6 Farmhouse Paint Colors with a Modern Twist

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Farmhouses come in all colors!  We get asked all the time…”What color should I paint my modern farmhouse?”  We are going to share with you some winners that are tried and tested when it comes to Modern Farmhouses.  Now, each color brings something different to the table…some bring warmth, some bring drama, some are cool, some are edgy and some can be rustic.  The color you choose should live harmoniously with the fixed elements (things that aren’t changing) on the exterior.  For example, if you have a ton of warm stone, a cool Gray may not be the right selection.  Our company specializes in selecting for you, removing the guesswork and showing you a visual before you take the leap.  Keeping in mind LRV (light reflective value) when you look at this list as that will give you a very general idea of brightness.  The higher the number, the brighter!  

Let’s get into it! 

Sea Pearl
Sea Pearl
white dove
white dove
  1. Wrought Iron:  A brick&batten favorite.  We use this on doors, trim and sometimes brick or siding.  We love this color because it’s a black/brown/gray.  The brown delivers just the right amount of warmth so it can live with the fixed elements like brick and wood in a really stunning way.  Wrought Iron has an LRV of 6, so it’s dark!  Don’t be fooled…it’s just not as dark as true black.  It’s a slightly “off black” in a really sophisticated way.  You’re welcome.
  2. Sea Pearl:  Benjamin Moore hit the nail on the head with this one!  We love Sea Pearl for a million reasons but mostly because it works every time.  It has a very slight gray undertone (instead of yellow), but can still be neutral enough to use with warm fixed elements.  With an LRV of 77, it’s not too bright.  This color has soul!  Especially for people who hate yellow undertones…this one is perfect.
  3. Alabaster:  LRV of 82, Alabaster by Sherwin Williams starts to hint toward an Off-white without getting there entirely.  It has a warmth that is grounded by a neutral base so it isn’t creamy.  Great choice!  And let’s not forget, Alabaster was the color of the year in 2017.  
  4. Black Jack:  Black Jack is slightly more black than Wrought Iron, but still an off black.  With an LRV of 3.9, it’s darker than Wrought Iron, but still has some softness when compared with true black.  This is a bold choice for an exterior, but we are seeing it more and more as clients commit to black.  Edgy and cool…uncompromising style.  If White is Jake Ryan…safe and cool.  Black is Ariel in Footloose dancing in the church basement.  You get the point!  
  5. White Dove:  This is a brick&batten favorite by Benjamin Moore.  We use this color a lot on exteriors as it has some warmth and depth.  It’s close to Sherwin Williams Alabaster which is another favorite of ours.  With an LRV of 85, it will be slightly less bright than Simply White.
  6. Simply White:  Simply White by Benjamin Moore was 2016 Color of the Year and has steadily grown in popularity since that time.  It’s warm with the slightest hint of yellow.  The LRV of this color is 91 which is the Light Reflective Value.  In very simple terms, this can also be an indication of the “brightness” of a color.  100 is the highest value…so this color is bright.  However, having that slight yellow undertone helps keep the warmth. 
We always recommend sampling and testing paint colors before committing. Factors such as natural lighting, undertones, and your property’s fixed elements will have a significant impact on how a color will appear on your exterior. Our friends at Samplize offer extra-large 9 x 14.75 inch peel-and-stick paint samples of the colors we love for exteriors. Order your ‘Real Paint, No Mess’ samples from Samplize here.
Looks like Wrought Iron Benjamin Moore
Looks like Wrought Iron Benjamin Moore
Alabaster by Benjamin Moore
Alabaster by Benjamin Moore
Simply White
Simply White
Black Jack by Benjamin Moore

If you are updating your exterior and love the farmhouses with a modern twist, take a look at these colors and dive in!  We are obsessed with color and finding the perfect shade to live on the outside cohesively with the rest of your design.  We’d love to partner with you on this game changing exterior update.  Paint returns 100% of the investment when done right…we’d love to help you get it right!  Whether you are drawn to the edgy blacks or bright whites…brick&batten can show you what your house will look like before you ever pick up the brush!  Let’s get to work..  

Author

Alli’s passion for home design began during childhood when she’d accompany her father to various fixer-upper properties he was working on. Years later, Alli received a degree in physical therapy from Indiana University, but her love of design and personal need brought her back to the home design industry. Alli co-founded brick&batten in 2017 with her sister, Cassie, out of necessity. She was looking for a service like brick&batten for her own home, but one didn’t exist. Alli loves designing exteriors that inspire people. She’s also interested in real estate investment and enjoys creating exterior designs that will provide a great return on investment. Alli lives in Atlanta with her partner, three children, and their dogs. She loves to travel and often finds herself looking at houses in the areas she visits for inspiration and ideas.