Funny thing, paint colors. After many efforts of trying to get Sandy Hook Gray not looking orangey brown on my walls (from taking the R3 -red oxide- out, to adding white, to using only 50% tint), and essentially ended up making it a completely un-Sandy Hook Gray, we discovered something fascinating. My painter primed an area for me to test more paint colors on. He used Zinnser Cover Stain primer. I was so surprised, and delighted, to see that Sandy Hook Gray no longer looks reddish brown on the primed section of the wall. Yes, I repainted it on again as I was curious. It still has a brown tint but mostly reading green-gray which I love. No more reddish/orangey brown showing through. I thought that given my old house color being so light (BM Limesicle that has been washed out in 10 years of UV rays), I can paint the test colors directly without primer. But, boy, was I wrong. The primer made such a difference and shows the sample colors better without interference from the old color. I learned my lesson!

I'm still at it ya'll. My GC just met with a second painting contractor today, so I expect we'll get a quote soon. (Just in time for me to go out of town for a bit too.) I've acquired a truly absurd number of paint samples, and now possess both sherwin williams and ben moore fan decks:) I would have done better to just choose from the limited Hardie colors. (tone is hard to convey on the internet, this is all in good humor, with me more or less mocking myself). The good news is, I know what I want to do! (hurrah!) I found a new inspiration picture, and both DH and I went "aha, that's it." The previous photos are fine, but this is the one we both definitely like the best: there are a bunch more photos of this house here - http://www.houzz.com/projects/1042760/burwood-custom-home-grand-rapids-mi I didn't think I wanted to go dark with our black metal roof, but there it is, the first color scheme we're both happy about. I think there will still be enough contrast. They claim the color above is Ben Moore Kitty Gray 1589. So, here are some samples: Sorry about the mud splash, should probably clean that off. From left to right: 1) SW dovetail 7018 2) SW gauntlet gray 7019 3) BM Kitty Gray 1589 *- the one in the insp photo above 4) BM quarry rock 1568 5) BM knoxville gray HC-160 So, internet house color support group, what say you? Kitty gray does not look as vibrant (dark, saturated?) to me in real life or in the photos as it does in the inspiration picture. It looks more gray, as opposed to having some dark blue/green. However, I think I'm just going to stop thumb sucking and pick this color. quarry rock has more green knoxville gray is fairly saturated in real life. it really might be dark teal. maybe that's good, I dunno. Then I have to decide a trim color, whether to paint a contrasting trim around the windows, and what color to paint the garage doors. Whew! getting closer:)

Wow thank you all so much for the recommendations!! I should have included that I am trying to decide on door color- I want to give it a pop, but without adding too many colors… that gold sounds nice! I thought an orange or red would give that effect too? Thank you for the compliments on how it is already painted… it may just be because it’s still pretty new to us and we haven’t adjusted… or perhaps the idea on just painting the window and garage trim the same green as the house could be the ticket! I proposed that to my husband who said he didn’t think that would look very good… I can now say I got feedback on houzz!! Lol!! I may play a little more with the color apps…

It's pretty much impossible to pick colors off of a computer. I would recommend asking your stucco contractor what brand of stucco color coat they use and the color options available.  Based on the options, pick 2 or 3 you like.  They can make samples for you but it will still be hard to pick.  Instead, ask them if they have done those colors before and where.  Then go in person to see if you like the color on a completed home or building.  It's easier if it's a commercial building versus someone's home.