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Assistance with front door color

theclose
10 years ago

Hi All,

We are moving on to our next project! Unfortunately we have to replace the underside of our overhang. It has been plastered by previous owners beyond repair. Lots of leaks and cracks. We are going to use beadboard on the ceiling. We are also having some rotted wood replaced on the wood surround of the door (not sure what you call that). So we will have that all painted. In doing so, I want to get my door repainted. When we moved in last year, we had it stripped all the way down and painted the same color we have our interior doors painted (Pratt & Lambert Obsidian). While I love the color, it does nothing for the exterior house. I want a happy, cheerful, fabulous color and for our door to stand out! We don't love the color of the shingles, but it was repainted fairly recently so that will stay for a while (5-7 years). Need work work with that. The door isn't in the best shape and will be recaulked/filled as necessary. I would like high gloss.

All this to say, what color to you envision the door? My neighbor has a red door, so that is a no. I first thought a beautiful deep cobalt color, like Farrow & Ball Drawing Room Blue. That is still a contender. Then I saw a new F&B color, St. Giles Blue. Love it! Not sure how it would look though. Too bright? And then there is Borrowed Light, which is very pale but gorgeous. Love it on Miles Redd's townhouse. But might be too light.

The front of the house is south facing and gets sun much of the day. We will probably add a storm door (full view glass). While I don't really want to, my husband does and it will probably enable us to keep our main door in better shape until we replace it (which we intend to do when we repaint the house). I would like to use Farrow & Ball because I love the quality and the glossiness of it.

I will also be replacing the mailbox (like it but it is so tiny and doesn't hold much) and the hanging light. Any suggestions for those are welcome too!

Here is a pic of the house and door, as well as some F&B colors. Thanks in advance for your help!

Door close up

Drawing Room Blue

St. Giles Blue

Chinese Blue

Borrowed Light

Miles Redd's townhouse

This post was edited by mamorella on Sun, Mar 16, 14 at 12:35

Comments (82)

  • bbstx
    10 years ago

    Changing my vote again: Babouche but with a touch more brown in it. Closer to a dijon. Similar to the one posted by angc.

  • theclose
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    @bbstx, I love Babouche too! I am shocked that I like it so much. If I use Farrow & Ball, I can't change the formula. It is what it is. I am going to try and find a pic of a Babouche door.

  • WendyB 5A/MA
    10 years ago

    so many choices my head is spinning!

    Before I saw any of the choices, I visualized a mid-tone blue and thought Chinese Blue was dead-on. And I still do, but it looks like you want to pop a bit more.

    I know you don't want red or rust, but I can really see it and especially how it coordinates with the front shrubs. Your first pic shows a bit of burgundy or red in the foreground. It might be nice to connect with that. I always thought red doors were realtors choice for welcoming.

    Picture Gallery Red

    Have you considered greens?

    Maybe an apple or lime green? Heres Cooking Apple Green. Maybe a little too light.

    Olive a little richer, stronger, more contrast:

    ...back to safe blues, I'm also liking Stone Blue

  • WendyB 5A/MA
    10 years ago

    babouche snuck in while I was posting... It does look like an awesome color, but something about beige and yellow next to each other has always bugged me. Not a fan.

  • bbstx
    10 years ago

    Look what I found! Babouche on a door! I like a lot!

    Here is a link that might be useful: Warline painting

    This post was edited by bbstx on Mon, Mar 17, 14 at 23:06

  • theclose
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Thanks for the pic, bbstx! I found it as well and was coming to post. I really like it too.

    @ wendy, I didn't think I would like the yellow and tan either but I like it in the mock up. Chinese Blue is still an option. We like that in the mock up too but the Babouche really makes an impact. As for green, it is my favorite color and I love it but none of the mock ups I did in greens looked that great.

    Question: if I go with Babouche, do you think it's odd that the interior face of the door will be dark brown? All my interior doors are dark brown (same as current exterior front door).

  • bbstx
    10 years ago

    I don't think it would look odd at all for the exterior of the door to be one color and the interior another. I think that is fairly normal. Thinking back to the last several houses I've had, the interior and exterior of the front doors were different colors.

    Go for it! It's just paint. If it doesn't work, you can re-paint it. (hmmm...that sounds vaguely familiar)

  • sammyegail
    10 years ago

    Throwing in another vote for Chinese Blue. It was my first instinct and still my choice after reading the whole thread. : ). What I like about it with the stonework is it reminds me of a stream. Blue for the water. Plus it's a lovely blue! I would even consider getting a shade lighter and doing the panels on each side.

