“I am rooted to the land and I find myself often longing to turn onto the gravel drive…to swing open the creaky barn door…to follow the corn rows. Sunset and sunrise unbroken by buildings. Wind rustling. The heady scent of freshly-mown alfalfa. The rich earthy smell of the land at planting time and harvest. Wagons brimming with corn. Quiet. Stars studding the blackness.”
-Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Happy Friday, y’all! 😀
The poll I posted at the end of Monday’s post told me the majority of you want to connect via video on Fridays…
…and for the 24.9% of you who voted “No, thank you!”- I think what I’ll do is keep blogging as usual. Meaning, there will always be words and pictures on Fridays, too. The vlog videos will just be an additional feature to the blog post. How does that sound? And don’t forget, if you’re not able to watch them because you read blogs somewhere you can’t have the volume up, you can always come back and watch them here or on YouTube when it’s more convenient. And if time length is an issue, I’m going to try to keep most of my vlogs under 3 minutes so they’ll be a pretty quick watch. Maybe I’ll create a separate page here on my blog to keep them organized too? I’ll have to talk to my tech gal about that.
Okay, now onto today’s post! It’s about the color barn red. The neighborhood architectural review board (ARB) has to approve exterior paint colors around here, and since we’re at the stage where we need to choose my in-laws barn color, it’s time for us to pick the perfect rustic red. I scoured the internet to see what colors red barn owners prefer, but there were SO many suggestions out there and most of them didn’t have an accompanying photo. And when I did find photos of barns that I liked, there wasn’t a paint color listed. :-/
And speaking of researching barn stuff, y’all, WOW. Have you ever Googled “barn attached to house” before? Holy eye candy, Batman!
…and don’t even get me started on this barn/house combo on the market for $64,500 in Stockton Springs, Maine!
The listing reads, “Set in the heart of the coastal village of Stockton Springs and just a short walk to the harbor, this 3 bedroom, 2 bath, circa 1853 home still has many period features such as original moldings, built-ins, hardwood floors and a fabulous, 2-level, 26′ x 32′ attached barn, thought to be the old stagecoach stop for the Stockton Springs to Bangor route. Ready for updating, this year-round home offers so much—including a 3-season porch, a large, sunny backyard, new wiring and an automatic generator installed in 2015.”
Sure hope somebody snatches that sweet thing up soon!
Okay- back to barn red.
While I was researching colors, I also learned that farmers started painting their barns red in the late 1700s. Turns out they wanted to shield their barns’ (unpainted) wood from the elements, so they began experimenting with ways to make their own protective paint. They came up with a recipe consisting of skimmed milk, lime, and red iron oxide, which created a rusty red-colored mixture that became super popular because it was cheap to make and lasted for years. Farmers were able to easily obtain the iron oxide from soil, and they noticed that the homemade paint kept the buildings warmer during the wintertime, since the darker color absorbs the warmth from the sun more than plain, weathered wood. Pretty cool, huh?
So, these are some of the colors I want to try samples of:
Benjamin Moore’s ‘Deep Rose’:
Benjamin Moore’s ‘Caliente’:
Benjamin Moore’s ‘Heritage Red’:
…which looks waaay too “cherry” on those doors, but I like the way it looks in the photo on the right.
I talk a little more in depth about all of them in today’s vlog…as well as one more color I’ve got my eye on. And spoiler alert: I think it’s going to be the winner. 😉 Click the play button on the video below to watch:
Do you have any other suggestions for me? Thanks in advance for any tips you can throw my way! XO
PS- the back of our house DOES face straight South…not Southwest. I was mixed up there. (I miss you, Tacy! XO)
Hi Layla,
Before you said it, I was thinking that I should mention Serena from the Farnchicks’ Barn. You’ll definitely want the red with the brown undertones if you want it to hold up well in sunlight. A few years ago we built a shed and had paint colormatched to the siding on our house which was Canexcels Country Red. I had to go back twice with it before they had the color just right but both times they added more brown. This could be partly due to the fact that the siding is done in a semi transparent stain. However the shed is in full sunlight and has held up remarkably well. a neighbor also did their house red but a few years later it wax very purplely so be careful of that as well. I think you would be happy with Serenas choice. Have fun choosing the right color. Merry Christmas!
