Transforming a Community Home: Unveiling the Habitat for Humanity Showhouse Exterior & Front Door Selection

The journey of transforming a house into a home, especially for a meaningful project like the Habitat for Humanity showhouse, is filled with meticulous decisions and exciting revelations. When we last shared updates on this special endeavor (details available here, here, and here), the exterior was nearing completion, patiently awaiting its protective and beautifying coat of paint. A rare three-week snowfall in Richmond, Virginia, introduced an unexpected delay, turning our attention to interior material selections like light fixtures, tile, and cabinetry (more on that here). However, the weather has finally cleared, and we are thrilled to pull back the curtain on one of the most impactful exterior choices: the primary paint color!

Crafting the Perfect Exterior Palette: From Vision to Reality

From the outset, our design vision for the Habitat for Humanity showhouse gravitated towards a timeless aesthetic: a deep, inviting navy blue for the main body, complemented by crisp, light trim, and grounded by rustic accents. The builder enthusiastically embraced this concept, and thus began our quest to pinpoint the perfect shade of navy. This critical decision would set the tone for the entire exterior, influencing everything from curb appeal to the home’s overall character within its community.

The Art of Color Selection: Narrowing Down Navy Hues

Our initial step involved an extensive collection of paint swatches. We gathered numerous shades of navy that we believed could work, bringing them directly to the job site. The goal was to observe how each color reacted to varying natural light conditions across different planes of the house—the sun-drenched front, the shaded side, and everything in between. This crucial on-site evaluation helps uncover the true character of a color, which can often differ significantly from how it appears on a small chip in a brightly lit store. Here are the nine navy paint swatches that formed our starting point:

The initial onsite assessment quickly helped us eliminate several contenders. Colors like “Gravel Gray” and “Polo Blue,” despite their names suggesting depth, appeared almost black under certain lights, losing the desired navy quality. “Westcott Navy” leaned a bit too gray for our preference, while “Van Deusen Blue” surprisingly read much lighter, closer to a medium blue than the rich navy we envisioned. This firsthand experience reinforced the importance of seeing colors in their intended environment. After careful deliberation and several rounds of holding swatches against the siding, we successfully whittled our selection down to three promising finalists:

Each of these top three choices offered unique nuances that captivated us. “Hale Navy” presented subtle charcoal undertones, adding a sophisticated depth. “Gentleman’s Gray” was a pure, quintessential navy—straightforward and elegant. “Newburg Green,” a slightly lighter option, featured a delicate hint of green undertone (for more on understanding paint undertones, you can learn more about paint undertones here). This diverse range ensured that our final test pots wouldn’t be three indistinguishable shades of navy, but rather distinct options to truly evaluate. Confident that any of these three could be a successful choice, we headed to the paint store to procure our samples.

From Test Pots to Painted Siding: The Final Evaluation

Armed with our three test pots, we returned to the showhouse, eager to apply them directly to the siding. Even our young assistant, Clara, enthusiastically contributed to the mixing process, a delightful moment of involvement in this community project.

We carefully brushed each color onto separate sections of the siding, meticulously noting which was which. After the first coat dried, we applied a second, understanding that a true representation of any paint color often requires multiple layers. This methodical approach allowed us to observe the full depth and hue of each option as it settled.

Clara’s youthful perspective even joined the final assessment, highlighting that good design sensibility can start at any age.

While iPhone photographs taken on a cloudy day can’t fully capture the subtle nuances visible in person, the two dried coats clearly revealed distinctions. “Hale Navy” and “Gentleman’s Gray” emerged as slightly darker and more intense, imparting a formal and commanding presence. “Newburg Green,” by contrast, felt less “midnight-ish,” exuding a lighter, more approachable, and undeniably friendly vibe. This distinction, though subtle, was critical to our final decision.

It might seem unconventional to describe paint colors as “formal” or “casual,” but “Newburg Green” genuinely felt more inviting and relaxed in person. While “Gentleman’s Gray” and “Hale Navy” would have undoubtedly created a handsome facade, “Newburg Green” resonated with the warmth and community spirit of the Habitat for Humanity project. Furthermore, we anticipated it would provide a more pleasing contrast with the roof, as we worried the darker, grayer tones of the other two might blend in too much, diminishing the visual appeal of both the roof and the siding.

The Final Exterior Scheme: Newburg Green and Steam Trim

With a unanimous decision, “Newburg Green” was crowned the victor for the main exterior body. Next came the task of selecting the perfect trim color. After holding up numerous white swatches, we settled on “Steam.” This choice offers the desired clean, crisp white appearance without being overly stark or blinding, beautifully complementing the depth of the Newburg Green and contributing to the house’s welcoming aesthetic.