    I live in FL where bright exterior colors are the norm. I got into it when we first moved here but it did get old. It is just a front door, you could always do the brighter blue, but from personal experience I ultimately changed my mind on the colors that stood out a bit too much. St. Giles blue would be fun until Fall ; ).

    A color I think you may like is Peacock Plum by SW, check it out!

  • lascatx
    10 years ago

    I like the mustard color show up the thread a bit, but that is with brown stone. Yours seems to have more gray in it and the yellows seem jarring. There are homes where bright colored doors perk up the face, but your home already has lovely features and I would want to compliment them rather than have the house say "Forget me, look at my bright colored door." Whatever you pick, you need to compliment the softness of the sage siding and the browns and grays in your stone.

  • patty_cakes
    10 years ago

    I'm lovin' the purples, some bright, some subdued, but all very pretty, IMO.

    Here is a link that might be useful: doors

  • Fluffeebiskits1
    10 years ago

    Here's a few more ideas. Sorry for the multiple posts. Can't get all the pics in one.

    BM Franklin Lakes

  • Fluffeebiskits1
    10 years ago

    SW Meditative

  • Fluffeebiskits1
    10 years ago

    SW Poetry Plum

  • Fluffeebiskits1
    10 years ago

    Heres SW Riverway which is what I have on my front door

  • Fluffeebiskits1
    10 years ago

    And should you change your mind about a dark color, BM Gentleman's gray

  • kitschykitch
    10 years ago

    I'd go with one of the farrow and ball greens. The others don't seem to relate to the house or setting, IMHO.

  • theclose
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Thanks all! Can't respond personally to all as I'm on my phone but I just wanted to say I'm back to blue. : ) We really like Chinese Blue best with our exterior. After a little more searching, I looked at Fine Paints of Europe ( I've used that paint for furniture before). I emailed their color consultant and his first pick was Potomac Blue:

    Kind of between St. Giles and Chinese! I think this *might* be the winner! But I'll still look around. Just a little.

  • rpets
    10 years ago

    Ding, ding, ding!!!! LOVE the Potomac Blue!!!

  • Fluffeebiskits1
    10 years ago

    Love it!

  • theclose
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Thanks! I know it is just paint but it is so hard to pull the trigger. I don't want it to look out of place or wacky. It is funny about color - everyone has a different opinion of what "goes" and what doesn't. I consulted with the FPE guy and he said Potomac, which is on par with my original intent. Then I consulted with the colorist that helped me pick out interior colors. The gist of what he said was the house as is doesn't lend itself to any bright color, which I know some PPs stated upthread. I understand that and am kind of thinking that myself but I want color! Ugh. He suggested F&B Railings, which is a dark gray/blue/green color, but in FPE high gloss. I know the high gloss will give it oomph too. DH just wants high gloss black. This is way too difficult!

    I do appreciate all the feedback. Right now, if I had to choose, I would just go with Potomac and see how I like it. After all, it is just paint!

  • bbstx
    10 years ago

    Having painted a SW facing door high gloss black, let me tell you, it doesn't stay high gloss for long. The sun will beat it down, and fine dirt/dust will also make it look matte.

    I had a pair of beautiful doors. The upper 2/3 was leaded glass. When we bought the house, we had the front doors stripped and re-stained. They were gorgeous for about 6 months. We had them sanded and re-stained several more times. It was a job that had to be done every 6 months. Finally, in frustration, I had them painted black. Then I got by with only having to have them repainted every year and a half to 2 years, but the high gloss only lasted a few months.

  • WendyB 5A/MA
    10 years ago

    There's no right or wrong answer... You're just setting a mood. You can change it on a whim. A door is the perfect element to try out and have do-overs with. It only takes a quart of paint so it's not that expensive. It's quick and easy.

    How about large color chips? Some places sell 12" or 18" sample squares. That might help you nail it down. Tape 4 colors up in 4 corners and go look at it from the street. I am sure you will know for sure which one is right if you do that.

    I think that particular picture of Potomac is looking extra popping because of the high gloss and the photography. The actual color chip doesn't seem to have quite so much punch, so I think you will be pleased.

  • patty_cakes
    10 years ago

    I have to agree about not using a bright color. When I see a bright red door, ant it's too bright, I think of an oriental restaurant. Keeping it on the muted side is a good ideaI IMO.

  • natebear zone 10B
    10 years ago

    Mamorella, can you do a mock up with the potomac blue? I definitely like that shade best of your three blues.

