Instead of the usual intro paragraph, I’m just going to direct you to watch this video –
In case you can’t watch the video or hate videos or whatever, here is what happened. I wanted a teal house and picked the color Sophisticated Teal by Behr for the exterior. I also chose the color Tricorn Black from Sherwin Williams for the trim color. Just the eaves and soffits, that’s it. The window trim was supposed to be teal, same as the walls. So like, pretty much an entirely teal house.
The day my house was supposed to be painted, I drove to see it. Of course I did, I was super excited. When I got there, the house was already finished, the painting crew was gone…and the whole dang thing was black. BLACK.
Look at this…
It’s a shadow house. It’s terrible.
I realized when I went to write this post that I didn’t take any pictures of it being black, I just shot a few video clips and left, because I was in a time crunch. So all I have to show you are screenshots from videos, which are not great. But you get the idea. 
The most confusing part of this paint job though wasn’t that it was painted the wrong color, it’s that it was painted the correct color on two random pieces on the front of the house.
So the entire house, besides these two pieces, was black…but I stood directly in front of it, I could envision what it would look like painted completely teal. I was a little nervous about this color, so this mistake was like a fun freebie preview. If I hated it I could change the color, since it had to be repainted anyway.
Anyway, I posted that video to TikTok and it went bananas….it got 4.4 million views and 17,000 comments. And guess what 95% of those comments said?
Leave it black.
Now, old life Ashley would have let this affect her. She would have started to overthink, second guess herself, wonder if she made a bad choice, and think that maybe she’s not even good at this. She would have wanted to make everyone else happy and then convince herself it’s what she wanted all along.
But new life Ashley? Nope. I have a vision, I know what I want, and it’s going to be awesome. And even if I’m the only person in the world that likes my choice, that’s enough.
So a few days later, I had my teal house.
Once again I’m low on pictures, so here is another quick video-
Good news….I love the color just as much as I thought I would.
Frequently Asked Questions –
On top of all the “leave it black” comments I got on that TikTok video, I also received a lot of questions. Here are answers to questions you may or may not be asking.
Maybe the black was just a primer? I get why people thought that, since it was being painted a dark color anyway…but no, that was the final color.
Why does the paint look uneven? Unfortunately, that is permanent. The paint isn’t uneven, it’s the texture in the hardiboard siding. I originally wanted a smooth textured siding, but because of the state of the world and supply issues, it wasn’t available. So I went with textured, which had a wood grain finish. So when the sun hits it, the paint looks wonky because of that. Once again, it isn’t ideal, but it is what it is.
How did the painters have enough black paint to do the whole thing? Because they bought the paint. Here is how it works – The customer picks the colors they want…any color, from any company. Then you tell the painters what you want and where. They go to their paint store of choice (in this case PPG) and color-match your selections and order it all on their account (which is way cheaper than you could ever buy paint). Then they paint the house and send you a bill.
Why did they get paint all over your foundation? It looks sloppy now, but it’s standard practice. The sides of the foundation aren’t pretty when you take the form boards off, so at the end of the build they do a skim coat of concrete over the whole thing to make it beautiful. Since this is happening anyway, the painters don’t care about keeping paint off of it.
Did you have to pay to get it fixed? I didn’t. My choices were communicated correctly, but further down the line the message got jumbled. The painters didn’t argue, they were just like “Oh, that makes more sense” and immediately said they would fix it.
So that’s the story of my paint job gone wrong. Next up I’ll show you the breezeblock wall along the front of the courtyard, and then we will be completely caught up on the outside of the house! I’ll leave you with a little teaser…
I’m so glad you stuck with your decision because I think it looks soooo much better! That all over black was just too much. The teal with black accents is beautiful! I can’t wait to see the breezeblocks installed! :)
I just watched the video again, and I can’t believe so many people thought you should leave it black!? Maybe it’s just because I’ve been envisioning what you’ve been writing about, but the all black just looked wrong.
Seriously, like everyone! I couldn’t believe it. But black houses are super trendy right now, I’m seeing them everywhere. I don’t hate them, I just don’t want one.
And thank you!
Nope, you absolutely made the right choice. That teal (especially with the black as an accent) is STUNNING. I can already envision the breezeblock in the courtyard too. Ahhh this is LITERALLY my dream house you are building here Ashley!!!! I love being able to follow along with this build. It’s so exciting!!!
Thank you! I’m having way too much fun with it :)
It is awesome! Bravo, Ashley! I am not good at design, so I have to see something finished to get the concept. I am AMAZED at your concept and very happy to see it getting finished stage by stage. I can’t wait to see the breezeblock wall. Stick to your decisions, because you got it girl!