Unveiling the Showhouse Exterior: A Vision Realized

And here she is—the Habitat for Humanity showhouse, beautifully painted and gleaming! We are absolutely delighted with how “Newburg Green” harmonizes with the tone of the roof and the “Steam” colored trim. The paint choice dramatically emphasizes the pretty architecture, highlighting the thick trim work and adorable details like the two round windows nestled within the peaks. These architectural elements truly shine with the new color scheme, giving the house a charming and distinctive character. Of course, several elements remain to be completed. Magnificent chunky columns are yet to be installed above each of the stone pillars around the porch. All the exposed wood will then be sealed, which will deepen its tone slightly while retaining its warm, rustic appeal, creating a beautiful juxtaposition with the modern navy siding.

We also recognize the transformative power of landscaping. Currently, the house stands somewhat isolated, but once the landscaping is in place, it will seamlessly integrate the structure with its natural surroundings. Thoughtfully chosen plants and pathways will soften the lines, add curb appeal, and create a truly inviting entry sequence, completing the transition from a newly constructed building to a cherished home.

The All-Important Front Door: A Color Conundrum

With the main exterior colors finalized, our attention now shifts to another pivotal design element: the front door. The front door is more than just an entry point; it’s a statement piece, a welcoming embrace, and a reflection of the home’s personality. The door arrived in its raw, unpainted state (it’s not stainable), prompting us to explore a wide array of color possibilities. We turned to Photoshop, experimenting with over two dozen options, some of which surprised us immensely. For instance, a classic yellow door on a navy house, which we’ve always admired, simply didn’t work for this particular facade, appearing too jarring. Conversely, some unexpected choices, like a blue-gray-green, emerged as strong contenders. So, without further delay, here are the six finalist colors we’re debating for the showhouse’s front door, each offering a unique impression:

Note: It’s important to remember that Photoshop renderings, while helpful for visualizing, are not a perfect representation of real life. The actual painted door will likely possess more dimension and overall appeal than these digital mockups.

Considering Every Shade: Our Front Door Finalists

Let’s take a closer look at each of our front door finalists, understanding the unique character each one could bring to the Habitat for Humanity showhouse exterior.

First, we have a captivating shade we’ve affectionately dubbed “Blue Steel.” This greeny blue-gray offers a sophisticated and contemporary feel, subtly complementing the “Newburg Green” without being overtly matchy. While these Photoshop colors aren’t directly from a paint deck, we’d aim for a real-world swatch with similar intriguing undertones.

Next, we considered a rich shade in the chocolate range. This choice introduces warmth and a grounded elegance, providing a beautiful contrast to the cool navy siding while hinting at the natural wood tones planned for the porch beams.

For a vibrant and classic appeal, a traditional red front door was also explored. This option evokes a timeless, nautical, and proudly “all-American” look, creating a striking focal point against the navy and white scheme. It’s a bold choice that communicates a strong sense of home and welcome.

We also played with the idea of a deep, luxurious plum door. While perhaps a less common choice, a rich plum offers an unexpected touch of elegance and sophistication, providing a subtle pop of color that feels both refined and unique. Its depth pairs beautifully with the navy, adding a layer of subtle intrigue.

Thinking about connecting the door to other natural elements, we considered something in the rust family. This earthy tone would serve as a lovely nod to the natural variations in the stone foundation and the future richer, warmer tones of the sealed porch beams. It provides an organic warmth that beautifully complements the cooler main body color.

Lastly, we have a putty-colored door. This subtle, sophisticated choice ties into the nuanced tones of the roof and some of the lighter shades present in the stone work around the porch. A putty door offers a harmonious and understated elegance, allowing other architectural features to stand out.

Your opinions are highly valued, and we were eager to see which way the community would lean! While the poll for this decision has now closed, your input always informs our design sensibilities. We anticipate finalizing the front door color once the porch beams are fully installed and sealed, which we hope will be very soon, bringing us one step closer to completing this inspiring Habitat for Humanity home.

VOTING ON THIS POLL HAS CLOSED

As for the interior of the showhouse, exciting progress continues with the installation of beautiful tile and hardwood flooring. We’re also embarking on the thrilling hunt for furniture and rugs, alongside the crucial task of pinning down the perfect interior paint colors for each room. We eagerly anticipate sharing these interior developments and design choices with you, hopefully within the next week or two, as this incredible Habitat for Humanity showhouse steadily transforms into a dream home!

Psst – Curious to see the finished showhouse? Explore our Full Showhouse Tour here, which features final photographs of every room, detailed floor plans, budget insights, a complete video walk-through, and a curated selection of shoppable showhouse furniture and accessories. Discover the full transformation!