From the moment we signed on the dotted line and were handed the keys this spring, Robert and I have been excited to share our plan for the brick exterior. If this were a Friends episode, it would be called “The One with the Big Brick Plans.”

I remember the first time we climbed those steps and stood on the little stoop — I immediately pictured limewashing the entire brick exterior. Robert later admitted he had the same idea. Great minds think alike, or maybe that’s what happens after years of marriage.

She’s a charmer, this little colonial of ours, but I know she would look even more striking in soft white limewash.

We don’t want to erase all of the brick’s texture, though; we like the character of the raw material. That’s why limewash is the perfect solution — it softens and brightens while letting some of the brick’s texture and warmth show through.

You might recall our fireplace makeover, where I used a similar orange-toned brick and refreshed it with Romabio Classico Limewash. I loved how it transformed that space — the finish looked authentically European and kept the brick’s texture intact.

Romabio Classico Limewash is made from real slaked lime and is formulated to go on in a single coat, making it simpler to apply than techniques like German smear or mortar wash. Because it’s designed for exteriors, it maintains an authentic European appearance without flaking or peeling.

I enjoyed working with the product so much that I contacted Romabio about doing our house exterior. They agreed to partner with us, and they’ll be on site in November to limewash the brick and help bring the vision to life.

In a few weeks, our colonial will start looking a lot more like these inspiration photos:

Source: Romabio

I can’t wait to see the transformation in person, and I’ll document the process on Instagram Stories so you can follow along step by step.

Now the big decision: which limewash color to choose? Here are the top options we’re considering.

Limewash Colors

Source: Romabio

Bianco White — a true bright white with no yellow undertones, ideal if you want a crisp, clean exterior that still reads soft because of the brick texture.

Riposo Beige — a deeper beige with warm, yellow undertones that keeps the look cozy while brightening the facade.

Avorio White — a neutral white that pairs well with both cool and warm trim tones and roof colors, offering flexibility with other exterior elements.

Romabio also offers additional shades beyond these three, but Bianco, Riposo, and Avorio are our top contenders for this project.

While the brick gets limewashed, we’ll also paint the trim and shutters. I love several different looks, which makes narrowing it down a challenge, so here are the shutter color directions we’re considering.

Shutter Colors:

Source: The Potted Boxwood

Black — a timeless black-and-white contrast creates drama and classic curb appeal. Some exterior paint options to consider for deep black shutters include Little Black Dress, Black Suede, or Cracked Pepper.

Cool Gray — a soft, welcoming gray offers a more subtle contrast than black. Options in this palette include Barnwood Gray, Elephant Skin, Tin Foil, or Dark Pewter for varying depths.

Warm Gray — a grayer tone with yellow undertones keeps the exterior cozy and approachable. Consider tones like Smoked Tan, Cotton Grey, or Arid Plains.

Navy Blue — a deep blue provides a punch of color that still reads neutral from a distance. Starless Night, English Channel, or Midnight Show are strong contenders for a refined look.

French Blue — less of a neutral and more of a statement, French blue shutters paired with a rustic wood front door would create a chic, European-inspired curb appeal. Shades like Malaysian Mist, Whipped Mint, French Toile, or Rocky Mountain Sky would each give a slightly different mood.

So what will it be? White limewash with black shutters, warm beige with warm gray shutters, or a neutral limewash with French blue shutters? There are so many beautiful combinations; I’m leaning toward a classic white limewash with a bold shutter color for contrast.