Are you building a home? Renovating an existing property? It’s funny. I haven’t noticed too much residential construction in my neighborhood. I imagine this will change soon with the increasing demand and low real estate inventory. Will such new construction resemble the timeless manse majesty we see in this parade of fantasy façade inspiration? Hahaha. Not likely. That won’t stop us from marveling at the wonder of architectural excellence, admiring traditional style, and collecting color stories to pin for future reference…
![Beautiful Buckhead traditional classic house exterior in Atlanta. Sotheby's Realty #facadelovers #residentialarchitecture](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/0001-rebel-trail-sandy-springs-atlanta-house-008.jpg)
Also discover a handful of new-to-me exact paint colors from a handful of these beauties!
Fantasy Façade Inspiration: 42 Unforgettable Homes
Homes/Photography: Sotheby’s Realty, unless otherwise noted
![Beautiful Buckhead traditional classic house exterior in Atlanta. Sotheby's Realty #facadelovers #residentialarchitecture](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/001-675-west-paces-ferry-rd-atlanta-house-exterior-7.jpg)
Traditional White House Exteriors & Painted Brick
Are you tired of seeing white brick homes yet?
![Beautiful traditional white Southern home with awnings (Caroline Gidiere Design and architect James Carter). #carolinegidiere #whitefacades](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/001-carolinegidieredesign-house-exterior-awnings-alabama-james-carter.jpg)
Because I’m not!
![Beautiful Buckhead traditional classic house exterior in Atlanta. Sotheby's Realty #facadelovers #residentialarchitecture](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/001-valley-rd-nw-atlanta-house-exterior.jpg)
In fact, I just saw a post from Martha Stewart that said there are a ton of good reasons for painting your brick.
It surprised me, but so often we don’t always know the history of such design moves.
![Beautiful Buckhead traditional classic house exterior in Atlanta. Sotheby's Realty #facadelovers #residentialarchitecture](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/001-valley-rd-nw-atlanta-house-exterior-5.jpg)
We tend to assume that when a particular look is trending, it must be new and not historically appropriate.
![Stately white painted Victorian home has breathtaking architecture and curb appeal in the lower Garden District of New Orleans. #houseexterior #victorianhouses #beautifulwhitehouse #historichome #curbappeal #frontporch](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Tara-Shaw-Soul-of-the-Home-book-white-Victorian-house-exterior-front-porch.jpeg)
Here are tips from Martha.
![Thomas O'Brien's 1833 Long Island home - Veranda (Francesco Lagnese).](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/thomas-obrien-1833-long-island-house-exterior-veranda-fracesco-lagnese.jpg)
I’m not so sure I am ready to whitewash my own brick house. Since it is going from essentially a maintenance free surface to a bit of maintenance, it’s worth taking a good long look at the pros and cons.
![Beautiful Buckhead traditional classic house exterior in Atlanta. Sotheby's Realty #facadelovers #residentialarchitecture](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/001-valley-rd-nw-atlanta-house-exterior-4.jpg)
Also, I think there are some cases where it is more obvious than others that paint will improve the look of the home.
![White exterior - Southern Home Magazine (John Ohagan photo)](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/southernhomemagazine-john-ohagan-photo.jpg)
What’s your opinion? Do you like the look of traditional red brick?
The Warmth of Stone
![Beautiful Buckhead traditional classic house exterior in Atlanta. Sotheby's Realty #facadelovers #residentialarchitecture](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/001-valley-rd-nw-atlanta-house-exterior-3.jpg)
Ideas for Paint Colors for Siding, Doors & Trim
I love it when designers share exact paint colors, and I’m sharing a few new-to-me colors in this collection.
![Benjamin Moore James River Gray and White Ice on a lovely Palm Beach house (Phoebe Howard and Roger Patton Janssen) in Veranda.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/phoebe-howard-roger-patton-janssen-palm-beach-house-exterior-bm-james-river-white-ice-veranda.jpg)
The gate and shutters on this Palm Beach house are James River Gray:
And even though I thought I knew every white paint color in the Milky Way…nope. Here’s one to sample called WHITE ICE which you see on the stucco above:
White Ice has a light reflectance value (LRV) of 83.79 so it’s going to reflect a ton of light. In fact, for an exterior, it may feel a bit too bright. With its blue undertones, it has a quality similar to Benjamin Moore White OC-151.
