Thinking about painting the exterior of your brick house? Do it. I’m excited to share the before-and-after of my home: a white painted brick exterior with mid-century modern accents in charcoal and warm brown tones.
At first I was skeptical about painting brick, but the transformation has been remarkable. The painted brick blends beautifully with the siding and reflects a clean, modern aesthetic that complements the interior design of my home.
Why we chose Abbott Paint and Carpet
I partnered with Abbott Paint and Carpet, a St. Paul, MN-based company that simplifies both interior and exterior projects. Their design guidance and project support made this renovation much easier than I expected. Instead of searching endlessly for contractors and paint samples, Abbott helped guide the process from concept to completion.
- Storyboard: Abbott helped me visualize the finished look. Working with a designer made it easy to refine details and choose a cohesive exterior palette.
- Paint selection: They offer extensive color options and can match nearly any shade, so finding the right white and the perfect charcoal accent was simple.
- Trusted contractors: Abbott maintains a reliable network of professional painters, which took the guesswork out of hiring and scheduling.
- Local presence: Abbott operates multiple locations locally, which is helpful for in-person consultations and follow-up.
Design vision
My main goal was to make the exterior feel like an extension of the interior. Inside my home I favor a bright, airy palette with black accents and a mid-century farmhouse vibe. To reflect that, we settled on a white exterior with deep charcoal trim and accents. Abbott created a rendering from a photograph of my house so I could see the proposed look before committing. That preview made a big difference—painting a house is a significant decision, and seeing the concept ahead of time felt reassuring.
The paint: Vintage 24
Before this project I didn’t realize brick could be painted so seamlessly. Abbott recommended an exterior-grade product from their private label called Vintage 24. It’s formulated for a wide range of exterior surfaces, including brick and masonry, and is designed to resist fading and blistering.
- Breathable latex house paint suitable for exterior wood, masonry, brick, and primed metal.
- Fade- and blister-resistant; water-thinnable and easy to apply.
- Works well on aluminum siding, wood siding, shakes, primed metal, and masonry.
- Can be applied by brush, roller, or spray.
The paint job process
Every house and contractor is different, but painting our exterior took three days. Here’s how the work progressed and why each step matters for a durable, professional finish.
Day 1 – Power washing and detail priming: Thorough cleaning removes dirt, mildew, and loose material, which is essential for lasting adhesion—especially on older brick.
Day 2 – Primer: Primer was applied using a sprayer for even coverage and efficiency. Proper priming ensures the topcoat adheres well and provides consistent color.
Day 3 – Topcoat and trim: The final coat transformed the exterior; painting the trim in charcoal created contrast that allowed the white brick to really pop. Attention to trim and small details made the biggest visual difference.
Before and after: the reveal
The results are dramatic. Painting the brick and coordinating the siding created a cohesive, modern look that complements our roof and landscaping. Below are highlights from the front and back transformations and the small updates that tied everything together.
The front
The front elevation feels refreshed and contemporary. The white brick provides a clean backdrop while the charcoal planters, front door, and garage door add depth and definition. We also updated the light fixture, mailbox, and house numbers to reinforce a mid-century modern aesthetic. Small changes like those help the entire façade feel intentional and finished.
The back
The rear of the house needed the most attention. An upstairs addition had left mismatched siding that looked patchy and out of place. Painting the siding and brick with the same color family created a unified look. The white contrasts nicely with the lawn and roof, and I have plans for improving the patio area in the future—fresh concrete and landscaping will complete the backyard update.
This post was sponsored by Abbott Paint and Carpet. I was compensated for this project, and all opinions expressed here are my own.