  • theclose
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    @bbstx, good to know about the gloss. And that if I hate Potomac, it won't last long anyway. : )

    @wendy, you are right - it is a mood. And the color is gorgeous so how can I go wrong?! Again, easy enough to change out. My painter knows how nuts I am at this point so I am sure he won't be surprised at a call from me to change it!

    @patty, I know. It is just that the darker colors really make the house boring. I already think the tan is boring enough - I am not a tan person. But I can't justify changing that out yet. I can't wait to do it though!!

    @natebear, well, here is a very crude mockup. I don't have photoshop so I am just trying to get the closest match on SW website. Here it is:

  • cal12
    10 years ago

    I agree with nosoccermom. A darker blue is the way to go!

  • WendyB 5A/MA
    10 years ago

    something about that base picture is making the mockups difficult to evaluate. The lighting in that picture is cloudy and grey and the color pasted in has a not realistic quality to it.

    I can't photoshop a real door, but this may give you another perspective. Thumbnail on purpose to obscure bad mockup technically. The color swatch is in FRONT of the shrub!! Ha ha

    I think you are close enough to deciding, that you need to do it and see the real color in real life on the real door. Even if it is just a big color swatch sample.

  • theclose
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    @wendy, thank you!! See, I like it from far away. Kind of like a Monet. : ) Yes, yesterday was cloudy and yuck.

    I just need to do it!

  • lascatx
    10 years ago

    I'd paint the door so it fits the house and then get some urns and put color in with plants/flowers. You have all trimmed shrubs with no blooms, no color other than green and no soft lines. Maybe what you are missing is some flowers. I would be.

  • bbstx
    10 years ago

    There are sample boards called Small Wall. I got mine at the local Sherwin Williams. You can also get them on Amazon, I think. They are 12x12 boards with a surface that readily takes paint. On the back is a sticky strip that can be moved several times.

    Paint some test boards and let us see them!

  • WendyB 5A/MA
    10 years ago

    re test boards...at Michael's you can purchase a large foam board for $2 that can be easily cut into 4-8 test size boards. I create double-sided painters tape -- by rolling a piece in a circle -- to stick them on the wall.

  • nosoccermom
    10 years ago

    Now, if you wanted to go all out, you could get a large roll of white paper, cut out door size sheets, paint them your various sample color, and tape them to the door.

  • arkansas girl
    10 years ago

    You need to paint the door a color that compliments the house, not something that clashes. The home is warm and you are trying to go toward cool colors. This will look ugly and clash! There's a fine line between standing out and STICKING out (like a sore toe!). You need to stick with warmer tones to compliment your house. We have a neighbor that's painted their tan home with a bright blue door, it looks HORRIBLE!

  • patty_cakes
    10 years ago

    When I think *bright* it's the bright red or pink lipstick you might see on a TV commercial~while it may be beautiful on a model, a front door is probably not the best place. Muted is a 'toned down' shade of a bright color, not as strong, and easier on the eyes. I guess like everything else, it's also personal taste.

  • sweet_tea_
    10 years ago

    Just my .02, but I think you're fighting against your house, rather than embracing it. I know you said you want a punch of color, imo the colors are wrong for the current colors of the rest of your house. If you want bold, I think you could go a barn red or rusty orange to compliment the tones in your rocks. If you really want blue then something in the navy tones is all I would do. I do like the the other blues,I just don't think they like your house. :)

  • theclose
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Well, there you have it! Deep down I know my house wants a dark color. It needs a dark color. Maybe because this winter has been so awful (and our first winter back East), I just really need some brightness. Navy blue was our first intent. That is "our" color. Both our cars are navy, we love navy, etc. So, maybe that is what I should do. I know it will look refreshed either way. I just feel like it is settling. But since I can't change the tan shingles right now, my fab front door color might have to wait.

    I do appreciate all your assistance! They started demo on the overhang ceiling today and lo and behold the whole overhang roof has to be replaced. Go figure. So I have a few more days to pick a door color. And then when the weather finally warms up, I will pick out new planters to flank the door and get some pretty colored flowers in there like I did last year.

  • nosoccermom
    10 years ago



    I have to say that I love the darker blue. If you want something bright, you can always go for colorful annuals in containers next to the door.

  • theclose
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Thanks, nosoccer. I love navy too. I really do. I just wanted to do something different. I know it will look great. I love that last door you posted.

    I did colorful annuals last summer and loved it. Will do the same this year. I also did hanging baskets.

