here in its present state) will be ready for paint shortly. I’d like to paint the house all white, and the garage a washed out/antique red.
I designed the house and overseen it’s construction. It feels like a piece of art to me. I want to paint it the perfect colors. I know “perfect” is subjective, but I want to make sure I’m not violating any obvious (or subtle) rules of thumb or design principles. I’m looking for some validation or criticism.
The house is on a prominent hill with no other houses around. The roof will be medium Grey color asphalt, with grey metal over the front porch. The property contains natural desert plants, but is surrounded by fields of corn, onions, and alfalfa. We will also be landscaping the area immediately around the house With a lawn and a mix of trees and shrubs.
What are your thoughts?
Featured Answer
Comments (20)
Related Discussions
White (?) Or am I crazy? (Pics)
Comments (40)In the past we have used the living room mostly for formal entertaining with just adults. When we include the children at parties, we usually do something more casual in the family room, where we have totally kid-proof leather upholstery. Also, we have always had our den/office area set-up as a sitting room rather than an office, and I'm thinking of going for a darker, sort of english-men's-clubby look in there. For some reason, my big fear is dye transfer from blue-jeans, more so than the daily-wear-and-tear thing. I have to kind-of chuckle when I think of deciding which room to invite guests to sit in based on their attire.. I was thinking I could have a pretty throw on the white sofa for the occasional family member who might wander in to sit with a book or something. Also, the room is large enough that there will be other seating, in darker colors, so anyone with apprehension about sitting on the white will have options. Do I sound like I'm trying to talk myself into it? I suppose because it seems to me that white looks better than any of the other lighter-colored options, and also, I wonder if the concerns with stains/dirt/wear would be much less, say with pale blue or gold, than they would with white? I do not see a very dark color in that room, so the colored options are almost as light as the white. Funny, I heard a comment on "The stagers" on HGTV, where the designer was using a white sofa, and made an aside comment that they "never recommended them for their design clients"--only for staging, as they would look grungy in a few months. I thought when I posted this, that I might hear from people who had white, and then regretted it after living with it. However it's interesting that the people who responded who said they actually have a white sofa, all said they had no problems and loved it. Any more white-upholstery owners want to weigh-in? (So far only 5 white-sofa owners have responded.) It would be interesting to hear from more--I wonder if I'm needlessly concerned about the white, as those with experience living with it, (so far) unanamously seem to love it!...See MoreWhite Cabinet Questions -- Am I crazy?
Comments (5)Here's the scoop, from my perspective, having just ordered a white kitchen. First, I'm in Canada, where there is less of a stigma attached to MDF doors. Many (all) of the highest end cabinet shops have MDF door options. Wood frame doors will expand and contract and you will get hairline cracks at the seams of the frame and gaps showing around the panel. You can reduce this by using an MDF panel with solid wood frame around. Further reduction of gap appearance can be achieved by painting the panel before assembling the door. The panels in a wood door 'float' - they are not glued into place, for this very reason. In some people's eyes, the lines are a sign of a solid wood door and they like the 'imperfect' look. I tend to agree, but the wife couldn't stomach spending this much money on cabinets and looking at cracked paint all the time. So, push come to shove, with no price difference, we went with MDF doors on plywood cabinets. While she couldn't stomach cracked paint, I couldn't stomach pretend maple plastic veneer inside a particle board box. So I paid the small upcharge for plywood (material difference only which was minor). Our upper cabinets are 47" tall. The MDF doors are custom made on a computer controlled CNC machine. Today solid wood doors are similarly machine made with minimal human assembly. For all the attention paid with most door makers, they may as well be machine made - it's like saying your Ford was made by hand. Sure it was. So if you want a perfect smooth finish, go with MDF doors. MDF is a strong environmental choice too. If you prefer the feeling that you've got solid wood doors, and like the imperfections showing up over time, go solid wood. I also learned that at least in the Toronto area, most 'custom' cabinet shops make their own cabinet carcasses (the box) but all order doors from companies that do just that - make doors. Check out Cut Right doors in Waterloo Ontario for example. So often the difference between one shop and another is the construction technique/quality of the carcass, and the finishing quality of the paint/stain, as the doors are delivered unfinished. Our 'white' kitchen is being painted Benjamin Moore Cloud White, a perennial favorite white - pretty neutral without much yellow or blue undertone but not stark. Cabinets are being installed in a week or so....See MoreBlue/gray stained cabinets instead of paint? Am I crazy?
Comments (17)lceh, I'm sorry I came late to this thread -- have you looked at the General Finishes dye stains? In terms of quality they're superior to the MinWax products and you might get a longer lasting finish from them? Then there's also milk paint, which is a fabulous cabinet finish topped with a good sealer. It's gorgeous. For anyone who is trying to "stain" their old cabinets and can't get all the previous coating off, this is a potential option. They make an additive that allows the milk paint to seal to previously-finished surfaces. Done this way, it's more opaque but has lots of natural tonal shadings that are the next best thing to a translucent stain. This is an old unfinished oak dresser I did, it's milkpainted white with gray stencils, but gives you the idea. (Driftwood plus Snow White and a little Slate gives you a perfect Gustavian Grey...) Whichever product you choose, they'll all look good -- have fun mixing! Here is a link that might be useful: Milk Paint...See MoreAm I crazy to paint my kitchen cabinets white?
