Gray Huskie Benjamin Moore Painted Exterior

Our experience transforming our home’s exterior with Benjamin Moore Gray Huskie – a perfect gray balance for a modern, inviting look.

Welcome to our home transformation journey of painting the exterior of our New England Colonial with Benjamin Moore Gray Huskie! If you’re pondering a fresh, modern look for your home’s exterior, you’ve stumbled upon the perfect post. I’m diving deep into the world of Gray Huskie by Benjamin Moore, a beautifully balanced gray that’s not too dark, not too light, but just right.

Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast or seeking inspiration for your professional painter, we’ve got you covered with tips, tricks, and everything you need to know about this versatile shade. Join us as we explore the transformative power of Gray Huskie and discover how it can elevate your home’s curb appeal!

Four years of dreaming, pinning, and paint sampling have led to this moment–our home now boasts a stunning Gray Huskie exterior by Benjamin Moore!

Your journey may be similar; searching for that perfect shade, maybe even sneaking photos of houses you admire. I understand the excitement and relief when a big decor decision pays off. Gray Huskie’s perfect balance of blue undertones (without a hint of lavender) aligns seamlessly with our neutral interior, creating a welcoming facade we love.

Here’s how it all began.

Exterior Before

Many of you appreciated the original yellow exterior that came with the house, which I suspect is Hawthorne Yellow by Benjamin Moore based on a small can I found in the basement. As for me, my reaction was a bit different—I was eager for a change. After living in a house with yellow everywhere–both inside and out–I was ready for something new. When the yellow paint started peeling off, it was the perfect chance for us to pick a color that resonated with us. Have you ever felt the need for a complete color overhaul in your space?

The Impact of Directional Lighting on Exterior Color Choice

Directional lighting is key in paint selection, especially for homes like ours that face east and receive soft morning light. This light can change how paint colors appear. You can learn more about my basics for how to choose a paint color here.

The images above were taken later in the day with more filtered light, which gave the paint color a lavender undertone. The photo below this paragraph was taken around midday, showing how different times can affect color perception.

It’s crucial to understand this to ensure your paint choice reflects the desired look at all times. Remember, the orientation of your home affects how colors look, so it’s essential to test them under various lighting conditions.

Choosing the Right Shade for an Exterior

Testing interior favorites like Gray Owl for the exterior taught me an important lesson: colors look lighter outside. This is especially true for lighter grays, which may seem almost white in outdoor light. The natural light’s intensity and the open environment play a role in this. Always test your paint choices in the actual exterior setting to ensure they meet your expectations.

Benjamin Moore Gray Huskie: A Surprisingly Perfect Exterior Color Choice

When I found an inspiration photo that gave Gray Huskie by Benjamin Moore as a source, I was skeptical. Looking at the paint swatch, it appears to be a warm medium gray that’s almost brown.

But as the inspiration photo showed, while it may seem dark for an interior, it transforms into a beautifully soft, medium-light shade with cool, changing undertones when applied to exteriors.

This discovery highlights the importance of testing colors and being open to unexpected choices.

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Along with the new paint color, we also replaced the front door with a planked version and added some new planters (similar) and lanterns as part of this project.

In closing, our transformation with Benjamin Moore’s Gray Huskie was insightful and rewarding. This experience highlighted the importance of considering natural lighting and home orientation in choosing the perfect exterior paint. Our journey underscores the impact of thoughtful color selection in enhancing the character and curb appeal of a home.

I hope sharing my story sheds light on your own exterior painting project. Remember, it’s all about finding that balance between expert advice and your unique flair. For more tips and a peek into my color adventures, don’t forget to follow me @ninahendrickwrites! Let’s keep the conversation going, and I can’t wait to see how your homes turn out. Happy painting!

Update: A few years after painting the house, the paint began peeling off again in sheets. We discovered a lot of rot and also that the cedar siding had been stained in the past but not properly prepped before it was originally painted. This led to us replacing all of the siding and trim, and you can see the final results here.