We all have that thing that bugs us, right? For me, the original exterior trim color on my brick house was that thing, and I’ve been wanting to update it for years. When I was drafting my 2024 project list, I put an exterior makeover on that list. But if I’m being honest, it felt like more of a daydream than a reality. And then when I went through my 2024 progress list it really started to feel out of reach with the remaining (nice) months left in 2024. But as I was finishing the primary bedroom project and thinking about what would be next, I decided to decide. After finishing the garage door install earlier this year, I was itching to add some more curb appeal to the exterior. So the exterior makeover jumped to the top of the list and here we are, reveal day!
The Moody Exterior Design
If you read my post last month about the design plans for the exterior, you already know that I had a darker trim color in mind but was still undecided on exactly which one it would be. After some serious paint sampling, and literally watching paint dry for days, it came down to Black Fox by Sherwin-Williams.
Shop the Exterior Mood Board
Don’t let the name deceive you! Black Fox is more of a charcoal grey with brown undertones. The deciding factor for me was how nicely it played with my new wood colored garage door, as well as with the darker bricks in the exterior. It was the best of both worlds! I got busy designing a mood board for the project and was able to see my vision take shape.
A change of plans
While I was gathering quotes for this project (and more on that later – I plan to share a full budget breakdown post in the future), I had also reached out to a local gutter company just to see what new gutters would cost. I had already hired the painters and they began pressure washing and even painting, but when the gutter quote came in much lower than expected, I decided to jump on it and just get it out of the way.
I never knew I could be so excited about gutters! Love how these black gutters compliment the rest of the exterior.
So the design changed just a touch, as originally the old gutters were going to be painted Black Fox, just like the trim and windows. But with the new gutters I had the option of a fresh color, so I opted for Black! The gutter company asked me several times if I was sure haha. I was very sure, and after installation they commented how beautifully the black gutters pop against the new dark trim.
The Final Touches on the Moody Exterior Makeover
After the professionals were done, I only had a few minor touches left to do myself. I chose to repaint the back deck flooring with a fresh coat of Cabot Deck Correct in Mission Brown. The old flooring had been weathered and with all these pretty updates to the exterior the deck stuck out like a sore thumb. This fresh coat of paint not only brings it up to speed from an aesthetic standpoint but will also protect the decking from the winter elements we’ll be getting soon. I also opted to add brass kickplates to both entry doors to protect the paint from dirt and debris that gathers. And I’m officially on the hunt for a vintage lion head door knocker. I think that will be the chef’s kiss on the front entrance!
The back deck Before + After
An update that will be coming later this year will be lighting. I decided that the existing exterior lights are scaled way too small for the size of this house. A general rule of thumb is they should be ¼ to 1/3 the size of your door. I had been thinking about ordering some fresh black lanterns like these, but after a little bit of online shopping I found some copper lanterns that I got instant heart eyes for. The bad news is they’re backordered until December 11th, so I’ll have to practice some patience. I’ll be sure to update everyone as soon as they arrive and I unbox them!
What’s Next?
As I had previously mentioned, the exterior project is so massive that I need to break it into different phases. With the painting (and ladders!) out of the way, the next phase will be focusing on landscaping. I’m going to spend the winter months really diving into research and thinking about what some of my dream flowers / greenery include. As well as due diligence to ensure they will perform well for my climate zone.
I also plan to give the pool deck more attention next year! I’m envisioning some new pool loungers and umbrellas, removing some of the existing gravel by the deck and replacing it with bricks or pavers, and maybe even an outdoor kitchen! The best part of design is letting your imagination run wild with possibilities. So with a fresh new exterior to be proud of, I’m going to do just that.
Still can’t get over this before + after. Here’s the front view.
And a before + after of the backside
Stay tuned for more updates on the exterior in the coming months and be on the lookout for more news on the next interior project. I promise, you won’t want to miss it!
A special thank you to Lowe’s Home Improvement, who sponsored this project by providing the paint.
