We are young couple in our early 30`s and we bought a 1965 home in santa barbara california. Home isn't in a very good shape and has lot of deferred maintenance. We have spent last 5 months updating the interior and now finally we are thinking of improving the exterior. Here are a link to some photos https://www.dropbox.com/sc/c7ffu7mbcdiyxv2/2xT36xJaBQ As you can see we have replaced all the windows and patio doors but the new stucco around the frame does not match the old wall color. Also, I have caulked multiple cracks all around the house. So here are my questions 1) How do I tell if the stucco has been painted before or not ? If it wasn't it would be much cheaper to do a fog coat of new La Habra Allegro 2 to change its color. It would be a easy DIY. If it was painted then I will need to get it sandblasted first or have to paint it instead. I prefer not painting as I think it will be higher maintenance in long run plus its more expensive as I don't think I can do a good DIY job on it. 2)I read somewhere that if you wet the stucco and it changes color then its probably not painted. IMG_1889 shows the wet wall. I can't really tell if this proves that its a stucco. 3) Some gables were removed during pest work and were filled in by cement as shown in IMG_1891 and IMG_1893. How do I smooth the surface before I paint ? Also as shown in IMG_1892 and IMG_1894 there was an area that was patched by previous owner. It was cheaply done and the surface is not flat and doesn't adhere with the stucco. How do I deal with this ? 4) There is a gap between the rafters and the wall as shown in IMG_1886. Should I fill that with some stucco patching compound ? 5)IMG_1901 shows that there is a gap between the wall above the garage and the wooden support above garage. Water can easily seep through this. Its wide enough that I can't caulk between it. What should I do there ? 6) IMG_1909 shows that there was a shed or a ceiling wall over the patio which was removed before I bought this place. There is still the steal metal bar inside the stucco poking out a bit. I would like to remove this or just temporarily hide it. What are my options ? 7) I have started to power wash the fence. I am planning to put a waterproof stain on it next. Homedepot sells Behr waterproofing stain and waterproofing wood protector. What is the difference between the two ? 8)IMG_1916 shows a gap in the bottom of the garage wall near the gas line. What`s that gap for ? Should I try to patch this or is this opening there for a good reason ? Here is a link that might be useful: home pics

Dryvit has had many failures with water getting between the Dryvit and the frame of the home when it was first introduced back in the 70's. Please be very careful in using this material. Maybe an architect on this forum would care to comment further on this material.

WO, the schmear needs to be a little heavier. Here,,,I did a quick photoshop w/the stone (I photoshopped another stone that is washed a bit lighter) and picked two main colors. the cajun color could be pottery or the front door. also gave you wrought iron lantern light for the garage. here's the combo. if you go to colorsnap app, you can upload your home and punch in these colors. See below and I give you ideas and color combos this is what I had in mind for muting the stone. Schmear- you don't have to go this heavy, but if you did this, then you could copy the stucco color that they have. I've posted some others too. So imagine doing one of those options above w/your stone, and pairing it w/one of these white stucco colors and darker trim shades: I have a similar style home and chose Swiss Coffee and Wrought Iron. I have a charcoal spanish style color roof tile. But your terra cotta would look lovely w/this duo. I would suggest doing some iron hardware for your garage door and new lights. if you like the blue/green accent color (see below) This stone has more of a german schmear more warmer tones showing through. go w/the bronze accent colors if you like this. OR, try the romabio classico lime wash. Diff style house, but look at the stone portion. imagine that on yours, muted like this, along w/the white and dark trim tones. I did find one home w/some similar stone out front. Can you see the diff? I photoshopped your stone on this pic. This is exactly what I mean by muted the stone color w/the romabio. or a mortar wash. If you use the Swiss Coffee or Cotten White (colors below) You'll get this look on the stucco. Here are some colors ignore this style, but see the diff in stucco color? this is the white I mean along w/the darker trim I love this one. The softer white, darker bronze/chocolate trim, copper accents, and a blue/gray/green accents color (plants, ceramic pottery, front door color, etc) the blue/green shades. if you like, just accent w/this blue shade. maybe the door, or on the trim This is what I was thinking w/the darker fascia trim and maybe some wood accents.

Paul, your neighbors house looks nice but he has natural wood and blac accents. the wood helps warm up the cold look. and his landscaping is nice too. you see how the stucco color ties in w/his wood door and the warmer, charcoal tones of that siding? I just don't think this would be the best color w/what you're showing us. (unless you plan to add some wood slat or accents??) I wouldn't pick anything too yellow w/yours. the oatmeal if fine, the floral white one is too stick w/the whites that lean toward the cooler side of the wheel instead of the yellow side. a creamier grayish tone is fine, just nothing w/too much yellow. Wouldn't it be eaiser just to paint the stucco?