By now you probably know how thrilled we are with the transformation after painting our brick house white last fall. It’s been one of our favorite makeovers in our years of homeownership. For anyone considering a similar change, we wanted to share what we learned, a few tips, and some spring photos of the house—seeing the white brick framed by blooming dogwoods was genuinely emotional.
First, a caveat: we don’t think every brick should be painted. Beautiful, historic, or well-laid brick can be stunning left natural. We still love exposed century-old chimneys or reclaimed brick steps on other houses. But the brick on this house felt dated and uneven—an early-eighties mix of maroon and dark brown with yellow-beige mortar and awkward tooling marks. A white paint swatch immediately neutralized those issues and gave the facade a classic, stately look.
There are many types of brick. Some are perfect as-is and others are not what you’d choose. If you dislike your brick, trust your instincts. If you’re unsure about painting, don’t rush it. But if you’re certain—like we were—that confidence is a good sign you’ll be happy with the result. Looking back, we have zero regrets and only wish we had done it sooner.
Even when you’re convinced, painting brick is a big decision. We wrestled with common concerns: What if we regret it? What if we don’t like the color? Will maintenance be harder? Is it expensive? Now that the project is complete, none of those worries ended up being an issue for us. We’re far more in love with the after than we expected to be.
A major factor that gave us confidence was finding a suitable paint product designed specifically for masonry. Many of you recommended a breathable mineral masonry paint called Romabio Masonry Flat (formerly Boidomus I). Unlike conventional latex paints, mineral masonry paint lets brick breathe so it’s less prone to cracking, peeling, or trapping moisture. That feature alone made us comfortable moving forward.
We learned several benefits of this type of paint: it comes with a long warranty, is eco-friendlier than some alternatives, resists mold naturally, and provides a beautiful matte finish that reads classic rather than shiny. As our professional painter put it, “it’s like painting brick with brick.” That description helped justify the investment.
After painting the house, we were invited to help curate a small collection of exterior masonry colors to simplify choices for other homeowners. Choosing an exterior color can be paralyzing, so narrowing options to a thoughtful, real-world palette felt useful. We focused on classic neutrals—greiges, warm grays, khakis, and sand tones—plus a few muted blues, greens, and a subtle blush. Mineral paints are made from natural materials, so they tend not to go very dark; this actually helps with durability and fading resistance outdoors.
We drew inspiration from historic painted-brick neighborhoods in our hometown, where you can find many tasteful color approaches. We tested swatches in real-world conditions, walking streets with our samples in hand and making adjustments based on how colors read in sunlight and next to existing trim and roofs. Too much saturation can look garish on a whole house, so we favor colors with a touch of gray or tan to keep them grounded.
Note: mineral masonry paint has natural limits on darkness and saturation, which helps maintain durability and resist fading over time.
We narrowed a wide field of possibilities to a concise selection of colors, then reviewed painted swatches and sample boards to finalize the collection. The goal was to reduce overwhelm—offering thoughtful, distinct options rather than dozens of nearly identical shades.
While surveying other painted brick homes, we also saw examples where conventional latex paint had failed—shiny finishes, cracking, and peeling caused by trapped moisture. That reinforced our preference for a breathable masonry product for long-term performance.
For our own project, we tested many swatches directly on brick sample boards and on the house before making the final decision. Color matching between brands can be imperfect because of different pigments and bases, so having the paint mixed in the same masonry formula that will be applied to the house helps ensure a consistent result. We ultimately chose a white we named “Richmond White.” It balances warmth and brightness without feeling too stark, and it pairs nicely with crisp trim.
We also had a lot of fun naming the colors in the collection—choosing names that felt both charming and something you’d be proud to see on your home. The naming process was a lighthearted final step after all the careful color work.
If you’re planning to paint brick, test samples on actual masonry, confirm whether a primer is needed for your situation, and choose a product designed for brick so moisture can escape. Mineral masonry paint is a durable, breathable option that can produce a beautiful, matte, historic-looking finish when applied correctly.
If you use any of the colors from our collection, we’d love to see photos—please send them our way or tag them so we can admire your project. Painting our brick was a big step, but the right product, careful testing, and thoughtful color choices made all the difference. We couldn’t be happier with how it turned out.
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