A few months ago, over on Remodelista, the editors praised the power of paint for its ability to instantly reframe an interior space without committing to a full remodel. To prove their point, architectural and interior designer Katie Hackworth weighed in with three no-fail color palettes for a room’s ceiling, walls, and trim (see her picks here). It got us thinking: Could a fresh coat of paint provide an instant curb appeal upgrade as well? We went back to Katie to ask her advice and she responded right away with a resounding “YES!” and a few of her favorite exterior color combinations for your façade, exterior trim, and front door.
Photography by Mel Walbridge for Gardenista. Produced and styled by Oliver Agger.
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
Classic White
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
For a classic, can’t-go-wrong white palette, Katie leans towards whites that have some warmth, without reading yellow or pink. “Lately, I been gravitating toward painting the main house and the trim the same color, but with different sheens,” she says. “Whether your home is traditionally detailed or more pared down, it’s a timeless way to modernize the overall look.”
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
Dark & Moody
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
For a dose of drama that still reads classic, Katie designed a palette anchored by a navy blue main house color. “Navy just might be my all-time favorite color,” she says. “These days, I’m seeing it more and more frequently on the exteriors of homes.”
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
Going Green
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
For a non-white palette, Katie chose a muted gray-green (the new neutral, if you ask us), accented by a putty tone for the exterior trim. “Putty is the cool, classic term for beige in my book,” Katie admits. “It sounds so much better, don’t you think?”
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
All of Katie’s no-fail palettes are fairly neutral—classic combinations that don’t call attention to themselves. If you’re up for making a statement, stay tuned in the next few weeks for her favorite bold front door colors.