House #7 – Selecting the Perfect Pink

February 7, 2019
IN: building a house, house #7, our seventh house

Two updates on house #7 in one week?! It’s full steam ahead at this point, which means it’s time to nail down a lot of decisions. I decided on a shade of pink for the exterior as soon as we were finished having the plans drawn up, but now it’s time to select the exact shade. And I have to be honest with you all, this is by far the scariest design decision of this whole entire process. (It’s really expensive to repaint a house, so I have to get this right. No pressure. 😉 )

Our local Sherwin Williams has a regional color guide ~ Colors of Historic Charleston ~ and a portion of the proceeds from purchasing from this collection goes to support the preservation and educational programs of the Historic Charleston Foundation. The colors in this collection all feel like pretty safe bets for our area, and I love that we’ll also be supporting local in choosing a color from this palette.

The Siding Is Going Up

The siding has started to go up this week, which is very exciting! It really makes the house look more like a house, ya know? But this also means time is running out, and I need to choose a color!

(paint swatches in order pictured above – Faber House, Pink Mimosa, Edisto Sunset, State Street Pink)

(Faber House, Pink Mimosa, Edisto Sunset, State Street Pink)

I figured the best way to test the four different shades was to bring these large poster boards (painted on white which will be the color of our trim) over to the house and evaluate them at different times of day and in different lighting scenarios.

I’m also weighing in the fact that some of the exterior siding will be visible from the living room, dining room and kitchen. So I want whatever shade of pink we choose to be something that flows well with the finishes and colors we’ll be using inside.

(Edisto Sunset, State Street Pink)

This last picture is a little overexposed…..it was just so bright when it was snapped, but it kind of gives you an idea of how these shades of pink will play with the black doors.

(Faber House, Pink Mimosa, Edisto Sunset, State Street Pink)

Selecting a color for the exterior of a house is a little different than selecting one for an interior. There are so many factors to consider. And color never looks the same indoors as it does outside. I’m leaning toward State Street Pink at this point, as it feels like the most subdued pink shade of the four. What are your thoughts?

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Wow that’s a tuff decision. I like all of them. I’m sure it will be amazing.

Love state street! Looks like the perfect shade

As I was going through the pics, State Street pink was my pick! Any shade you choose will be great! Love watching the progress—details are my thing!

Me too! State Street Pink

State Street was my pick as well… Just enough depth without being too warm or too cool!

As I was looking at the swatches in each photo, I kept being drawn toward State Street Pink so smiled when I read that you were leaning toward it as well. Love seeing your house updates. Keep ’em coming!

I’m impressed (amazed?) that you are painting siding! In my area you just don’t see many homes with wood siding anymore. How does the weather affect the siding, etc.? We are milder here but still have hot summers which is hard on wood and paint. My dad’s house (50+ years old) actually does have wood siding above brick. He just had it painted. We had our house built and we did everything as maintenance free as possible. We have brick, but I believe our garage doors are vinyl clad and some of the trim pieces, etc. Out of the 4 you show, I would go with your choice. On my monitor the pinks looks to be a peachy pink, but I’m not sure if that’s the true colors. There’s a house in Charleston (main road near the battery) that I always like – it’s pink. Has the concrete pig out front.

The whole time I was reading that, I was thinking State Street Pink! It’s perfect!

State Street Pink looks good in all the photos.

My favorite is definitely the State Street Pink!

I instantly liked State Street Pink too! Then when I saw it outside I loved it even more 🙂

Just one thought, your photos are being shown inside. What do the colors look like outside if you hang them up on the side of the house? Will State Street (which I love) look too washed out if you get a lot of sun?

I like Edisto Sunset and Pink Mimosa; probably because they’re less understated! ? I mean, it’s Charleston! Go for it. Plus, harsh summer sunlight will fade-out any color, to the eye. I’m sure it will look great though, whichever you choose.

Hi Carmel! What a tough decision! I like either Fabre house or state street pink. The other two seemed too baby doll pink to me. These two would look awesome with a black front door. Is pink a favorite color of yours? What made you decide to go with pink? That’s a lot of pink to live a long time with! LOL! But if you’re going with pink, I don’t think you can go wrong with either of these two. Good luck choosing! ?

I, too, went right for the Stateside pink. But I wonder if a little darker would be better. Pink Mimosa? The hot southern sun will fade it in no time. I read once it’s usually better to go a tad darker. But I love all the wonderful colors you can use in the south on the exterior.

Here in Michigan, it would look ridiculous.
Good luck.

State Street Pink is my first choice. I looked back to see that the front door on House 6 is Rachel Pink. It is also a pretty shade of pink. How do these two compare?

Another vote for State Street, an immediate pick.

Pink Mimosa or Slate Street! Can’t go wrong! 🙂

State Street is the one I liked best …even before I saw that is how you are leaning. It looks most “Charleston” to me. Your house is going to be so lovely!

Yes!! The whole time I was reading, I was hoping you’d go with State Street Pink. I agree—it looks the most muted, which seems wise.

My vote is State Street. Can’t wait to see the final product. It will be gorgeous I’m sure!

At the risk of sounding redundant, I chose State Street Pink as I was going through your post and smiled when I saw that was the way you are leaning. It really is a beautiful color and seems like it would anything but especially pretty with black windows and doors. Can’t wait to see your finished house. I love Charleston and wish we could have a pink house but you don’t see too many of them in Minnesota…..too boring here!

Loving the Pink Mimosa. Light and bright for the win!

Faber house all the way!

Oh my what a tough decision and one you know you have to live with a long time! I myself, like the Mimosa Pink because it is the lightest and brightest. Two of them look kind of peachy and the State Street reminds me of my makeup foundation. Sorry. In the end it’s got to be your decision and whichever you choose I know it will be beautiful.