Showhouse Exterior: Choosing the Paint and Front Door Color

When we last shared an update about the Habitat for Humanity showhouse we’re helping with, the exterior was mostly finished and waiting for paint. A rare three-week stretch of snow in Richmond delayed some of our updates, but we kept selecting fixtures, tile, and cabinetry while we waited. Now that the weather finally cooperated, we were able to pick the exterior color—and we’re excited to share the decision and the process.

From the start we wanted a navy-inspired siding with crisp, light-colored trim and rustic accents such as chunky wood porch beams and stone around the foundation. The builder loved the navy concept, so our job was to select the exact shade so his crew could paint. We began by bringing a large stack of swatches to the job site and holding each one up to different planes of the house—front, side, and gables—to see how each looked in natural light. Below are the nine swatches we tested on site.

Some options were eliminated right away: Gravel Gray and Polo Blue read almost black on the house, Westcott Navy skewed a touch too gray, and Van Deusen Blue looked lighter than we expected. After narrowing the list, three contenders remained:

We liked that Hale Navy had charcoal undertones, Gentleman’s Gray was a straightforward rich navy, and Newburg Green was slightly lighter with a subtle green cast. That range gave us useful contrasts instead of three nearly identical navies. To see how they would actually read on the house, we brought home three test pots to paint directly on the siding.

Clara helped mix, and we brushed each color onto the siding in separate panels. We applied two coats to get a true sense of each shade once dry.

Phone photos on a cloudy day don’t capture every nuance, but once the samples dried it was clear that Hale Navy and Gentleman’s Gray felt darker, deeper, and a bit more formal. Newburg Green read lighter and friendlier—less “midnight” and more approachable. It also offered a bit more contrast with the roof, which we liked since the darker navies risked blending in.

Ultimately we chose Newburg Green for the siding. For trim, we selected Steam, a warm white that looks clean without being overly stark. The combination brings out the architecture—those two round gable windows are especially charming—and highlights the house’s thick trim and details.

Here she is painted and looking lovely. We still have a few unfinished elements, like chunky columns that will sit above the stone porch pillars. Those beams will be sealed to a slightly deeper, warm tone that complements the siding.

Landscaping will further integrate the house into its surroundings, softening the abruptness of fresh construction and making the home feel settled in the lot.

The front door, however, is still undecided. It arrived pre-finished in a tone that can’t be stained, so we experimented digitally with over two dozen color options to narrow the field. Photoshop mock-ups aren’t perfect—actual paint will have more depth—but they’re useful for exploring undertones and how a door color would pair with Newburg Green siding and Steam trim. We narrowed the choices to six finalists:

Note: Photoshop renderings are only a guide—real paint typically looks richer and more dimensional in person.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the door options we’re considering:

• Blue Steel: a green-leaning blue-gray, subtle and modern.
• Chocolate: a deep, warm brown that complements the porch beams and natural stone.
• Classic Red: a nautical, all-American pop for a bold accent.
• Plum: a rich, moody purple that reads as deep and sophisticated.
• Rust: a warm, orange-brown that echoes the wood tones and stone.
• Putty: a soft neutral that ties into the roof and stone palette.

We’d love input on the door direction—every option will read differently once the porch beams are installed and sealed, so final selection will wait until that work is complete.

VOTING ON THIS POLL HAS CLOSED

Inside the house, tile and hardwood installation is underway, and we’ve started sourcing furniture, rugs, and interior paint colors. We’ll share those updates as rooms take shape—expect photos and details soon.

Psst – Want to see the finished showhouse? Check out our full showhouse tour on the site for final photos, a room-by-room walk-through, the floor plan, budget notes, and the curated furniture and accessory selections.