When we last updated progress on the showhouse we’re creating for Habitat for Humanity, the exterior was nearly finished and waiting on paint. Then an unusual three-week snow stretch in Richmond slowed things down, so while we finalized fixtures, tile, and cabinetry, we couldn’t share our color decision—until now.
From the start we wanted a navy-inspired exterior with crisp light trim and rustic accents like chunky porch beams and stone at the foundation. The builder loved the navy concept and asked us to pick the exact shade so the painting crew could begin. We brought a wide selection of swatches to the job site and tested them against different faces of the house to see how each behaved in natural light. Below are the nine swatches we started with.
Several candidates were quickly eliminated: Gravel Gray and Polo Blue read almost black, Westcott Navy skewed a little too gray, and Van Deusen Blue appeared unexpectedly lighter. After narrowing the options, we were left with three strong contenders.
Hale Navy carried charcoal undertones, Gentleman’s Gray felt like a straightforward deep navy, and Newburg Green was slightly lighter with a faint green hint. That gave us a helpful range to compare, so we bought test pots and applied each color directly to the siding.
Clara helped with mixing and painting the samples so we could see them in real life rather than just on a card.
We brushed each swatch on carefully, labeled them, and applied two coats so the dry color would be accurate.
Clara even took part in the final touches.
These iPhone photos on a cloudy day don’t capture every nuance, but once the samples were fully dry it was clear Hale Navy and Gentleman’s Gray read darker and more intense, whereas Newburg Green felt less formal—lighter and slightly friendlier.
Newburg Green had a casual warmth that appealed to us. Gentleman’s Gray and Hale Navy would have been handsome, but Newburg Green stood out a bit more against the roof and didn’t risk blending in the way the darker options might.
So we chose Newburg Green for the siding and paired it with Steam for the trim. Steam reads like a clean, soft white—bright without being stark—which complements the house’s architecture.
Here she is freshly painted. We love how Newburg Green plays with the roof tone and Steam trim, and how it highlights the architectural details like the round windows in the peaks. There are still finishing touches to go—chunky columns will be installed above the stone pillars on the porch and the exposed wood will be sealed to a slightly richer, warm finish.
Landscaping will further integrate the house with its surroundings and soften that “just built” look into something settled and inviting.
We’re also deciding on a front door color and wanted feedback. The door arrived in an existing tone that can’t be stained, so we experimented with over two dozen color options digitally and narrowed them to six finalists. Some combinations we expected to like didn’t work, while unexpected hues looked great—proof that testing is invaluable.
Note: Photoshop renderings are illustrative; the real painted door will have more depth and dimension.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the door options. One is a greeny blue-gray we’re calling Blue Steel—subtle and sophisticated. Another sits in the chocolate range, offering a warm, grounded look. We also considered a classic red for a nautical, all-American vibe.
We also tested a rich plum for a moody, elegant touch and a rust-toned hue to echo the stone and future porch beams. Finally, we tried a putty shade to coordinate with the roof and the stone palette.
We’ll finalize the door color once the porch beams are installed and sealed so the finish coordinates perfectly. In the meantime, we’d love to know which direction you prefer.
VOTING ON THIS POLL HAS CLOSED
Inside the house, tile and hardwoods are going in and we’ve started sourcing furniture and rugs while selecting interior paint colors. We’re excited to share the next phase of progress in the coming weeks.