Can you mix brick and stone on your exterior? It’s possible, but I have seen so many bad exteriors with multiple combinations of brick and stone over the years. This kind of combination requires a bit of legwork. Because, if you don’t consider the relationship to your exterior finishes, this combination makes coordinating the colour on your house a mess. So, here are my colour expert steps to follow.
There is a very expensive neighbourhood in the Lower Mainland filled with custom homes built using a combination of brick and stone.
When I drive around, I have yet to see a good example of a combination that works. Or, an example where the colours were clearly chosen to coordinate with both the brick and the stone.
If you are considering a new build or exterior renovation, you may be overwhelmed with all the choices and considering leaving it up to your builder. But I can help!
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I’m not exaggerating when I say that most of these homes are so ugly, I start feeling bad for the homeowner. Also, it makes me wonder if I’m the only one who notices that the combination is not good. Surely there was a designer involved with some of them?
I have consulted with many homeowners who are not happy with the plans their Architect has drawn up. And many times, together, we have either eliminated the specified stone or brick, or moved it around on the home so that it looks more balanced.
When we have eliminated it entirely, it’s because it makes no sense. It’s almost like it’s the Architects version of accent tile inside the home. They add it because they think it makes the home more interesting, even if it’s not necessary and certainly not timeless.
7 Steps to Choosing Brick and Stone for your Exterior
However, if you are committed to choosing brick and stone for your exterior, here is my best advice:
1. Don’t try to find a combination that matches.
I would ONLY choose a matching combination if you found a house that you liked and could source the EXACT stone and brick on that house.
Going through image after image, I mostly find countless examples of homes where the final result looks like the they tried to match the stone and brick, but failed. Choosing brick and stone for your exterior can be troubling. This home (above) succeeded in a matched combination, but again, unless you could source exactly what was installed on this house, I would not try this at home, by yourself.
Plus when you think about it, if the stone and brick match this closely, why add stone at all? Better to just build the entire house with brick so you don’t run the risk of clashing with a close, but not close enough, look.
2. Choose a combination with contrast.
But, keep one of the choices pale grey, white or cream, like this house below.
Contemporary Landscape by Milieu Design
3. Match the brick to the colour found in the stone.
4. Choose the correct type of stone that coordinates with the style of your home.
5. Keep your colour combination classic and simple.
6. If your brick clashes with the stone, paint it.
7. Choose your roof to coordinate.
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With the new love of stone in the new subdivisions (and renovation of old as well as in-fill homes) this is a timely posting. Thanks Maria.
So interesting! Yes,yes, yes (!!!) I pay close attention to exterior colors and stone/brick combinations. In fact I was recently looking at one of our old homes via zillow and noticed the shutters and front door had been painted red; the brick is taupe (I think that’s the right color name; the undertone is pink). It was like nails on a chalkboard for me:) When we built the home (the builder already had the brick chosen and installed), we took the taupe (?) in the brick and deepened it significantly for the shutters and door. It’s difficult for me to visualize any other color working except “maybe” a charcoal grey as I believe there was a little in the brick.
Another pet peeve? The heavy use of brown in all of its various shades for exteriors!
Excellent article and so well explained, Maria. Thank you for the great photos as well. It truly puts into perspective what you’re saying!
Your advice is right on, as usual. The Atlanta 1930s house looks good because they used real stone back then, rather than veneer or engineered “faux stone” masonry products. In the contemporary examples shown, the stonework looks pretty realistic but I’d largely attribute that to these houses being upscale and superior products were used. Stone exteriors that scream “veneer” are jarring. Another pet peeve is using brick and/or stone on the front facade and siding on the other three — go big or go home.
I agree with Maria and Dawn that the trim colors chosen are very important. Lots of colors clash with, or aren’t complementary to, brick and it limits the choices, especially regarding any color with some red in it. Bright white is also a big mistake (looking at the ugly and prominent white gutters on a brick, stucco and half-timbered Tudor house across the street, no other white on it, and cringing . . .).
I live in a brand new subdivision in central florida and rarely/if not ever see a combo that goes well together.
