When we last updated you on the Habitat for Humanity showhouse we’re helping with (previous progress was posted on the project blog), the exterior was mostly finished and just waiting for paint. Then Richmond was hit with three weeks of rare snow, which slowed things down. While we continued finalizing materials like light fixtures, tile, and cabinetry, we weren’t able to share our color decision—until now.
From the start we knew we wanted a navy family color with crisp, light trim and a few rustic touches—chunky wood porch beams and stone around the foundation. The builder liked the navy direction, so our job was to pick the exact shade. We brought a wide selection of swatches to the site and held them up against different planes of the house to see how the tones behaved in real light. These were the nine swatches we considered.
Some swatches were eliminated quickly: Gravel Gray and Polo Blue looked almost black in person, Westcott Navy read a touch too gray, and Van Deusen Blue felt unexpectedly lighter. After narrowing the options, we chose three finalists to test on the siding:
The three we selected were Hale Navy (with charcoal-ish undertones), Gentleman’s Gray (a straightforward navy), and Newburg Green (a slightly lighter navy with a hint of green). Together they offered a clear range of depth and undertone, so we bought test pots and painted direct samples on the siding. Clara helped with mixing and application.
We brushed each color on in two coats and let them dry so we could evaluate them in place. The photos were taken on a cloudy day and don’t capture every nuance, but in person Hale Navy and Gentleman’s Gray read darker and more intense, while Newburg Green appeared less “midnight” and felt a bit more casual and approachable.
Clara even pitched in with some final strokes—start ’em young.
After seeing the finished swatches on the house, Newburg Green stood out. It felt friendlier and offered better contrast with the roof than the darker navy options, which might have blended in too much. So we chose Newburg Green for the body and selected Steam for the trim—a soft, clean white that’s not too stark.
With the paint applied, the house’s architectural details—the thick trim, the round attic windows, and the porch—really pop. There are still elements to finish: chunky columns will be installed above the stone pillars, and all exterior wood will be sealed, which will deepen the warm, rustic tone of those features.
Landscaping will also make a big difference, helping the house feel integrated with its surroundings instead of like a brand-new structure sitting on the lot.
Now for the front door. It arrived in a neutral tone we couldn’t stain, so we experimented with over two dozen color options in Photoshop to visualize possibilities. From that exercise we narrowed the choices down to six that complemented the Newburg Green body and Steam trim. Some obvious combinations (like yellow on navy) didn’t work here, while unexpected options, such as a blue-gray-green, surprised us.
Note: Photoshop mockups are only a guide—the painted door will have more depth and variation in real life.
Here’s a closer look at some of the finalists. One option is a blue-steel tone—a blue-green-gray with muted undertones. Another is a deep chocolate brown, offering warmth and a grounded contrast. We also explored a classic red for a nautical, all-American feel, and a rich plum for a moody, refined look. A rust tone would nod to the natural stone and warmed wood beams, and a putty shade would tie into the roof and some stone colors.
Please share which door color you prefer—we’ll finalize the choice once the porch beams are installed and sealed, which should be soon.
VOTING ON THIS POLL HAS CLOSED
On the interior, tile and hardwoods are being installed and we’ve started sourcing furniture, rugs, and interior paint colors. We look forward to sharing that progress in the next week or two.
Psst – Want to see the finished showhouse? Check the full showhouse tour page for final photos, the floor plan, budget details, a video walkthrough, and the curated furniture and accessory selections.