![Beautiful Buckhead traditional classic house exterior in Atlanta. Sotheby's Realty #facadelovers #residentialarchitecture](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/001-valley-rd-nw-atlanta-house-exterior-2.jpg)
You may remember I painted our former home’s interiors OC-151.
![Lovely pool house with architectural magnificence - Peter Dunham & Forest Studio in Veranda.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/peter-dunham-forest-studio-veranda-white-house-exterior-pool-david-tsay.jpg)
White Houses That Aren’t Actually White
The thing about white painted exteriors is that what we perceive as “white” may actually be a light grey paint color.
![Beautiful Buckhead traditional classic house exterior in Atlanta. Sotheby's Realty #facadelovers #residentialarchitecture](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/001-dellwood-atlanta-house-exterior.jpg)
Even this facade above which appears to be white with contrasting light grey shutters could easily be a light gray such as BM Classic Gray.
![1884 New Orleans house exterior with architecture by William Sonner - Veranda. #whitehouseexteriors](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/new-orleans-1884-william-sonner-veranda-white-house-exterior.jpg)
Do you like it when designers choose to paint the shutters the same color as the facade?
![2020 Southeastern Designer Showhouse 'Villa Flora' painted BM Seapearl and trim Pashmina. #paintcolors #benjaminmooreseapearl #benjaminmoorepashmina](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/southeastern-designer-showhouse-2020-exterior-david-christensen-atlanta-homes-lifestyles-villa-flora.jpg)
One way it helps to study house exterior inspiration is to notice what your eye is drawn to. High contrast between trim and siding?
Low contrast or no contrast?
It’s interesting to note how much darker the Pashmina swatch looks compared to the painted doors on Villa Flora above.
![Beautiful Buckhead traditional classic house exterior in Atlanta. Sotheby's Realty #facadelovers #residentialarchitecture](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/0001-rebel-trail-sandy-springs-atlanta-house-006.jpg)
Keep These Paint Tips in Mind
Exterior colors will truly be washed out so don’t be surprised if you choose a color that appears very dark in the can!
![Lovely timeless white house exterior - My Design Chic. #facadelovers](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/mydesignchic-white-house-exterior.jpg)
No matter what look you decide upon, make sure to sample sample sample before you ever make the final decision.
![Beautiful Buckhead traditional classic house exterior in Atlanta. Sotheby's Realty #facadelovers #residentialarchitecture](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/001-3594-tuxedo-ct-atlanta-ga-house-exterior.jpg)
Because it is one thing to stand in a hardware store under fluorescent lights viewing little cardstock swatches of color…
![Lovely white house facade with shutters - The Potted Boxwood.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/mydesignchic-white-house-exterior-aqua-shutters.jpg)
and quite another to see a color in natural light in your unique location.
![Beautiful Buckhead traditional classic house exterior in Atlanta. Sotheby's Realty #facadelovers #residentialarchitecture](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/001-3073-E-Pine-Valley-Rd-Atlanta-house-exterior.jpg)
It’s one of the reasons peel and stick samples from Samplize are such a brilliant innovation.
![Lovely white house facade with shutters - The Potted Boxwood.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/mydesignchic-white-house-exterior-2.jpg)
You no longer have to settle for tiny little paint chips or messy pots of paint.
![Mark D. Sikes Pacific Palisades house exterior in Veranda (Max Kim-Bee).](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/mark-d-sikes-pacific-palisades-house-exterior-veranda-max-kimbee.jpg)
Here’s one of my favorite combinations of colors for an exterior.
A warm white with a cool neutral for trim/shutters is just so pretty and classic. Isn’t it a timeless romantic look? Do you prefer warmer tones and sturdier, more masculine tones?
![Beautiful Buckhead traditional classic house exterior in Atlanta. Sotheby's Realty #facadelovers #residentialarchitecture](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/001-675-west-paces-ferry-rd-atlanta-house-exterior-4.jpg)
Yet another reason to browse inspiration images online to get a feel for the aesthetic that feels right for you and your home.
