Paint color for entry door?
I live in a brick row house built 1880 and am wondering what color I should paint entry door? I will later paint the cornice same color. Wondering if anyone has any good ideas. And should I go with gloss or matte?
I live in a brick row house built 1880 and am wondering what color I should paint entry door? I will later paint the cornice same color. Wondering if anyone has any good ideas. And should I go with gloss or matte?
Thanks for the advice. The brick is painted red now but we are going to have the paint removed at some point. As far as window frames, those will be replaced too. I do want to go with something historically accurate. I think Yorktowne Green is my favorite so far.
Really deep variations on black look good: super dark gray, blue, teal, brown, etc. that are almost black at first glance. high gloss looks great on a perfectly prepped/restored door, but matte is a better choice for most projects. Keep in mind that the trim must also be in perfect shape for gloss since you will likely be painting it the same.
Ben Moore exterior satin is nice. If its a new door, glossy is also good, but agree with DIBS – if this is a repaint over a lot of old layers, high gloss can be tricky. Stay away from matte on an exterior surface – it will look dull in a couple of years.
You definitely need to keep in mind the doors to your left and right, and try not to do anything too jarring.
Darker hues are usually better. Mixing deep a burgundy or dark green with some black can produce some pretty stunning results. Ben Moore also has some good really dark purples which are very period appropriate.
It’s hard to say without seeing the color of your brick pus window trim. I’m assuming you’re not in an historic district or individual landmark. You also don’t say whether you’re going for historic accuracy or are looking for a fun color that pops. In general, and I’m assuming your brick is reddish in color, a safe color would be something like Benjamin Moore’s Ready Mix Exterior Color Black Forest Green. I like BM Historic Colors becasue they seem to have truer pigment than some of the other colors. There’s a dark blue gray – Newburg Green HC-158, more green gray HC-133 Yorktowne Green Something golden might also work like HC-12 Stuart Gold.
I prefer a matte or satin finish because, as others have mentioned, it’s less likely to show imperfections. In general you should go with a color that’s pretty saturated as exterior daylight will make any color look lighter.
I think it partly depends on (1) the color of the brick and (2) the colors in the row. You want it to look good with the rest of your house, and also with those nearby in the row (knowing the row could change.)
Go around Brooklyn and look at houses. that’s the best way to decide. I can’t stress enough that the high gloss will look bad unless the underlying surfaces are completely stripped and sanded, which is a long, tedious and expensive process.
The painter wants Benjamin Moore oil. I want low lustre but my husband wants gloss, I thought a good compromise would be satin. Should I choose from the Benjamin Moore historic colors? I know all this is just opinion, but a part of me wants to be told what to do as it is a lot easier to make a decision.
Agree with Brooklander. But I do think matte or flat looks better than gloss. Gloss will reflect any and ALL imperfections and look terrible. I think black looks the best bit that;s just personal taste.
In a clapboard house I did use three colors, a beige facade, a tavern blue for the casings and a deep brown for the sashes and door. I did paint the (brand new) door the super high gloss Fine Paints of Europe deep brown but the prep had to be perfect.
I think that some contrasts can work well…painting the door casings and the cornice one color and the door another color.
Why not look at different houses? See what others did; and what you like.
Don’t forget to look at the ‘painted ladies’; those older homes in Victorian
Flatbush. Wander from the Parade Grounds [Caton Avenue] to Ave J. Some
of these trim colors may appeal to you. Many of these homes are quite
lovely, and may give you some great ideas.
Your cornice doesn’t have to be a single color, btw. If you prefer it can
be augmented by using a stunning (albeit elegant) multicolored palate.
Paint stores, designers, and the color wheel provide additional inspiration.
If you change your mind; you can always repaint.
Enjoy, and good luck!**
**Unless your building is landmarked. If so, you will need to choose
‘acceptable colors’, and apply, etc. Different process entirely…