After a year and a half in our home, the exterior finally looks the way we envisioned. Starting with a new yard and a house you didn’t build brings a steep learning curve, but we’ve reached the point where everything feels finished and right.
And, perhaps to the surprise of some, we chose not to paint the red brick. I’ve come to really love the red brick look. While painted white brick is beautiful, we decided to keep the natural brick and update the trim and shutters instead.
When we moved in about 18 months ago, our Cape Cod–style brick home had yellow trim and hunter green shutters—a very 1990s look. I like green, but the shutters felt dated, and yellow has never been a favorite for our trim. Aside from the colors, I loved the house’s architectural details: the grand steps, real shutters, and two dormers. The grass was lush when we moved in, though the landscaping was a bit overgrown.
The first summer in the house we hired a lawn service to control weeds, but instead of improving the yard, they killed large patches of grass in the front. The front lawn turned brown in many areas—dead grass that needed a full fix. That motivated us to plan a spring refresh for this year.
Every time I pulled into the driveway it was a reminder the yard needed attention. I had previously shared my plans in my Home Goals 2021 post: one goal was to get a painting quote and update the yellow trim and green shutters. My intention was to use a favorite white for the trim and a deep charcoal or black for the shutters and door. To my delight, the painters finished the job by the end of April—so that goal was accomplished sooner than expected.
We hired painters in February, and they began work in mid to late April after scheduling and weather aligned. The full trim and shutter project took about three and a half days. I was very pleased with how efficient and professional the crew was.
What Type of Paint to Use
My painter asked that I supply the paint for the project. This approach ensured I got the exact colors and quality I wanted and avoided disputes about materials. Because they were doing the work, I didn’t want to cut corners on paint quality. The painters emphasized that cheaper paint sometimes requires many more coats and still performs poorly over time.
For the white trim I chose Valspar Duramax Exterior Paint in a satin finish from Lowe’s. It applied smoothly and has held up well so far. For the front door and shutters I wanted a precise color match, so I bought Benjamin Moore Exterior Regal Select in a soft gloss finish from a local dealer. The soft gloss sits between satin and high gloss, giving a durable yet not overly shiny finish—ideal for doors and shutters.
Is There Any Prep Before Painting the Exterior: Trim and Shutters?
Because this was my first time painting exterior trim on this house, I asked the painters about pressure washing the house beforehand. They said they would remove dirt and cobwebs with brushes as they worked and that a full pressure wash wasn’t necessary. Still, I felt more comfortable pressure washing the areas I could reach before painting. I rented a pressure washer and cleaned the porch, steps, and high-traffic spots to give the painters a cleaner surface to start with.
The After
Ready to see the result? I’m in love with the transformation.
Alongside the paint update, my husband laid new sod around the same time. The combination of fresh grass, trimmed landscaping, and crisp paint has made the house look so much better.
Here’s the “before” again for comparison:
The sod is still establishing roots and greening up; we haven’t mowed it yet, so it will only look better with time. We also hired a landscaper to prune and shape the overgrown shrubs. One large loropetalum had been spilling onto the sidewalk and needed a substantial trim; it will grow back fuller and more controlled.
I pressure-washed the brick stairs and iron railing, which refreshed their appearance. The black front door is a favorite of mine now; I might consider a wood door down the line, but the current look feels perfect for our home. I also started a small front porch refresh with new accessories and added an American flag for Memorial Day and the Fourth of July—simple touches that make the entry feel welcoming.
A close-up of the porch shows the contrast of the clean white trim, dark shutters, and the natural brick. Small updates like a fresh coat of paint and a well-kept lawn make a dramatic difference in curb appeal.
The Paint Colors I Used
Choosing exterior paint colors can be more challenging than selecting interior shades because sunlight changes the way colors read. For the trim, I chose Simply White by Benjamin Moore—my go-to white. It leans slightly creamy rather than stark, which suits the red brick nicely and avoids a harsh contrast.
Selecting the darker color for the shutters and door took more trial and error. I first tried a Benjamin Moore Graphite sample but found it too light. After sampling a few options, I settled on Onyx by Benjamin Moore. On the house it reads as a true black rather than a dark gray, which is exactly the bold, clean look I wanted.
Now that the shutters and door are painted Onyx, they appear almost purely black, which I love. If I repaint someday I might revisit the shade, but for now it’s exactly right and makes me smile every time I pull into the driveway.
Seeing the transformation reminds me how worthwhile it is to make a home look the way you love. Small investments in paint, landscaping, and a few finishing touches can dramatically boost curb appeal and personal satisfaction.
What do you think—would you paint brick white or keep it natural? Do you prefer painted brick or the original red brick look? Feel free to share your thoughts or ask questions in the comments below.
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