  • nosoccermom
    10 years ago

    I think it will look great!

  • radley
    10 years ago

    Super home.

    I agree that a strong colour would be most effective, as soon as I saw the picture of the house, before scrolling down to your samples I thought of a deep turquoise like St. Giles. Also, I think a strong electric blue would work such as Benjamin Moore caribbean azure
    2059-20
    http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/caribbeanazure

    The neutral exterior colour allows you the luxury of using a splash of dynamic colour. A second thought would be an energizing green like: floraisle 581
    http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/floradaleisle

    Also, if you have a primary home colour you may want to coordinate with that - but in an energized hue.

    Finally, whatever you go with, it might be fun to get a couple of large pots to put on your walkway and paint them the same colour. You could just plant them with white alyssum. I found 2 pots in the colour I wanted - a deep jade- and will put them out on the walkway this year with white alyssum.

    Sure it will be great...post an after photo.

  • lascatx
    10 years ago

    Navy isn't settling -- it has a lot more life than the black it appears you have now. I've had the stained wood and black front doors and wanted something more (in my case because all the red brick houses seem to have stained wood, black or dark green doors and I wanted different). I have navy now and even under the overhang of a front porch and having gone with a very dark blue with a bit of black in it, it is still different.

    I have a navy car too -- an you walk in and see my deep blue dining room. If you are a blue person, I think you'll be happy.

    Oh, the navy goes well with just about anything you can put in your planters. :)

  • WendyB 5A/MA
    10 years ago

    you haven't painted it yet???

    Not that you need MORE choices, but I think you need to consider BM blues. Much more selection to get just the right shade. Here are some.




    {{!gwi}}

    on the BM site each paint lists it's LRV - Light Reflecting Value. That is helpful to judge brightness from one to the other and avoid getting one too dark that reads black from afar on a grey day. (the higher the LRV number the lighter it is - white is 100)

    The larger sample in the links are more revealing. Notice how those chips above are not consistent. Bermuda blue came out different in two instances.

    Caribbean Azure seems to be a good compromise between navy and bright.

    Blueberry is just a little lighter.

    New York State of Mind is just a little brighter than navy -- no turquoise in it.

    This post was edited by wendyb on Fri, Mar 21, 14 at 8:03

  • theclose
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    @radley, thank you! I really do love the house. I am still toying with bright vs. dark-ish. And I will definitely get pots of flowers. Interesting idea to paint the pots.

    @lascatx, I think I will be happy too with a navy color. Your dining room sounds gorgeous!

    @wendy, no!!! I promise I am going to the paint store today to get a few sample pots. I have seen NY State of Mind before and really like it. That and Caribbean Azure. I think I might get those both and see how they fare. The LV is interesting. Both Caribbean Azure and NY State have low reflective values - both in the 8 range. Do you think that might be bad?

  • WendyB 5A/MA
    10 years ago

    > low reflective values - both in the 8 range. Do you think that might be bad?

    that's where the in real life samples are crucial. It will depend on your actual lighting, but I would think anywhere about 8-10 will be a nice depth -- that is, in your last iteration of preferences. Those electric type colors are probably 20-30ish or more!

  • patricianat
    10 years ago

    I have urns that I used the high-gloss FPE on and they have been outside by my door for 9-10 years and they are the same color they were when I painted them.

  • theclose
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Made a little progress. I bought paint samples over the weeekend. One green (wanted BM Chrome Green but they can't do a sample in that so I bought a similar one just to try a green) and one blue (BM Caribbean Azure). I painted sample boards. Here are some pics in front of the door. I think I just need to bite the bullet and paint samples directly on the door. Thoughts on colors?

  • lascatx
    10 years ago

    I like the blue, but that was also my first direction. Green doors are great, but your house seems to be all soft green so t's more of the same and less interesting to me. If you do want green, I'd go with something a little darker -- with a bit of black in it.

  • nosoccermom
    10 years ago

    I much prefer the blue, but then, there's not a single piece of green clothing in my house. The only green I own is plants.

  • theclose
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    @lascatx, blue was my first direction too. Definitely pops more too. I love green - probably my fave color - but I think the house needs blue!

    @nosoccer, ha!

    I think I will paint more of the door the blue color and see what I think.

  • WendyB 5A/MA
    10 years ago

    Yup, that blue is gorgeous. Gives you the pop you are wanting. Has more life than the green. It is dark but not navy dark, so good contrast with the house w/o the bold overload.

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