Comments (27)Nlpie, I'm a little late to this party but have my 2 cents to add. Also, want to echo others comments that you have a gorgeous house and cabinets. First, a good friend of mine had her cabinets painted by a top notch professional crew. They did a first class job, and the finish held up for years. I think that with some changes you can have a wonderful kitchen either staying with natural cabinets or going creamy off-white. I'm mainly struck by your your lack of artificial lighting. The pot lights aren't even on in the kitchen ceiling. If there are no under cabinet, or above cabinet lights, please add both. Rather than just changing the lighting above the island, what about adding two skylights if this is a single story house? There are both layers of artificial light and skylights in my kitchen. It all makes a huge difference. Along the same line, I would add 3 floating shelves on either side of the large wall clock. Have led lighting built into each self to shine down, with lighting to shine up from the top shelf. Then add fine art decorative glass vases on the shelves. Rather than the clock, replace with a large painting which will have fine art lighting. Both the counter and the back splash go well with the wood cabinets. However, the counter and tile do not look good together imho, too busy. I would go with the cream crackle tile bluebell has shown, whether the cabinets are painted or not. It's always fun coming up with ideas for others to spend $$$. I'm really looking forward to seeing you kitchen when it's completed....See More
PROBeth H. :
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoIt's been done!
why not just paint the entire house red w/bright white trim?
I like the black and white, but, if you want red, why not paint it all white and do red garage doors? These are black, but you get the idea
or, all black
Samuel Parry thanked Beth H. :Samuel Parry
3 years ago
PRODesign Interior South
3 years ago
PROJudyG Designs
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoPaint the board and batten red and the horizontal clapboard white.
I’m going to suggest that the main, white, house have the all gray roof and the garage(red) have the metal roof. ( It will look more barn like).
Yes, to the cupola and paint the garage doors red, as well.
We just came back from doing errands, and drove by this white Greek Revival Farmhouse with a red barn. In the yard, they have a collection of antique tractors….all surrounded by gorgeous gardens. Typical old Cape Cod.
Samuel Parry thanked JudyG DesignsSamuel Parry
3 years ago- PRO
Design Interior South
3 years agoBoard and batten garage red, shingles white, Cupola over garage. Black carriage lights and hardware. A tree or vine to right of window on right side of house to balance the lone window out. Is the gray metal over front porch going to be like this?
Maybe keep your garage doors the same metal with black carriage hardware.Samuel Parry thanked Design Interior South Samuel Parry
3 years ago
Elaine Doremus Resumes Written
3 years ago
PROFlo Mangan
3 years ago- PRO
Flo Mangan
3 years ago 
Brown Dog
3 years ago
PROCelery. Visualization, Rendering images
3 years ago- PRO
Design Interior South
3 years ago 
RedRyder
3 years ago- PRO
Gcubed
3 years ago- PRO
Flo Mangan
3 years ago
Related Stories
DECORATING GUIDESRoom of the Day: Black, White and Red All Over
Custom fabric, heirlooms, bold color and a beloved collection of books cozy up this farmhouse library
Full Story
EXTERIORSHelp! What Color Should I Paint My House Exterior?
Real homeowners get real help in choosing paint palettes. Bonus: 3 tips for everyone on picking exterior colors
Full Story
COLORWarm Up to White All Around the House
Explore the many ways to design a white kitchen, bathroom, dining room or bedroom that's far from stark and sterile
Full Story
MODERN HOMESMy Houzz: All Right With All-White in a Modern New Jersey Home
A bold monochrome palette with black accents, modern art and treehouse-like views of NYC are stars in this couple’s dramatic home
Full Story
HOUZZ QUIZHouzz Quiz: What Color Should You Paint Your House?
Is white right? Maybe dark blue-gray? Take our quiz to find out which color is best for you and your home
Full Story
DECORATING GUIDESDesigner Secrets: 10 Pros Share Their Favorite White Paints
Decorating experts look to these hues when they want a go-to white they can count on
Full Story
WHITEHow to Pick the Right White Paint
White is white, right? Not quite. See 8 white paint picks for 8 very different effects
Full Story
REMODELING GUIDESAre You Gutsy Enough to Paint Your Floor White?
Sleek and glossy or softened by wear, white floors charm
Full Story
WHITEWhat to Know Before You Paint Your Walls White
A coat of white paint can do wonders in one room and wreak havoc in another. Here are tips for using the popular hue
Full Story
KITCHEN DESIGNKitchen of the Week: Red Energizes a Functional White Kitchen
A client’s roots in the Netherlands and desire for red countertops drive a unique design
Full Story
houssaon