In remodeling my home I’ve come to realize that you make good friends with the people who help you then, once your project is over, you don’t get to see your redecorating buddies too much anymore. This is why we invented the ask Sander’s column: even though most of my house is painted, I still have an excuse to stop on by Benjamin Moore (Hill Country Paint to you South Austinites) any time I want (insert maniacal laugh here). So, when Jason wrote us with an email lovingly titled “dumb dude needs help” I was more than happy to pay a visit to the King of Paint.
Jason recently purchased this ranch and is experiencing something my husband would never dare to dream of: his wife has handed him decorating carte blanche. From what I’ve heard about his plans for the inside, hello Cole & Son wallpaper, he’s doing a bang-up job. The outside, as you can see, needed serious consultation. Jason asked Sanders to present him with 2 options: 1. Trim, accent, and door paint leaving the brick as-is, and 2. A palette for painting the whole kitten-kaboodle, brick and all. We’ll start with the former.
Sander’s first suggestion is to use Benjamin Moore Brandy Cream on for the trim, Dellwood Sand for the accent (the piece of wood that runs below the roof) and a pop of Tarrytown Green for the front door. I like that this selection updates the home while simultaneously blending with the preexisting brick. One of the major problems with the house right now is that the trim is just way too dark brown. Lightening it up and letting the front door provide the contrast will clean up the look lickety-split.
Next.
Another option for Jason that doesn’t involve the laborious task of painting the brick: a nice light trim in Cloud White, an accent in Sag Harbor Gray and a Cromwell Gray Door. I like that sanders kept the door fairly neutral with this combo, letting the cloud white do the talking. The white would really pop against the brick, but in a really fantastic way, unlike what the brown is doing now.
If Jason decides to paint the brick, which I 10000% support, here is an option for him: Body paint in Louisburg Green, trim & accent in Hazy Skies and a door in Duxbury Gray. Who can go wrong with Gray and Green with a nice, light accent? I think this palette will modernize the home without conflicting with the ranch style.
I have to admit that I’m a pretty big fan of this option: Body in Tucson Winds, trim and accent in Ashen Tan and Door in good ole Gray. I love a light house, I think it would really pop in that gigantic yard. Like the last option, it’s a nice update without trying too hard.
Finally, we have my favorite option. Ok, I’m a sucker for gray, with the Granite painted brick you could probably make the trim neon green and hot pink and I’d still love it, but I like what Sanders has chosen even more: Steam trim and accent with Mysterious for the door. I think this palette is the most sophisticated and I am BEGGING Jason to please please paint his house this color and send us some pictures.
I tried to find homes online painted similarly but wasn’t able to find the right combination, so instead I did a crappy photoshop mock-up of Jason’s house. Hopefully my elementary rendering won’t scare him out of the project:
Jason, bear in mind that there will be much more depth in reality, it won’t look like a gray play-doh fortress if given the treatment in real life. Squint your eyes and look at it (god, I’ve never had to say that about a design project) see, isn’t it grand?
Best of luck, dumb dude! Be sure to send us pictures when you’re done.
For anyone in Austin who is looking for a walking-talking color encyclopedia be sure to visit Sanders at Hill Country Paint: 5501 South Congress / 78745
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Karly, you must contact Jason asap and make a blood pact that this carte blanche he’s been given is hush-hush. Years ago, my sweet adorable husband took over decor responsibilities in our den and I’m still battling with his uuuuugly Eckornes recliners.
Oh, I just love Sanders and wish I, too, could drop by for frequent visits. I like the last gray option the best. But, what about some color pop at the door? Maybe navy blue-black? Or, acid yellowy-green? There’s a house I love here in Ansley Park/Atlanta and it’s various shades of gray with a bold acid yellow door. It totally works.
Is “dropping by Hill Country Paint to meet (and possibly hug) Sanders” on the itinerary for November’s visit?
As a matter of fact, Raina, a Sanders stop is on the list. Hooray!
Susie, Love the acid yellow suggestion for a front door. I could TOTALLY see that working with the last option
Sanders — once again — is pure genius. Love the palette you chose for your photoshop job, also love the Louisburg Green palette.
Cute house, Jason! You will have us over for drinks when you’re done painting, right?
Oh, painting the bricks seems so permanent and irreversible. I like Sanders’ first suggestion with Tarrytown green for the trim. Maybe try one of the trim combos first, then if you really hate it, think about painting the brick. From the photo, the brick looks really nice (but I’m a big brick fan!).
Could you paint the curvy concrete walkway, too? that might be an unexpected burst of color. It’s a lovely house — what a perfect MCM example. Really nice!
I think in this case, the permanence of paint is a good thing. Those bricks are begging for an update!
I love the last option with the addition of the yellow door. Awesome. And yay Sanders!
I concur that the last palette is a winner, and love the idea of giving the front door a pop of color. Maybe a gorgeous golden saffron if the acid is too much…
Sanders, you rock!
Thank you all for your suggestions. I’ll see what I come up for the a color for the front door. Here is the door we selected though since I wanted to spread the word about this great Austin company.
http://www.crestviewdoors.com/index.php/diy-kits/the-brentwood-doorlite-kit
Thank you all for your suggestions. I’ll see what I come up for the a color for the front door. Here is the door we selected. I wanted to spread the word about this great Austin company.
http://www.crestviewdoors.com/index.php/diy-kits/the-brentwood-doorlite-kit
Jason, I just remodeled my 1958 rambler in Northern Virginia and used Crestview Doors as the inspiration for my front door. Really loved the one you picked but did the Highgrove instead because I wanted a mail slot.
Sanders helped me with paint colors and I love them.
Good luck with your redo!
Those doors are awesome, Jason. You may not even need to paint them, a good wooden door speaks for itself
Dude! I love this house so much, and that color is ace. It’s going to look so good when you guys are done with it!!
I agree that a wood door would look great but in order to save money, I just bought a new paint-grade solid stave door from a local lumber supply. That way I could just install and bring it to life with paint.
Nothing wrong with that, Jason. I love smart spending… so, let’s talk acid yellow.
Hey, I’m the wife…carte blache is a stretch. I love his eye for things and he has more time to devote to our project. I LOVE that he’s asking yall for advice and cant wait to post our final pics. Thanks to everyone for the input. Sanders is my hero.