The Monarch Colonial got a paint refresh, and I am in LOVE. If you’ve been around for a while, you might remember that we painted the brick at our previous home, The Monarch Revival, too! Yep—we’ve painted brick on two different homes now, and I have a lot of thoughts about it.
From choosing the right paint to answering the big question (“Should I even paint my brick at all?”), This post is for anyone who’s ever thought about taking the leap.
Painted Brick is Still Controversial
When we painted the brick at our Monarch Revival house, I got a surprising amount of pushback. Painting brick is definitely one of those things people have strong opinions about, and I get it. Once it’s painted, there’s no going back. But here’s the thing: your home should make YOU happy.
I always go back to this: we’ve made lots of big life decisions without knowing how they’d turn out—dental school, residency, cross-country moves, starting a business. And in every one of those decisions, we trusted the information we had in the moment, followed our gut, and made the best choice we could. Painting your brick might feel like a big decision, but you don’t need permission to love your home. If it’s something you want to do, do it.
Painting Brick: What You Need to Know Before You Start
Painting your brick exterior can feel like a big decision, because it is! Once you paint brick, there’s really no going back. But if you’ve been dreaming of a fresh, clean look or you want to modernize your home’s exterior, painting can be one of the most transformative things you do. Here’s what you need to know before you grab a brush or call your painter:
- Use the Right Paint: You need something specifically formulated for masonry—like Sherwin-Williams Loxon XP, which is what we used on our white Monarch Revival home. It’s breathable, durable, and designed to stand up to the elements. We used it in both our past and current homes and have had amazing results.
- Get a Quality Paint Sprayer: If you’re painting brick yourself, a good sprayer is a total game-changer. We used this one for multiple homes and loved how smooth and consistent the finish turned out. It saves a ton of time, minimizes brush strokes, and lets you get into all those little nooks and mortar lines without totally wearing yourself out. (Trust me—once you’ve sprayed, you’ll never want to roll an exterior again!)
- Planning Your Palette: Even if you think you’ve found the perfect shade, brick can surprise you! Texture, lighting, and surrounding elements (like landscaping or roof color) can all impact how a paint color looks once it’s on the house. Sample a few options directly on your brick, and look at them in both sunlight and shade before you commit. Are you going for a cozy farmhouse vibe? Pair a creamy white like Greek Villa with warm-toned shutters and rustic wood accents like we did at The Monarch Colonial. Want something sharp and modern? Pure White with bold black trim, like our Monarch Revival, gives you that clean contrast that really pops.
Don’t Let Opinions Hold You Back: Painting your brick is a bold move, but bold can be beautiful. It’s easy to second-guess a big change when everyone has an opinion, but ultimately, you’re the one living in your home every day. If a fresh coat of paint makes you smile every time you turn into the driveway, that’s reason enough to go for it.
House No. 13: Our First Painted Brick Transformation
Before the Monarch Revival and the Monarch Colonial, we actually painted the brick on House No. 13—our Mesa, Arizona home. This was our very first brick painting project, and it completely transformed the exterior. We did almost all of it ourselves (minus the pavers and courtyard landscaping), and it’s still one of my favorite before-and-afters to date.
We used Behr Masonry, Stucco & Brick Paint in White, applied with the Graco X7 paint sprayer. This sprayer made the job doable—even on those hot Arizona days—and gave the house such a smooth, clean finish. For the shutters, front door, and RV gate, we used Behr Carbon in a satin finish, which gave us that soft contrast we now know and love.
It wasn’t just a paint project; it was a full vision come to life. House No. 13 taught us how impactful brick paint can be, and it gave us the confidence to keep going with future homes.
Monarch Revival: Pure White & Carbon
In our Monarch Revival, we went classic: a white painted brick exterior with black trim, which had been a dream of ours for years. We used:
- Sherwin-Williams Pure White for the brick
- Behr Carbon for the shutters, trim, and door
Pure White is just that: pure. It reads clean and bright without going too cool, and it paired beautifully with the soft contrast of Carbon, which is black but not too harsh.
We used Sherwin-Williams Loxon XP Masonry Paint for the exterior. It’s made specifically for brick and has held up beautifully in all weather conditions. That durability truly does make all the difference.
And yes, it was a huge job. This house was tall, and we ended up renting it out. But if you can safely reach your exterior, it’s totally a DIY-able project with the right tools.Best tool for the job: We used a professional-grade paint sprayer and can’t recommend it enough. It saved us hours and gave the smoothest finish without tons of overspray.
Monarch Colonial: Greek Villa with Timeless Charm
When it came time to choose paint for our new home, The Monarch Colonial, we knew we wanted another white—but this time, something a little warmer.
Enter: Sherwin-Williams Greek Villa.
Greek Villa is a soft, creamy white that works beautifully on exteriors. It has just enough warmth to feel inviting, but never looks yellow or dingy. With an LRV of 84, it reflects a lot of light but avoids that blinding brightness some cool whites can have.
We paired it with Benjamin Moore Boothbay Gray for the shutters and doors, and I’m obsessed with the combination. It’s fresh without being too stark, warm without being yellow, and classic without feeling dated.
Comparing Pure White vs. Greek Villa
If you’re trying to choose between the two:
- Pure White: More crisp and clean. Pairs well with bold contrast. Better if you’re going for a sharp, modern exterior.
- Greek Villa: Warmer and softer. Feels more traditional or coastal. Great if you want a cozier, more lived-in look.
You really can’t go wrong. It just depends on the vibe you’re going for!
Would We Do It Again?
Absolutely. Twice now, actually! And both times have completely transformed the way our homes feel. The Revival gave us that sharp, fresh, white-and-black look that we had dreamed about for years. The Colonial gave us a cozy, classic refresh with a soft white that feels welcoming and warm.
Your home is allowed to evolve as you do. Don’t be afraid to make a change—painting brick might be bold, but it can totally transform the way your home feels.
Before |
After |
Love this? Pin it! 🙂
See what else I’m up to, HERE!
Hi Mallory!
In the process of painting my home. What color did you settle on for the Masonry paint?