Charcoal or Coral on the Front Door?

Thursday, June 14, 2012

You kids were so great about offering up your opinions regarding my exterior paint selection a few weeks ago that I want to run something by you again.  Before we dive into the color selection du jour,  there's something you need to know. I didn't go with any one of the color schemes I presented on that post, but I took bits and pieces from a few and came up with something else.  If you recall, I really wanted to paint the brick white but decided against it since the neighbor's house directly to my right is white, and so is the house directly across the street.  That led me to plan "B".  I have been in love with the color of this building since it went up about 5 years ago.  
Nell's Home Furnishings has since relocated from this site to another location on Market Street in Chattanooga,  and the good folks at Nell's were kind enough to share the paint color with me.  BTW, if you're local and haven't been to Nell's, you're in for a treat!  Owner and decorator Jimmy Adams has a real flair for creating stylish and colorful interiors. 

So, on with my paint drama. The brick has been painted Benjamin Moore's Gray Wisp. 

 I love this color!  It's one of those colors you can't name in one word, and those are always the best.  It's gray, its, green, and its blue and it all depends on where you're looking from and what time of day it is.  Fun!  So, I initially painted the shutters like they are at Nell's, but the black was just too stark with my new gray roof.  The shutters got repainted and they're now charcoal (Farrell Calhoun's "Tudor House".)  In love with that!!!

Now, here's a shot of the front door, which also received a coat of Tudor House/charcoal.
Please don't judge too harshly.  Landscaping has yet to begin and we had a little communication breakdown re: the door hardware.  But that's another post.. And the burgundy threshold is a lingering reminder of the "before".  So, have I mentioned that I love the Tudor House/charcoal color with Gray Wisp?  The problem is, the front door is recessed a few feet from the front facade of the house, and it kind of disappears in the shadows.

 Who am I kidding - the problem is I want a coral door.  


See how pretty?  I die for that door!

So I went and got a paint color that looked close, I even went with a little toned down version to ease the husband into this idea.


He's not buying.  And I'm not saying I don't love the charcoal on the door, especially after that hardware malfunction is corrected.  And P.S. my Mom just called and she likes the charcoal, but suggested a gloss - which it is, but for some reason it's reading flat in the picture.  

Luckily, I have some very smart and stylish friends who have great opinions! So I'm turning it over to you - and just know I am happy with either option.  

Charcoal or coral?

Need some help pulling your style together?  The Green Room Interiors can make your home a beautiful place to be!  Call Kim Lemmon at 423.653.3186 or email thegreenroominteriors@gmail.com



45 comments:

Gabrielle | Savvy Home said...

When I saw the brick paint color before scrolling down to the door options, I immediately thought: red!!! Duck egg and red is one of my favorite color combos right now so I vote glossy coral all the way! Charcoal isn't bad, but it would just look dull in my opinion, especially with a recessed door.

I guess if the hubby really doesn't budge, you can always suggest less girly reds as a second option? All reds will look good with that Gray Wisp color :)

Carol@TheDesignPages said...

I say go for the coral. Those doors you have are spectacular and deserve a spectacular paint to go along with them. The charcoal is very chic and if you ever tire of the coral you could easily go right back to it. I can't wait to see what you decide:)

Brooke @ Inside-Out Design said...

Oh I'd do the coral for sure!!! The charcoal is nice, just doesn't have the presence that the coral would have- it'd look amazing! Especially on those gorgeous double doors. Your neighbors would be envious! If you don't have it inside already, you could bring a few pops of coral inside too, even just small ones, that can be seen from the doorway. That way the color continues into the house and would look super cool! Maybe that'd be a way to ease your husband into the coral camp, by letting him get used to some smaller doses of it first. I can totally relate to the husband getting scared of design ideas! :)
anyways I LOVE your new paint color! and I totally agree with you that coral is the way to go!!

heather (love your space) said...

Wait--your mom read this post and then called and you edited her in? Love moms reading blogs.

You know what else I love? All things coral. And so yes, coral door! The colors you've chosen so far are totally gorgeous; coral would just be so happy and fun.

Surely your husband will see reason?