The thought waves must be flowing…I want to put stone around the lower part of our cabin which is weathered gray w /slate roof. I JUST SAID to my husband that it has to be the genuine article…a task ahead of us for certain. franki
Have you been reading my mind? As in interior design professional like yourself, I also take great interest in the exteriors as well. I live in southern Ontario where the majority of home exteriors are brick with or without stone. This topic has been my pet peeve lately as I watch yet another huge epensive home being built in my neighbourhood, replacing the 1950’s bungalows (which I might add are also decked out in ugly brick with ugly stone), all with a brick and stone combination and ALL of them UGLY!! I feel terrible for the eventual homeowners, all seem to be spec homes. I keep asking myself, how can no one be able to choose an attractive exterior? How does this keep happening? I keep my eye out for a brick and stone combo that is truly appealing, I have yet to find one and I have been looking for years. In my opinion, I just wish everyone would just stop trying, stop combining brick with stone, it just doesn’t work. Do all brick or combine stone with stucco or the wood siding that is now available that is maintenance free because the finish is baked on. Builders have been combining stone and brick here since the 1950’s, probably even longer, and I have yet to see it work. It is one of the most permanent things on a house that cannot be changed, at least tearing out the accent tile in a shower or backsplash can be done, this hodgepodge of stone and brick is usually never undone until the house is torn down, so now we all get to suffer and view it for decades. I have been seriously considering moving to BC Maria and brick and stone exteriors are one of the things I look forward to leaving behind!! I can’t stand the assault on my visual sense everytime I walk out the front door, there is one directly across from my front door!
Haha, great comment, I totally agree, it so rarely looks good. Maria
I’ve searched for homes that have a great brick/stone combo in my area and online and the only ones I found were the few online that you noted, Maria. We’re building and the hubs wants some stone exterior accent and I don’t for the very reasons you have listed. For the compromise, would a stone fireplace with sitting hearth and large wood mante look out of line with no other stone in the home? Great article, Maria, you always know what we need to know when we need it!!!
The wood siding that you said is maintenance free because it’s baked on. Not maintenance free. Has to be repainted after 10-20 years depending on where you live. We almost went with it till we spoke to a few installers and changed our minds. I feel that you need to do what makes you happy. Your money your home, your life. I have all brick, but have seen some nice brick and stone. To each theirs own.
Amen! This post should be required reading in all builders design centers. I live in the Houston suburbs and the newer master planned communities going up are perfect examples of what not to do! Builders recommend using a variety of brick/stone/stucco that does not relate to each other in any way. The neighborhoods are lovely and the homes are expensive. I just don’t understand this!!
Hi neighbor!
I’m in the Houston burbs too. Like you I’m seeing this in most of the new development around me. Personally, I loathe the look. I also wonder if it’s going to age well.
Good Morning Maria,
In example #7 what would you have suggested for the roof, shutters and front door? And will you be doing a post on garage doors. Never sure what should be done with them. Thank you.
I second that. I’m on my third colour for garage doors- went from red garage doors next to weathered wood sidng to a blended monochromatic look of gray green and now it looks boring but the doors do recede that way. Garage doors are tricky because they’re so bossy.
This is exactly what happened with my house inside and out before we bought it. There was lots of brick used inside and out and then a previous owner decided to add a stone fireplace inside and a stone wall to the pool, all directly next to the brickwork. The pool would be an expensive fix that I will save for later, but I am going to paint the fireplace brick.
Good post Maria. I see so many examples of bad brick and stone combinations.
And this is why when I built my house I used only brick! I really haven’t seen very many combos that look good. I’m the only house in my neighborhood with brick only. I think brick+stone is going to be dated eventually.
Rule 2 is important and often overlooked out here.
There’s some sort of horrible thing going on here (Sydney Aus.) where there seems to be a competition between builders to put as many different cladding materials on one helpless house as they can.
Want some brick? Okay.
Well if you want brick you NEED some stone! It doesn’t have to go or anything. It just has to be there. How about that plus render plus maybe some seamed metal or some stained wood?
Ugh.
I like pale, pale gray stone. And yes, I know it bothers some people, but when in doubt – paint the damn brick, especially if it was ugly brick veneer in the first place.