Thank you Zoe! I’ve really enjoyed the process, especially doing something totally different. And the breezeblock wall turned out so good!
Not having your vision in mind, I did like the black, until I kept reading and saw the teal. Love it! The house has such a beautiful shape and silhouette. I can’t wait to see how you landscape it.
Thanks Karen!
I am starting landscaping now, and it is fun but it is WORK. It’s just me (and sometimes my kids and sometimes my parents) moving a bunch of heavy rocks around. Trying to concentrate on one little section at a time, starting with the courtyard.
Girl … it looks SOOOOO GOOOOD! Good on you. Good for you. Rock on!
Thank you!
I love the teal!! I’m so glad you stuck with it. It’s so exciting and unique. I’m getting sick of the trend of all black or all white these days. I can’t wait to see more of your house come together!
I swear, probably 80% of the new houses being built around here are modern farmhouse black and white (white house, black windows and roof). They are nice looking, but are going to be dated VERY quickly.
Black is ok if that’s what you want, but I LOVE the teal!! It’s so much better and it makes you happy which is the most important part ❤️
I absolutely love the teal! Black is very trendy right now, and is probably why so many people liked it but I’m glad you stuck to your plan.
In my opinion your instincts are correct. It looks way better in teal. I am tired of all of the black painted houses.
I love the teal! You definitely made the right choice. It looks absolutely gorgeous.
Well you’ll never forget this ever! I absolutely LOVE the teal color you picked out. It goes so well with the wood and black accents. Your house will truly be one of a kind 👍 . And I gotta agree with you that all the white and black farmhouses will look so tired in the next decade. Here’s to individualism!
The design trend world is crazy for black painted houses right now (or white and black) so of course the comments are all to keep it black. I love the teal! I am over black hole houses!
That teal with the wood accent contrast 😍😍😍
Ooooohhhhhhh….. so happy you stuck with it!! Love ❤️ love the teal and black together and can’t wait to see it finished.
Seriously- a place I would be proud to call home. I live in a log cabin and don’t like most homes cause we are log cabin snobs, lol. But this whole house speaks to me.
Sophisticated Teal with black trim is so much more exciting! Good that you followed your instincts!
I’m so glad you stuck with your teal house! I think black is trendy right now but you have to do what makes you happy. What’s funny to me is you already have the siding painted and we still don’t have our siding (started our house in Feb) haha! I guess the siding crew has been really backed up… but at least the inside is coming along. So happy to be following along with your new house. :)
I love the teal! I have followed you forever! Love your vision.
Ashley, you DEFINITELY made the right choice! Love the teal, it’s so you!
I, too, love the teal!
So I kind of liked the black at first, but I LOVE the blue with black and wood accents. Can’t wait to see more progress.
Looks great! I painted my house teal and black a few years ago, and I still love it!
I’m in the leave it black camp, but the teal looks fabulous and as long as YOU’RE happy that’s what matters. Now that that’s out of the way, could you share the siding products you used – both the painted and wood tone ones? We have been looking for similar materials for our house exterior but I can’t seem to find anywhere that a normal homeowner not working with a contractor can purchase said items. Thank you (and your home is beautiful!)!
You bet! I wrote about the siding products in this post – https://wildfireinteriors.com/mid-century-modern-exterior-finishes/
The short version is that the painted siding is concrete board (Hardie Board) with a textured finish. The wood siding is made by Silvastar, it’s the Silva Sofitt line and is prefinished in the color Buttered Pecan.
Thanks Ashley – I think I must have missed that post. Doh!
The dark teal looks fantastic! I was slightly afraid for a hot second that when I read your post and you said everyone was telling you to leave it black, you were actually going to leave it black! I’m so glad you didn’t!
I definitely prefer the teal. What a doozie of a mistake on their part!
Mistake detected, should have left it black, its not about second guessing, its about missing out on good taste.
STUNNING COLOR !!! I love Sophisticated Teal too!
When the house was black, way too many architectural details became invisible. Must look @ tiktok.
All of your choices were brilliant. This house has an unmistakable mid century vibe truly highlighted by the fabulous color.
Congratulations Whitney! Atta girl !
Dont print my previous comment !
How i mistook your name 4 whitney !?
I dont kno. 4give [email protected] Ashley. Ashley.
Ashley.
Better now.
Hahaha! I was disobedient and approved them anyway 😝
And thank you! I agree about the black…it made the details disappear, which I disliked even more than the color.
YES YES YES – YOU WERE RIGHT – SO MUCH BETTER AS A TEAL HOUSE – YOU KNOW GOOD DESIGN AND STYLE