Black Siding Update for Washington Home
By: Britteny
After owning her home for 10 years, Margaret D. felt it was time to update its exterior. Margaret discovered us on Instagram and felt we’d be the perfect partner to help her with her home transformation.
Margaret’s new exterior features black siding with lighter accents, plus some modern design elements that come together to achieve the updated look she desired. Keep reading to see her home before she started renovations, check out the designs we created for her, and learn all about how she brought our ideas to life.
From paint colors to patio enclosures to budget-friendly front porches, we’re here to help you visualize any and all updates to your home exterior. Our expert design recommendations will drastically improve your property’s curb appeal and turn your house into a place you’re proud to call home. Learn more about our virtual exterior design services.
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The before
The exterior of Margaret’s Craftsman-style home hadn’t been updated in two decades and was in dire need of a refresh. Margaret’s main focus was finding a fresh color palette, but she also wanted to update other design elements as well.
We knew that we needed to paint our home’s exterior, and based on brick&batten’s pictures and blog, we realized it was also time to update other elements of our exterior. We’ve owned the home for 10 years, and the former owners had completed an exterior remodel approximately 10 years before we purchased the home. So, we decided that after 20 years, the home needed a facelift.
While Margaret knew she wanted to update her exterior before she reached out to us, her husband wasn’t convinced — until he saw our designs.
My husband was 100 percent convinced once he saw the brick&batten renderings.
The design
In our first design, pictured above, we used Sherwin Williams’ Andiron — one of our top exterior house colors for 2023 — on the siding and Benjamin Moore’s November Rain on the siding around the entry. We love how Andiron, a deep olive green, complements the soft green undertones of November Rain.
We also suggested painting the columns, trim, and windows with Benjamin Moore’s Cloud White and the brackets with Sherwin Williams’ Tricorn Black.
Like many of our clients, Margaret elected to have us put together two color palette options for her home.
The process was so easy. I filled out the form and decided to have two exterior paint colors recommended. This was a great decision.
Our second option shows Sherwin Williams’ Inkwell on the siding and November Rain on the siding around the entry. Inkwell, a moody black hue, offers a more dramatic look than Andiron. We stuck with Tricorn Black on the brackets but recommended Sherwin Williams’ Greek Villa on the columns, trim, and windows. We absolutely love how the black siding makes these accents pop.
Both design options feature a modern cable railing for the Juliet balcony, copper gutters, new light fixtures, planters, and fresh landscaping. Other small details, like the modern house numbers, a rug with earthy colors and a Southwestern pattern, and a comfy chair, elevate the entrance and make it more inviting.
We loved that the designer listened to us. We stayed true to the beauty of our craftsman-styled home but really updated its look.
The process
Margaret hired a team of contractors to bring her brick&batten design to life. Everyone working on the project used our rendering as a guide, and Margaret said she also used it to order several of the products we recommended, including the light fixtures and cable railing.
To ensure she picked the perfect color palette, Margaret said she put samples of the colors we recommended on her exterior. (Testing paint colors on your home exterior — even after you’ve seen them in your brick&batten design — is super important. And now it’s easier than ever thanks to Samplize. Check out our guide to using Samplize paint color samples here.)
Our painter was awesome and was really excited about the project. We thought we’d choose [design] option #1, but we ended up loving option #2.
P.S. While Margaret’s husband sourced the contractors for their project because he works in commercial real estate and had lots of contacts, we know that’s not the case for every homeowner. That’s why we created the brick&batten Pro Network. We match clients who are ready to update their exteriors with professionals who can do the work. If you’re a pro who’s interested in joining, you can learn more here.
The actual after
Margaret moved forward with our second option, which featured black siding with a light gray entry area. Dark exterior paint colors are growing in popularity, and we’re thrilled that Margaret embraced a darker hue for her home. Using a dark color on part of your home and a lighter shade on the rest — like Margaret did — is a great option if you’re hesitant to fully commit to a dark palette.
We realize now how outdated our old paint scheme was. We really love the color Inkwell by Benjamin Moore. We would have never chosen this color on our own. Depending on the light, it can read black, blackish-blue or blue. It’s really beautiful against the Seattle sky and the greenery.
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.
Margaret’s home renovation provides proof you don’t need to make major structural changes to transform your exterior. Sometimes subtle updates like a fresh color palette can breathe new life into a home. (We believe so strongly in the power of paint that we created a package for homeowners who only want help picking new exterior paint colors. Check out our Paint Visualizer here.)
While she still needs to update the landscaping, Margaret said she loves her updated exterior. She told us the front porch is her favorite part — and we can totally see why!
The front porch is our favorite transformation. The painting scheme really draws your eye to the porch, and with the new lighting, chairs, and colorful pots, it’s really beautiful and welcoming.
Black siding revitalizes dated Craftsman home
A new color palette and products handpicked by our designers transformed Margaret’s home exterior. She and her husband aren’t the only ones enjoying the new look though.
Our neighbors love it. We live in a neighborhood that’s extremely popular with runners and walkers. We’ve had lots of compliments and we’ve seen several neighbors taking pictures of our home.
Want to see more client stories like Margaret’s? You can check out the latest posts here.
Exterior paint can transform your home exterior. But picking the perfect color can be tricky — unless you partner with experts like us. We’ll select the shades we think are right for your home and show you what they’ll look like on your exterior before you commit. Begin your exterior design project today.
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