We’re not sure how many of you are elbow-deep in a turkey right now (okay, that sounded awkward), but we love a good group brainstorming session. If you’re around, Wendy would appreciate your ideas. She’s ready to tackle an exterior refresh and promised before-and-after photos when it’s done — hopefully soon. Here’s her note:
I’ve been reading since the early days and I’m so excited about this group advice feature. We’ve lived in our two-story brick house for about four years and the trim is peeling badly — it desperately needs repainting, but we can’t commit to a color. The current off-white feels stale and our style isn’t very traditional, though the house itself leans classic. We have an HOA, so we can’t get too extreme, but I’d love to inject some personality and curb appeal — maybe a bright front door? One complication: our brick skews orange rather than red. What door, shutter, and trim colors would work with that? I’d love to paint the brick someday, but for now I need ideas that work with the existing color. Thanks! — Wendy (and Mike, Lucas, and Jackson)
After studying Wendy’s photo, I popped it into Photoshop to test a few possibilities. Below are several curated directions that respond to the orange-toned brick while keeping the overall look cohesive and HOA-friendly.
- Crisp white trim — Replacing the off-white with clean white sharpens the façade without being dramatic. It modernizes the house while staying neutral enough for an HOA.
- Glossy red door — A bold, glossy red can actually make orange brick read less orange by contrast. A vivid red in semi-gloss feels classic but punchy — pair it with white trim and simple landscaping for balance.
- Accents and plantings — Add a cluster of red tulips or seasonal bedding to echo the door color, plus potted plants and topiaries for structure. These touches increase curb appeal and can be updated seasonally.
- Hardware and lighting — Hang oversized, weighty porch lanterns and choose a distinctive doorknocker or knob to give the entry some personality. A scripty house number above the portico can add charm and a finished look.
- Neutral steps — Paint the porch steps a warm neutral mocha to tone down the existing brick color on the top step and anchor the entry visually.
Another direction to consider is a deep navy entryway. A navy door can feel fresh and sophisticated against orange-tinted brick, especially when the shutters are a darker charcoal-blue to create depth without stark black contrast.
- Deep navy door — Try shades like Regatta (Sherwin-Williams) or Hale Navy (Benjamin Moore) in satin or semi-gloss for a modern, timeless entry.
- Charcoal-navy shutters — Paint shutters a few shades darker than the door to keep the palette cohesive and to avoid a heavy black look.
- Simple planters and hanging baskets — Clean-lined planters and hanging flower baskets soften the entry and add height and texture.
If you want something brighter and more playful, a spring green door can tie into surrounding landscaping and feel fresh against warm brick. Go with white trim to keep the overall look light and modern.
- Spring green door — A leafy, slightly muted green (think Lemon Grass tones) complements nearby greenery and reads natural rather than out of place.
- White shutters and trim — White shutters with green doors create a crisp, contemporary contrast that still feels approachable.
- Climbing plants and porch greenery — Add vines or soft climbers that won’t damage brick or wood, plus tall topiaries for scale and vertical interest.
Additional palette ideas to try:
- Dark charcoal shutters, white trim, and a glossy plum door for a moody, elegant look.
- Robin’s egg blue door with navy shutters and white trim for a cheerful, coastal-inspired touch.
- Add window boxes for extra color and seasonal planting options.
- Prioritize a standout doorknocker or unique hardware to personalize the entry without changing major architectural elements.
For a bit of humor, my daughter Clara suggested purple bushes and blue bricks — not exactly within the “leave the brick as-is” brief, but a reminder that playful ideas can inspire creative directions.
Which direction do you like for Wendy: Team Red, Team Navy, Team Green, or something else entirely? Share your thoughts and color suggestions — and feel free to mock up options if you want to show visual ideas. Picture me passing you the keyboard!
Have a tricky room or exterior dilemma? Send at least three photos of the space, a quick sketch of the floor plan, and a short description of the problem to [email protected] for a chance to be featured.