Limewash Brick Exterior Makeover Plans
From the day we signed on that little dotted line and were handed the keys earlier this spring, Robert and I have been itching to share this post with y’all. If this were a Friends episode, it’d be called “The one with the big brick plans”. (That show’s producers were straight to the point, ya know?)
I remember from the moment we first walked up those steps to our house’s little stoop that I wanted to limewash this entire brick exterior. Robert admitted to me later that he had the exact same thought. Great minds think alike… or maybe minds who have been married for a while.

She’s a charmer, this little colonial of ours, but I know she would be even prettier all dressed in white.

But because we like texture, we still want a bit of the raw brick to show. So limewash is the answer.

Remember back when I shared our fireplace makeover that featured the same orange-y style of brick? I spiffed it up with Romabio Classico Limewash, and I was instantly in love.

Romabio Classico Limewash is made of real slaked-lime from Italy that goes on in one coat and is much easier to use than German Smear or mortar wash. It’s designed for exteriors, so it doesn’t flake or peel off so it continues to have an authentic European look.
I loved working with this limewash so much that I reached out to Romabio to ask if they would be willing to help a girl out with the prospects of a house exterior makeover, and lo and behold they’ll be coming out in November to make it happen!
In a few weeks, our brick colonial lady will be looking a lot like this:

Source: Romabio
I cannot WAIT to see it all happen in person, and I’ll be sure to include y’all every step of the way on my Instagram Stories as we make progress.
So now the question is what color to pick… what limewash would you choose?
Limewash Colors

Source: Romabio
Bianco White- a true, bright white with no yellow undertones.

Source: Romabio
Riposo Beige- a darker beige with yellow undertones

Source: Romabio
Avorio White- a neutral white that works well with either cool or warm tones on trim and roofs.
They have 4 more colors too, but these were my top 3.
While we’re at it with limewashing the brick, we’ll be painting the trim and shutters too. I love so many of these looks that it’s hard to choose just one…
Shutter Colors:

Source: The Potted Boxwood
Black- A classic black and white would pop so beautifully. These are some of the Behr paint colors I’m considering that are great for exteriors, if you’re thinking of spiffing up your exterior too.
1. Behr Little Black Dress
2. Behr Black Suede
3. Behr Cracked Pepper

Source: Decor Pad
Cool Gray– The softer looks of a cool gray feels so welcoming.
1. Behr Barnwood Gray
2. Behr Elephant Skin
3. Behr Tin Foil
4. Behr Dark Pewter

Source: Claffisica
Warm Gray- A more yellowy gray would be so lovely too.
1. Behr Smoked Tan
2. Behr Cotton Grey
3. Behr Arid Plains

Source: Remodelaholic
Navy Blue- I love this punch of color that still behaves like a neutral.
1. Behr Starless Night
2. Behr English Channel
3. Behr Midnight Show

Source: Luxe
French Blue- This color is not so much a neutral but look how gorgeous! That color on the shutters coupled with a rustic wood front door would look so chic.
1. Behr Malaysian Mist
2. Behr Whipped Mint
3. Behr French Toile
4. Behr Rocky Mountain Sky
What would you pick? White limewash and black shutters? Warm gray limewash and French blue shutters? Warm beige limewash and warm gray shutters? Too. many. choices.



Limewashed House: Less is more! I love limewash…but only in smaller doses. The smaller home looks lovely, but the larger homes, to me, just look worn out. Especially those with the more muted color shutters.
If your home is large, like the first few samples you provided, I would paint it solid white, fern, or gray. Then paint a few random bricks a SLIGHTLY different tone of the same color.
If your home is smaller, or has a Craftsmanish style…go for it.
Shutters: if your home is large and you do the limewash…go with Black shutters. They will offer the best, and cleanest, contrast to the color of brick that is showing through. Note that several of the homes with colored shutters were solid white…except the small one. Which was my favorite.
There you go. Best wishes!!!
You are so right about solid and random bricks in darker tone. I am into the shabby look but not so much in a large home. I knew something was wrong with the pictures, but I couldn’t say it as well as you did?
I’m all about choices that are timeless. I vote Avorio White with black shutters. I love your home!
Avorio White and Black Shutters!
I like the Avorio white with black shutters. It is just such a class combination. Can’t wait to see the transformation and I know whatever you pick will be stunning!
I like the Avorio white and either the French Blue, which would look charming or classic black, but my suggestion would be if you go with the black to make it glossy. Makes it pop more from the washed brick. I think the French blue should not be glossy. I can also imagine classic window boxes with red geraniums…