![Pamela Pierce Houston home (a 1926 stucco manse) - Veranda (photo: Laura Resen). #pamelapierce](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/veranda-mag-pamela-pierce-white-house-exterior-houston.jpg)
For example, if you just want your home to feel like a beautiful traditional wedding cake…
![Beautiful Buckhead traditional classic house exterior in Atlanta. Sotheby's Realty #facadelovers #residentialarchitecture](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/001-100-valley-rd-nw-atlanta-house-exterior.jpg)
yum!
Bold Front Door Color
And how about the front door? Do you love a boldly surprising entrance?
![Miles Redd Victorian ivy covered home exterior with bright blue door (Benjamin Moore Skyscraper).](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/miles-redd-victorian-home-exterior-ivy-benjamin-moore-skyscraper-front-door.jpg)
I had never heard of this blue, and doesn’t it remind you of a Toy Story sky?
So unexpected on that ivy-covered charmer above!
![Beautiful Buckhead traditional classic house exterior in Atlanta. Sotheby's Realty #facadelovers #residentialarchitecture](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/001-675-west-paces-ferry-rd-atlanta-house-exterior-2.jpg)
Did someone say ivy?
Ooh la la!
![Beautiful Buckhead traditional classic house exterior in Atlanta. Sotheby's Realty #facadelovers #residentialarchitecture](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/001-50-valley-rd-buckhead-atlanta-tuxedo-park-lewis-crook-house-exterior.jpg)
I have always loved a classic black front door.
![Beautiful Buckhead traditional classic house exterior in Atlanta. Sotheby's Realty #facadelovers #residentialarchitecture](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/001-50-valley-rd-buckhead-atlanta-tuxedo-park-lewis-crook-house-exterior-3.jpg)
Just so gorgeous with wrought iron and black accents.
![Beautiful Buckhead traditional classic house exterior in Atlanta. Sotheby's Realty #facadelovers #residentialarchitecture](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/001-50-valley-rd-buckhead-atlanta-tuxedo-park-lewis-crook-house-exterior-2.jpg)
And isn’t black a lovely contrast above and below…
![David Netto's 1920s Colonial house exterior in Veranda (Francesco Lagnese).](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/david-netto-1930s-colonial-white-exterior-veranda-francesco-lagnese.jpg)
and also here:
![Sherwin Williams Spare White painted facade - Marcelle Guilbaut](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/marcelle-guilbaut-sherwin-williams-spare-white-house-exterior.jpg)
Another new to me white!
I thought this was an unusual whitewash or limewash treatment for the brick siding:
![Benjamin Moore Glacier White on siding of Georgian house by James Carter in Veranda (photo by Annie Schlechter).](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/james-carter-georgian-house-exterior-benjamin-moore-glacier-white-veranda-annie-schlechter.jpg)
The painted siding on the garage side is BM Glacier White:
While the beautiful new build below (it only looks like a 1920s home!) has a custom color, it reminds me of Glacier White.
![White Georgian exterior by James Carter and Caroline Gidiere - Veranda.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/james-carter-caroline-gidiere-white-georgian-exterior-veranda.jpg)
However, the homeowner says the color is closest to Benjamin Moore Gray Mist:
Love Contrast for the Shutters?
Oh, I could get used to this tropical paradise:
![Lovely exterior with green shutters - Gil Schaefer HOME AT LAST. #whitefacade](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/gil-schaefer-home-at-last-exterior-green-shutters.jpg)
![Gil Schaefer HOME AT LAST (Rizzoli, 2024) book cover. #homeatlast](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/home-at-last-gil-schaefer-book-cover.jpg)
Oh so lush!
![Beautiful Buckhead traditional classic house exterior in Atlanta. Sotheby's Realty #facadelovers #residentialarchitecture](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/001-675-west-paces-ferry-rd-atlanta-house-exterior-6.jpg)
Try These White Colors for Your House Exterior
I’m always telling you to not become enamored with a paint color just because it has a name that appeals to you…
![SW Gossamer Veil on a lovely house exterior - Boyce Design & Contracting](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/boyce-design-and-contracting-sherwin-williams-gossamer-veil-house-exterior.jpg)
but I have a crush on this color name!
Isn’t that a fabulous description of that serene hue?
![Benjamin Moore Acadia White on a lovely Victorian home exterior - Kate Cordsen in Veranda (Bjorn Wallander)](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/bm-acadia-white-kate-cordsen-white-victorian-exterior-veranda-bjorn-wallander-photo.jpg)
Here’s one more new to me white:
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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