I like the last one best, crabby Apple, fab name too.
Really pleased you’re going to keep the videos coming.
Love your wee dog, can you introduce us?
Mx
I never knew your home faced north. I always pictured it southern facing…. Weird how you have something pictured in your mind and never even thought about it! I also love Serena’s barn. And having a “tester” who already knows it works is a great piece of mind!! Is your home getting painted white at the same time? Love this! ~Kim
My favorite is the deep rose! I did not know all that information about the barns!
I like the crabby Apple. ?
You had me at brown undertones so I pick “Crabby Apple”!! I have never painted a building with red paint but have used it for other projects outside, and have been disappointed how they look after fading. Has to be because I didn’t choose brown undertones!
Enjoying your posts about this addition to house your in-laws. I think it is a very viable and wonderful option for families today. I am curious, however, how you plan to handle the issue of more than one floor for Kevin’s aging parents? This was a question I handled with my father, but was lucky enough to build a house with a master bedroom downstairs. I love the barn concept but all your photos appear to be a 2 story addition. Can you include, in this story line, how families might handle the issue of safety (stairs) if they consider the option of shared (but also private) housing?
Hi Linda!
Our addition will be a one-story addition, so no new stairs to climb around here.
I’m not sure how one would handle the issue of safety if it were a 2-story situation? I guess I would probably rely on the advice of our builder?
crabby apple all the way!!!!!
That home in Stockton Springs is right around the corner from me! Well, not exactly, but here in Maine, where everything is 30-45 minutes away, it’s close enough to call it right around the corner. 😉
I dream of having an attached barn. The old New Englanders knew what they were doing. Every time I go out to feed and care for the goats and chickens who live in a smallish shed 3 miles away (just kidding, it’s only about 100 yards away, but when it’s spitting sleet or is 20 degrees below 0, it feels like 3 miles).
P.S. I like the Crabby Apple. Color and Name. 🙂
Love the last color choice! So pretty. Love your vlogs too.
Tractor Supply has a barn paint that they sell of the shelf — it’s called classic red. It would be interesting to see how that color stacks up to some of the colors mentioned here.
Hey Layla, this has nothing to do with the color of your new barn addition, but we will be moving into an addition to our kids home and I’m interested in knowing if you are putting in an elevator for Kevin’s parents? We will be on the second floor of the addition, and require a way of returning to the first floor. There is a set of stairs, but one of us is in a wheelchair and the other has back and hip problems.
Do you have any information and/or specs on installing one?
Thanks for any help.
Oh, no, I mentioned in my first post about the barn that ours will be a one-story structure. I’m not familiar with installing elevators, but I hope whoever is building your addition will have info about that. How great that you are moving in with your kiddos! I’m excited for you! 😀
Layla,
I have a Red house. Its a board and batten. Oh yes…the reds are not even close even when they look close. Our house is nestled in the pines so all the green plays against it. 🙂 when we bought it, it was barn red with rusty tones. I love love love my red. 🙂 thats on it now. Samples where a must on the material, one color went”pinkish” on us.
I love Caliente and Crabby Apple. (and I did smile when you said that name – so cute!) I must have missed that you’re building a barn. Can’t wait to see what you’re doing.
Love love love the Crabby Apple color! The perfect barn red color I think! Second choice is the second color you mentioned. And if I could pack up and move I would jump on that Maine house in a skinny minute! I adore Maine and that house and barn, love it!!!
I also like the last one – Crabby Apple. Can’t wait to see the end result!
Thanks, Jann! I can hardly wait, too! 😀
You are simple adorable!
simply…. 🙂
Our kids have a playhouse in the back yard that we painted BM Caliente. It’s beautiful and looks so nice! Its a great color and hasn’t faded in the sun at all.
Ooh! Can you email me a photo, Brenda? I would LOVE to see it! 😀
You make me smile every video!!!???
