skip to main content

Paint Exterior Design Dilemma

help with exterior paint trim on tall row house! is it too dark?

last year

Using Sherwin Williams seal skin above and below the windows. I liked it on the first window, but now about the door I'm worried it's too dark. Should I keep painting the second story or should I look for a lighter color? I'm not sure the house color - it was painted when we moved in.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

PRO
HALLETT & Co.
last year
Way too heavy looking for me, doesn’t fit the pallet of the rest of the house.
palimpsest
last year
I think it is too dark. Try something a little lighter further up the paint strip.
Related Discussions
Help with exterior paint! Would dark paint color look best?
Q
Comments (14)
At first, I was thinking a light gray could work, if it picks up one of the brick colors. I think the white trim here also helps balance that pairing. This was a custom color, but it looks way less brown based than Gauntlet Gray to me, more like the steel tones of your lightest gray brick. Then I started to think that with all your roof, a dark gray, like Gauntlet Gray would divide your rather short house. That's probably why it's painted a color close to the roof. Here's a dark gray shorter house,(painted something like Winchester Gray, a poster thinks.) that has a matching roof, unlike yours. Personally, I wouldn't like this dark gray on your house. Would you ever consider going to a chocolate brown, with red accents? Here, your roof is the third color, as is their orangey natural wood trim. Paint the garage the red. Your setting is gorgeous!
...See More
Painted exterior house too dark??!!
Q
Comments (2)
Try posting a pic in a new comment below mine. It's wonky sometimes
...See More
Dark Brown House-Trim Color Help Needed
Q
Comments (9)
The current white is too stark, but I think that a creamy- or off -white that works well with the siding would be a great choice. . From the way the house appears on my monitor I would have guessed that Hawthorne Yellow would have been too yellow. ( Shagbark Hickory appears to have a lot of gray, so I would be looking for a darker cream/off white that also has gray undertones) Since it looks great though, perhaps a shade a bit paler than Windham Cream would be good. Weston Flax seems closer to what I have in mind. I would go back to the SW store, and start by finding Shagbark Hickory amongst the color chips. Those chips should be arranged with colors with similar values (such as undertone) which is a good way to narrow the choices down. Be sure to take several that look like they have potential, and view them outdoors with the Shagbark chip. On my monitor, Accessible Beige seems like it could be close - the right amount of lightness, if the undertones aren't perfect. Ben Moore might have a very similar color to Shagbark, so you can do the same there. ETA: SW offers virtual color consultations, that might be a help!
...See More
Help! Paint feels too dark
Q
Comments (18)
(btw that dark wall with a window is the same color of paint, the lights were just off and my camera adjusted for the window light.) We actually did already have the floor color chosen, it's a mid - dark shade of natural wood. Maybe when we install that, we will revisit the paint and decide whether it needs changing before the furniture and finish gets added. The odd thing is, I turned down the temperature of light, making them warmer and I'm kinda liking it more. Embracing the warmth of the walls rather than the cold greys. Which is opposite to what I was intending when choosing a paint color.
...See More
KW PNW Z8
last year
last modified: last year
I agree way too dark. The home to left has a good contrast color. I’d think about painting porch ceiling same white as trim or even doing the southern thing - paint it pale blue. If you’re wanting some details to add zing - bigger & darker house numbers & Porch light. Shrubs could use a good trim too so the nice railing will show.

ETA - that Seal Skin color might be nice on the wooden rocker I see a bit of - maybe 2 rockers?
jackowskib
last year
Hard to tell color of home, looks grey. Perhaps this Escape grey for window trim. Has a hint of green. And Elephant Ear for all the porch area trim.
Debbie Downer
last year
Could you clarify what's the plan for the brick, color, go or stay ? I would hit pause and before proceeding with Sherwin Williams paint, research and get a plan in place for long term preservation of brick - limeworks.us is a fantastic resource - people there so very helpful even for DIY homeowners ( like I was). Brick and mortar of that age is particularly vulnerable to damage due to it being much softer than modern brick. The problem with usual acrylic house paint is it traps moisture behind the paint film which ultimately deteriorates the brick - since you already have paint on I'm not sure what your next step should be - hence my advice to consult with someone. It would be a lot of work to take off the existing paint - perhaps switch over to mineral based paint as the acrylic paint starts to fail/peel off? Oh, you might want to check with beeckmineralpaints.com as well - I think one of their mineral paints can go over housepaint . They too are very helpful!

Related Stories

EXTERIORS Help! What Color Should I Paint My House Exterior?

By Jennifer Ott Design

Real homeowners get real help in choosing paint palettes. Bonus: 3 tips for everyone on picking exterior colors

CURB APPEAL What to Know About Getting Your Home’s Exterior Trim Painted

By Erin Carlyle

Learn when it makes sense to change the color of your exterior trim and how much this project might cost

EXTERIOR COLOR Choosing Color: 1 House, 5 Exterior Paint Palettes

By Jennifer Ott Design

See how color variations change the look of this midcentury ranch-style home

HOUZZ QUIZ Houzz Quiz: What Color Should You Paint Your House?

By Jennifer Ott Design

Is white right? Maybe dark blue-gray? Take our quiz to find out which color is best for you and your home

ENTRYWAYS Help! What Color Should I Paint My Front Door?

By Jennifer Ott Design

We come to the rescue of three Houzzers, offering color palette options for the front door, trim and siding

CURB APPEAL When to Paint Your House Brown

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

Nature loves brown, from rich soil to sunlit sand, and so do home exteriors with a traditional or Craftsman bent

EXTERIORS Should You Paint Your Brick House?

By Five Star Painting

See if paint is a good option for your exterior, and learn about the steps professional painters take

COLOR Paint-Picking Help and Secrets From a Color Expert

By Tiffany Carboni

Advice for wall and trim colors, what to always do before committing and the one paint feature you should completely ignore

COLOR PALETTES Choosing Color: See This Home Try On 5 Exterior Paint Palettes

By Jennifer Ott Design

Dark and dramatic, or soft and neutral. See how paint color alone can change the look of a home

EXTERIOR COLOR Choosing Color: Transform Your Exterior With 2 Cans of Paint

By Jennifer Ott Design

One charming brick house takes on 4 color combinations to show you the power of paint choice

Sponsored

Mosaic Design Studio

Creating Thoughtful, Livable Spaces For You in Franklin County

More Discussions

Help turn my blah house into a beautiful house!

43

Paint colors for Tudor stucco

13

Which colors are used on stucco home, 250 Blue Violet Way, Durham, NC?

6

sw high reflective white or extra white on kitchen cabinets?

7

Wood trim—what to stain, what to paint?

10