Dayka Robinson said...

kim, you're being a tease!! i need to see more of the front to get a better feel for it (email me a pic if you have time), but i definitely say no to charcoal because it's too safe and average. i like the idea of red and i like the coral too, but it's too hard for me to tell in such a tight shot. you know i won't judge! :) email me!

dayka

amber wallace said...

Oh please do the coral!!! I would love to have it on my house, but it would not go. Do it! Do it! Do it!

Beth of designPOST Interiors said...

Go with coral! It's a only a door so have a little fun with the color. It will make you happy every time you see it! Ps. I have a bright red door :)

Stacy CUrran said...

I would do the coral!! I like the charcoal, but you REALLY want coral, so I'd talk your husband into it!
Stacy

pam {simple details} said...

Another vote for coral, it will make you happy every time you drive up to your house! Charcoal is pretty, but what everyone else would do! Be brave! :)

Elizabeth @ The Little Black Door said...

Don't you hate it when husband's think they have a say in these kid of decisions? :) You are going to have to make some sort of deal with him to mow the lawn for the summer or something because I think that coral color would look smashing on your front door!

Amber B (Simple Dwellings) said...

I also vote for the coral! It would be a beautiful color combination with everything else! And thos gorgeous doors would look amazing with a glossy coral on them. If you're looking for a toned down coral, Benjamin Moore's 'Coral Rock' 032 is a great color! Best of luck. :)

Unknown said...

CORAL 100%.
By the way, you did a great job matching your inspiration door! It is going to look amazing!

Tiffany Leigh {thedesignerlifestyle} said...

I'm for the coral too Kim! Maybe you could get one thats a little more orangey than pinky for the hubs. The inspirational pink looks a bit more orange than the one in the second pic. Good luck getting the hubby on board, and thank you for the birthday wishes!
Tiffany
tiffanyleighinteriordesign.blogspot.com

anita said...

Coral!
I think your husband might be focusing on the coral next to the charcoal and it looks a little severe.
The coral is so pretty against the cream trim and the color on the brick.
Paint both doors and tell him if he still hates it; you'll redo the charcoal!

Splendid Sass said...

I say go for the coral! I love it!
The gray is petty, but the coral is perfect for the door and it brings it out.
Thank you for your kind comment yesterday. It meant so much.
Happy Friday.
Teresa
xoxo

Carissa @ the Fabulous Design File said...

Coral!!! Go for it!!! It will be fabulous.

Unknown said...

I love the coral! You can always do gloss black planters on the porch to bring in the black. Good Luck! I know my hubby would not go for coral, but I WOULD :)
Nancy
Powellbrowerhome.com

justlemmon said...

try BM's habanero peper 1306,, A cross between coral and tomato. I have white painted brick and a dark orange door and a brown roof that changes colors.

Brandy@MAKE+MODEL said...

I may have to steal your BM Gray Wisp color if I ever get to the exterior of my house. Hands down Coral is the way to go if you want a Chateau A Gogo house!!! And let's face it, it's just more fun. You only live once and it's just a door. It's not like you have to live with it forever. Check out my post this week on Modern Dwell House numbers. Those would be the icing on the cake. Brandy@ChateauAGogo

oldhousesrock said...

coral...coral...coral...(I'm chanting here).

Kendall said...

You can never go wrong with a red door...and coral is just an even better version of red! Go for it.

Kerry Steele- Design du Monde said...

Is it that your husband doesn't like coral or doesn't like a bold front door? I vote coral but if he just doesn't like coral maybe lipstick red or lemon yellow.
I love that you painted the house gray wisp.

Junell said...

You have just come into my life & as fate would have it I too am working on a front door color & YES I am doing coral ~ serendipidous wouldn't you say??? I have chosen Ben Moore Bird Of Pardise #1305 coz I love it & it works so marvelously with my Audubon Flamingo Print that will hang in the foyer.
Now taking a look at that divine trim on your door if your Hub is a color freaker & allot of them are.... sad but true.. how about highlighting that trim ala Dorothy Draper in a white lacquer & then marry up your concrete porch with a porch white. Still drama but explain to him you are going for that tuxedo feeling....

