When we last reported on the showhouse we’re creating for Habitat for Humanity, the exterior was mostly finished and awaiting paint. A rare spell of three straight weeks of snow in Richmond slowed our updates, although we continued to finalize fixtures, tile, and cabinetry. Now that we’ve chosen the exterior color, we’re excited to share the decision and the process behind it.
From the beginning we envisioned a navy-inspired exterior with crisp, light trim and rustic accents—think chunky wood porch beams and stone around the foundation. The builder liked the concept, so our immediate task was to pick the exact navy shade so his crew could begin painting. To get it right we brought a wide assortment of swatches to the site and held them up against different parts of the house to see how they read in varying light. That hands-on comparison helped narrow the field quickly.
Some swatches were eliminated immediately: a few read almost black, others skewed too gray, and a couple appeared lighter or bluer than expected. After some debate we reduced the choices to three contenders that represented a useful range: a charcoal-leaning navy, a true navy, and a navy with a subtle green undertone. That range felt smart—it avoided three nearly identical samples and allowed us to see how small undertone shifts could change the entire feel.
Next we bought three test pots and painted them directly onto the siding. We applied two coats for each sample and waited for them to dry so the colors could reveal themselves honestly. These in-place tests, done on a cloudy day, still provided a truer read than swatches alone. The charcoal-leaning and pure navy options read darker and more intense; the green-leaning option felt lighter and less formal. In person, that greenish navy read as friendlier and more approachable, while the darker options seemed more serious and could have blended with the roof too much.
We ultimately chose the green-leaning navy—Newburg Green—for the body of the house. To complement it we selected Steam for the trim: a clean, soft white that reads crisp without being harsh or glaring. The combination highlights the architectural details—thick trim, the two round windows in the gables, and the home’s simple, handsome lines. There are still unfinished elements, like chunky columns that will rest above the stone porch pillars; once installed and sealed, that wood will deepen in tone and contribute a warm, rustic contrast to the painted surfaces.
Landscaping will also play a big role in settling the house into its lot. Thoughtful plantings will help the structure read as part of the neighborhood rather than something that suddenly appeared, and that integration will soften edges and add welcoming texture.
One big remaining decision is the front-door color. The door arrived in a neutral factory finish that can’t be stained, so we experimented with more than two dozen painted options digitally to see what might work best against the Newburg Green body and Steam trim. Photoshop mockups are only a guide, but they helped us narrow the field to six finalists that offer a range of moods: a blue-gray-green we’re calling Blue Steel; a warm chocolate tone; a classic nautical red; a rich plum; a rust tone that echoes the stone and future porch beams; and a putty shade that ties into the roof and stone colors.
Each door color creates a different personality for the house. Blue Steel leans modern and calm. Chocolate feels grounded and welcoming. Red would provide a bold, traditional contrast. Plum offers depth and an unexpected richness. Rust warms the palette and nods to the natural materials on site. Putty keeps the entry understated and cohesive with the roof and stone. We’ll wait to finalize the choice until the porch beams are installed and sealed so we can see everything together in person.
VOTING ON THIS POLL HAS CLOSED
Inside the house, tile and hardwood installation are underway and we’ve started hunting for furniture and rugs while pinning down interior paint selections. We’ll share those updates as rooms come together, and we’re already excited to show how the interior finishes complement the exterior palette.
Psst— If you want to see the finished showhouse tour when it’s ready, we’ll share the full reveal with photos of every room, the floor plan, budget highlights, and a walk-through. For now, we’re thrilled with the exterior: Newburg Green paired with Steam trim strikes the balance we wanted—friendly, architectural, and ready for the warm, rustic accents to come.