When we bought our house, the cinder block of our garage was painted a tan/brown color. From years of weather it was very dingy. The face of the garage and our home it’s self is red brick. So I decided to paint the back and sides of the garage red to match the brick. Home Depot sale a barn and fence red that has a brown undertone. The paint is fair cheap and since the structure your building is large it might be something to consider to keep paint cost down. I love caliente from the choices above. I can’t wait to see what you choose.
I am leaning towards Heritage red just because it seems to be a true red. I wonder how it would change over time in the sun?
Valspar has a great barn red, Posh Red. I used it as a front door color of an old farmhouse we used to own, white exterior, black roof and red door, it was perfect. Recently almost used it as an exterior color but went a different direction, Sherwin Williams Moody Blue. Good luck, I’m sure whatever you pick will be great. 🙂
Crabby Apple! yes. 😉
I love the red. My kitchen is painted in it and I’m preparing to paint my cabinets antique white hoping all turns out well.
Check SW Barn red, it’s a rusty red color, very earthy color and probably similar to the historical red oxides used. Exterior colors are so tricky, If it were me I’d paint your favorites on large foam core and set them outside. Grasses run from yellow green to deep blue green, your other planting colors and driveway surfaces all impact what red will look good with them! We used that color as an accent on our Victorian farmhouse and we love it!
Current red and ladybug red are also great by Ben Moore
Hi Layla…
I LOVE the barn idea for your addition. We lived in NH for 15 years and it is a common sight in NE. Our house and our detached barn were both red 🙂 I recommend a semitransparent stain. We used BM aptly named barn red. It had the brown undertones and stood up well to the NH weather. It will fade slightly over time but no peeling and cracking like paint. The front of our house got the hot evening sun in the summer and in the winter was piled with snow and the stain really held up well. 🙂
Hope this helps! Happy planning!
I was so glad to hear you are taking in to consideration the sun fade. We just recently sold our 8 yr. old house, and I had planned on re-painting the shutters due to sun fade. They faced NE, so got the morning sun, but boy, did they fade! The house sold in 3 days, so I never had the chance to paint!
I like the Crabby Apple also, for the undertones. Maybe chat with the folks at your local farm and home store to see if they have suggestions too. Farmers ain’t got no time to be paintin’ barns all the time! :-))
sorry Layla… after checking with my hubby it was actually Cabot solid color stain in barn red… oops 🙂 We bought it at a paint store that sold BM and Cabot.
Hi Layla,
I Love Behrs at Homes Depots! Barn Red!! And it’s afordable!!
How about Stadium Red by Ralph Lauren. It has those good undertones I think 🙂
Love hearing about your research! I’m a farm girl from KS. Lots of red barns in my history; I’d go Crabby Apple or Caliente; they are closer to a barn color. My son has red shutters and they have faded to a rust brown and still look good. So definitely go with a brown undertone! Ask for tones in the mix before you order…will confirm what your eye sees. Reds are not easy…I was going for a pale yellow and dark red in my bedroom years ago and ended up with KC Chiefs team colors…can you say do-over?!
Love the Crabby Apple!!!! I can’t wait to see the finished barn!!!
I spent forever researching good barn colors on the internet before choosing our red. We live in the PNW so I don’t know how the different light might affect the color, but we painted our barn this spring in Vermillion by Sherwin-Williams after slapping up a few different colors. We LOVE it. Not sure how to post a photo but here’s a link to the blog post. http://www.woodsofwoodinville.com/?p=776
My favorite so far is “Crabby Apple” but am looking forward to seeing the actual samples! Have they started building yet?
I just googled “perfect barn red” and found this link which compares various reds, has pics and lists the paint info:
http://www.gardenista.com/posts/the-8-best-red-exterior-house-paints
I think the ones you’re looking at above may be too bright. Barn red (to me at least) is more “dusty” than bright.
Yes! That’s where I found all three colors, Em! I Googled the same thing! 😀
Haha, I realized that was probably where you got them from right after I hit “post”. Sorry! 🙂
I can’t thank you enough for your post today. It speaks to my heart so.
I am excited for you & Kevin and all the exciting stuff on the horizon for you. I hope the Neighbourhood board is cool with one of your colour choices (truth be told, I hope they approve your favourite). I might throw a suggestion in there of a “gentler” shade of red as a back-up plan, depending on what other colours are used on your street.