Shameless shout out to the Dorothy door;

http://seekersbazaar.blogspot.com/2012/04/in-pink.html

Carla Aston said...

Love the coral. A front door is the perfect statement about the personality within....and I think you're a coral kind of gal.

Carrie @ Hazardous Design said...

I feel your pain, Kim! We're in the process of choosing exterior paint colors as well. Great job, choosing Gray Wisp. Now stick with your gut and paint the door Coral. You'll only regret it if you don't try it out. If your husband doesn't like it then you (or better yet, he) can change it back. Good luck!

casey at loft and cottage said...

That gray wisp color is lovely, and it'd look charming and perfect with a charcoal door. BUT it'd look incredible and bold and full of personality with a coral door!

René said...

Ditto to Casey's comment!

Cris Angsten said...

Coral is all you! I love how bright and unexpected it is.

Cris Angsten said...

Coral. It's all you - unexpected, brightens the gray, love it. Me, you know, I'm a trifle less exciting and might paint it a deeeeep gray/blue. But coral says "Kim Lives Heeere!!!"

elizabeth@themustardceiling said...

OOh, so fun! I love the color you chose for the brick. A coral door with be absolutely gorgeous against the gray. I say go for the coral.

Unknown said...

It's a lovely blog you have here:)

Katherine said...

Coral.... maybe a bit deeper and more intense then it won't appear too much like salmon.
I like the white trim work around the door frame in the inspiration picture you posted. That would add balance to the door on the house and the door opening.

Donna Benedetto said...

Go with the coral...sometimes you just have to step out of the box...you won't be sorry...and bottom line it is only paint, so if you hate it you can go right over it. High gloss paint is the way to go!
Donna
thebeneblog.com

Interior Design Musings said...

OK, here's what I always say about painting a front door. It's a can a paint! If you don't love it repaint it. It's not like the base coat of your house that is a huge commitment (which you got right and adore!). So, try it, you might like it!!! (to borrow a phrase from Dr. Seuss)! M.

Karolyn said...

If I had a dime for every time I repainted my front door!! It's only paint, so go for it!! Definitely a true Coral with hints of rich orange to it! If you hate it you just paint over it.

Karena said...

Kim you might Guess that I would say CORAL!! Why not live with it awhile and see if it grows on you husband!

Xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Artist Series 2012 (Kerry Steele)

Kellie Collis said...

Gorgeous doors! Loving the black one. Have a lovely week ahead, Kellie xx

Holly Gruszka said...

My instinct says go with the coral - and yes you would be the house with the coral door and be darn proud of that coral door (we're the ones with the yellow door on the block - ha!). Charcoal is a classic choice and with the right shiny hardware it would be stunning. Maybe you've already covered this, but what kind of light do you get on the front? Do you get afternoon sun? That sun will beat down and absorb that charcoal and it will be HOT - I learned that the hard way (our door was black before it was yellow). So another reason to go coral. Can't wait to see what you choose.

Sharon Rexroad's Bringing Creativity 2 Life said...

Just discovered you -- and definitely Coral for this gal. Still have fond memories of a pumpkin front door as a teen and then a red door as an adult (it was a metal door and I had the autobody shop paint it Mustang red --hubs loved it since he'd always wanted a mustang growing up)

The Vintique Object said...

Yet another vote for coral! What will your husband think?
Camille

Linda {Calling it Home} said...

I would paint it coral. Everyday, you will look at that door, and smile.

Nicole said...

My LR and DR are both BM grey wisp, and I have salmon silk drapes in my DR and I love that color mix. So I would vote for the coral, although they're both good options. (And I bet you've already picked a color by now!)

Nicole said...

My LR and DR are both BM grey wisp, and I have salmon silk drapes in my DR and I love that color mix. So I would vote for the coral, although they're both good options. (And I bet you've already picked a color by now!)

Rebecca said...

Coral door against white background and frame looks really stunning. The only problem is when the color fades. I am not sure about front door. But if you have a garage and need repair on its door you can count on garage door repair arlington heights. They provide an excellent service in their area.

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