Black Stucco House Exterior Transformation in California
By: Hannah Warne
Kristina A. and her husband live in a historic California beach town. And while many of the homes have the same coastal look, they wanted instead to opt for something a bit bolder: A black stucco house. While she was a bit intimidated by going to the dark side, Kristina knew it would set her home apart in her neighborhood.
We tried driving around town for inspiration, but nothing really caught our eye. We live in a city that is famous for its white stucco and red roofs, so ‘updated historic craftsman’ wasn’t easily found.
Though Kristina had a general sense of the look and feel she was going for, she wanted to ensure she chose a color palette that also meshed well with the surrounding homes. To make the process simpler from the start, she decided to work with brick&batten to help hone in on the best color palette for her locale.
Whether you want a traditional color palette or are in search of something a bit more unexpected, our team of experienced designers can help bring your exterior vision to life. They will help you choose everything from the color palette to the finishes and other design details to totally transform the look and feel of your home. Learn more about our virtual exterior design services.
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The before
Before renovations, Kristina’s stucco home featured gray paint with green undertones and bright white trim. A gray roof, brick walkway, and white windows completed the look. For a dramatic change, she knew she wanted to take her exterior in one of two completely different directions: Light and bright or dark and dramatic.
Going from a medium-toned color to something either VERY bright or VERY dark was a very scary prospect for us. We wanted a look that was fresh and modern, while still honoring the history of our 100-year-old home.
She explained her preferences to the brick&batten team, and they created two different design approaches to fit both of her chosen aesthetics.
The design
Our team created two dramatically different color palettes for Kristina’s exterior so she could visualize what both a dark and a light palette might look like.
For the lighter palette, we recommended Eider White by Sherwin Williams for the stucco, trim, and fascia. This off-white hue is one of our favorites thanks to its cool purple undertones that help avoid a yellow look. Because of the cool base, it pairs perfectly with other cool tones like black or blue. With a light reflective value of 73, it’s also a bright shade that isn’t too bright. Instead, it adds airiness and lightness without looking stark.
To create some contrast in Kristina’s exterior, our designers recommended black accents throughout, including the gutters, light fixtures, windows, and roof shingles. Wooden beams and a wooden front door added an organic element that infused the exterior with a hint of warmth.
As a darker design alternative, our team also recommended a second palette with Hale Navy by Benjamin Moore as the primary shade. This deep, cool-toned navy blue has a light reflective value of 6.83, making it a super dark hue. But because it is free of any undertones, it doesn’t look too black or intimidating like some other navy shades might. Instead, you get a beautiful, true blue shade that looks stunning in any light.
To complement Hale Navy, our team again recommended Eider White for the trim and fascia. Like in the lighter version, they also recommended black accents for the windows, lighting, and roof, along with wooden beams for the front porch and a beautiful wooden front door.
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.
The process
When it came time to make a final decision on their color palette, Kristina and her husband decided they liked the drama of the darker color scheme. Instead of Hale Navy, however, they opted instead to use Raccoon Fur by Benjamin Moore as their primary color to create a bold black stucco house that stood out. This chameleon-like color looks different depending on the light, sometimes appearing dark gray and other times more of a slate.
We didn’t use the exact color scheme from the process, but it was a jumping point for us to see that bold could be very beautiful even in a beach town.
To bring their exterior to life, Kristina used a combination of DIY projects and professional support. After painting, sourcing copper accents for their exterior, adding metal roofing, and adding new gutters, her new exterior was complete.
The actual after
Once Kristina saw the final results of her renovation, she was blown away by the change.
At first, the thought of painting our house a dramatic color sounded absolutely terrifying. Painting the exterior of your house is a lot of money and not money you want to spend twice. But I work from the front bedroom and cannot tell you the number of people I have watched stop in front of our house to take pictures. I also get compliments every time I’m out in the yard.
The combination of Raccoon Fur stucco and shining copper accents created the effortlessly modern look she was hoping for. When paired with the natural wooden front door, brick walkway, and beautiful landscaping, Kristina’s exterior quickly became a neighborhood favorite.
We’ve even had friends of our neighbors (who don’t even live here!) ask about the color scheme with the desire to apply this to their homes in other parts of the country. It’s unique while still understated, and I love how the color seems to shift with the time of day. It’s also really made all the colors in my garden POP!
A bold, black stucco house that stands out
While many of Kristina’s neighbors have the light and airy exteriors expected in a coastal town, she is ecstatic that she opted for something a bit different. Finished in Raccoon Fur, her stucco home stands out from the crowd and instantly captures attention. And by adding copper fixtures, house numbers, and gutters — along with a new metal roof — she infused her home with a few modern, industrial elements to make it feel even more unique.
These strategic design decisions were able to help her and her family transform their classic Craftsman home exterior from one that blended into the background to one that is the talk of the neighborhood.
Ready to upgrade your business exterior or transform your black stucco house? The brick&batten team is standing by to make your dream exterior a reality! Whether you want a bold dark color palette or prefer a light and airy look, our team will work with you to expertly bring your design vision to life. Start your project today!
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