White House / Black House

Posted on October 2, 2016

Description:

Marijke and I love our little Portland bungalow. After a year of scraping and stripping and painting the interior, we are anxious to transform the exterior to reflect our taste. The current yellow, sage green, and chalky blue situation is, frankly, a bummer. We’re stuck in a debate over two exterior color choices that could not be more different: black or white.

WHITE BLACK
presidential modern
traditional sexy
cheerful mysterious
clean cozy


Each option has its merits and drawbacks. A black house may be hotter in the summer, but needs less frequent washing than a white house. The paint may last longer on a white house, but who really wants their house the same color for fifteen years anyhow?

Since we cannot decide together, we thought we would take this decision to the Shareholders. What color do you think we should paint the house? Yes = white, No = black, and if you have no opinion, just don’t vote.

We have put together a Pinterest board that includes photos of our house and some examples of white and black that we like.

Happy to answer questions below.



Past Discussion

aaronpk (1309.0 shares, voted no)
I would not have thought that black paint would work on a house, but those Pinterest photos of black houses look amazing.
Mike Merrill
There are some really good ones in Portland. Keep an eye out!
Douglas Dollars (415.0 shares, voted no)
Ran the idea past two other people who agree with me. Their votes count for zero (currently), but moral support is +2
arijkem (220.0 shares, voted yes)
Don't let me vote influence you cause I'll probably change it tomorrow. ;)
cxl (2.0 shares, voted no)
Based on average weather from http://www.intellicast.com/Local/History.aspx?unit=C&location=USOR0275, it seems that black would help warm the house up during the 8 months of the year when the temperature is on the cooler side.
arijkem (220.0 shares, voted yes)
But let's be real, it should be black.
awmahan (40.0 shares, voted no)
BLACK
arijkem (220.0 shares, voted yes)
Just switched. You know, for fun.
Meg Scheminske (1.0 shares, voted no)
Black black black!! There's an interesting black house on 13th, south of Killingsworh you two should check out.
arijkem πŸ’― (220.0 shares, voted yes)
WHITE
CravenAcquisitionsLLC (1.0 shares, voted no)
I'm voting black, but I'm really thinking that some combination of both would be ideal. If you really want to try something novel, commission an artist to design you a black and white design. If you want to remain somewhat conservative, I think all black with white trims is very elegant, like this: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/e6/30/e8/e630e84cf364c1611288c02194ab7395.jpg
wandersean πŸ’― (108.0 shares, voted no)
I agree, the black with white trim/highlights looks good.
arijkem πŸ’― (220.0 shares, voted yes)
I tend to like tone on tone (body and trim same color or very close) and windows as contrast. I think black windows on a white house look nice, like eyeliner. http://dinahollandinteriors.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/img_5943.jpg We love our friend Shannon's black house, trim and body the same color, but the trim is subtly glossier. http://www.freundevonfreunden.com/interviews/shannon-baird/