I love how you put the history of barn colours in your blog! You rock!
I love the photos of the barn/houses. Hello Pinterest! 😉
And I am truly gratitude-filled for your decision about the vlog-Vendredi (that’s French, but I remember thinking Haitian creole looked pretty close to the basic French I took in school). That’s so kind of you to arrive at a decision like that. Bless you.
The reason your post speaks to me so deeply today, though –and has me needing to take yet another extended washroom break to compose myself… God bless my supervisor and boss for being sensitive to that- is because my grandmother passed away last Wednesday and her funeral was at the beginning of this week. She was a farm girl through and through. A tiny little Manitoba town called Alonsa that most likely none of your audience will have ever heard of. She would have smiled and giggled at this post. We were blessed in so many ways. Faith and family were her top two priorities. Grandma would have been 89 next month – we were blessed by her love for almost-89 years. But still this part of the circle of life sucks. We celebrated 100 years of the family farm remaining in our family this summer. She was so delighted.
Thus I’m adoring this post for kind-of selfish reasons. Thank you for all the ways your blog is a blessing. I am so very grateful.
Ok, coffee break is over (I often check your blog on my coffee breaks), better get back to work. Think I’d better splash some cold water on my face to see if the “crying look” will fade.
So excited for you guys! (all five of you)
Yep, crabby apple it is. Also more Texas Aggie-ish with that brown undertone, which is a good thing!
Layla – I love a barn red house. We painted our home, In Vancouver British Columbia, a Benjamin Moore color called Strathcona Red (VC 27) It is part of a palette called Historical Vancouver True Colors. It is an awesome color and one I will be using on another house lol. I use Caliente inside my home (and love it) but have never looked at the color outside. It is very vibrant inside. Have fun with your color choice
Crabby Apple is the winner! Looks like it would be an awesome color! I know you’ll
Pick something fabulous anyway without my 2 cents! Haha!
So excited for you guys . . . ALL of you! xo
Ahhh!!! This made my night! I got a shout out!!!!! So fun. Love you and love crabby apple! Come west soon!!?
You might look at Ranch Red by Coronado ,I used it on some salvaged screen doors and it looks great!
Annie Sloan’s Primer Red is a great color. Maybe have a paint mixed to match?
I was one of those people who said, “video, no video… doesn’t really matter to me.” But, I love the video!! 🙂 Seeing you sitting on your sofa with your gallery wall behind you gives me such a better understanding of the scale and arrangement of your space! Plus, how fun is “Crabby Apple!?” 🙂 Love it.
You are absolutely adorable and even more so in these videos. 🙂 When I saw the kitchen with a Caliente island, my heart went pitter pat. But the barn painted Crabby Apple looks perfect. Can’t wait to see what you choose!
Hello Layla,
Thank you for linking this post to my blog (1st image). I was happy when I saw it! 🙂
Since you’re talking about paint colors, that specifically barn is painted with Suburban Red #18 in Velvet sheen by Miller Paints, and the designer is Henderer Design + Build.
I just tough this might help someone. That red is a classic! 🙂
Many hugs and I hope you have a Blessed week!
Luciane from HomeBunch.com
Love the crabby apple- especially on that barn in the last photos with all that snow. Time to go on a virtual exploration! 🙂
Layla, I noticed that all of the red barns are attached to white houses. Are you thinking of painting your house white? I love, love, love white houses with black shutters (though I’ve never lived in one!) and think a white house would look so nostalgic with your in-laws’ red barn. ?
Yep! I mentioned that in my last vlog, but I may have forgotten to type it in my blog post! 😀
Love love the very last color you shared. The one on Serena’s barn. Perfect barn red.
Love crabby Apple
Have you looked at true value’s Jamestown red?
Our old cape cod house we painted that color 15 years ago and it still looking fabulous
I like the crabby apple for outside, but the deep rose is gorgeous for that bathroom pictured.
My grandma has a red barn on her property here in Yorba Linda, Ca (there’s a pic on my blog), but I have no idea what the color is. I’ll do some investigating next time I’m over there. 🙂