I too feel sorry for homeowners with new construction. It seems that architects today have that McMansion mentality. The Wikipedia definition makes sense:
…mix multiple architectural styles and elements…multiple roof lines, unnecessarily complicated massing…producing a displeasingly jumbled appearance. The builder may have attempted to achieve expensive effects with cheap materials, skimped on details, or hidden defects with cladding… old to “parvenu” – those having new money but lack the necessary refinement. The definition of parvenu on Wikipedia references Molly Brown survivor of the Titanic – who went from rags to riches overnight.
Very informative, Maria. My pet peeve with many homes that I see; is stark white clad windows that scream…. ‘look at me, look at me’. ☺ -Brenda-
Hi, can you tell me what would be a better choice on example 7 for the roof, etc.? To me the black does not look bad.
Painting the red brick. There is no roof colour that can save this colour scheme. Maria
Hey Becky
I totally agree. The black doesn’t look bad to me either. I guess it is a matter of taste, though reading the comments suggests I am in the minority here…
I agree with Wanda’s comment below though I also agree that one must be mindful of the visual impact of the house on neighbours and passers by.
I too like the brick/stone and stucco combos. Although I agree that not all are done well but i do like the look when done well.
Oh I can’t tell you what a pet peeve of mine this is! I live in the midwest in Illinois. The big trend right now here is trying to make a regular house have a “prairie” or craftsman look. So adding stone, brick, shake shingles and the wrong roof pitches are making me crazy! Thanks for sharing this. I want to take it to every builder in town and show them the right way to combine the brick and stone!
Oh, mismatched, horribly clashing exterior brick and stone is a huge problem here in Dallas and the surrounding suburbs. I thought it was just our area but it sounds like it’s a nationwide or even worldwide epidemic! You must choose your mixture very, very carefully or it looks awful, awful, awful!
Would anyone be willing to look at this picture and tell me what color this brick is? I guess it’s recycled old Chicago brick, but I cannot figure out the predominant color or undertone. And do you think our brown tile roof, brick and stone accents work together? I can’t decide if it blends even though it’s blah or it’s totally hopeless.
Guess you need the pic:
http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=2niu1s5&s=8
Keep it simple sweetie.
Beyond certain price points it’s an idea tossed to the middle & lower classes.
Yet looks like champagne budget on beer taste.
Amazing how often, aka each job, I have to sell elements of what I call ‘the poverty cycle’. The best design isn’t about $$$.
.
Garden & Be Well, XO Tara
Hi all, we are building a home and I am going to have brick and stone combination. I am so worried about how it will look and ….what’s my point?….I just need to vent. Wish I could start over….
I WOULD LOVE TO REFACE THE FRONT OF MY HOME IN BRICK AND STONE. I ALSO LIKE KITCHENS AND FIREPLACES THAT HAVE THAT LOOK TOO !! I DO WORRY ABOUT WHAT THE OUTCOME WILL LOOK LIKE, EVERYONE DOES. EVERYONE HAS THEIR OWN TASTE, AND COLOR CHOICE IS TOTALLY UP TO EACH PERSON’S PERSONAL TASTE. I KNOW SOME PEOPLE ARE COLOR BLIND, BUT IF THAT PERSON IS HAPPY WITH THEIR CHOICE, THAN THAT IS ALL THAT MATTERS.
I like your advice about choosing a combination with contrast. The picture of the red brick house and white stone go really well together. I want to make sure that I choose the right combination in order to get the best look for my entryway.
I have noticed this too and wondered why add the rock because it didn’t make sense. I have a client that wants me to help her figure out the brick and stone and roof material. Goodness I am having some sleepless night over this. Thank you for your post. Studying this one hard.
After reading your posts about black roofs always working, I am surprised by comment 7…
THanks for the heads up, I went back and read that post I wrote about choosing a roof colour and added a new paragraph so that people don’t think it’s like a pair of jeans that goes with everything! It works a lot of the time, but obviously each house is different and there’s no such thing as a fool proof colour scheme without taking the entire house into consideration. Maria
I wonder if anyone can help. My home is a light green (sage) stucco with whitewashed brick columns. I was thinking of adding stone to the area beneath the window sills but I wasn’t sure if it was too much texture.
I was considering gray to match the charcoal roof and gray walkway.
We would love to help but there is no way we can give you accurate advice without photos, this is NOT something anyone should do without the help of a professional who understands the undertones of neutrals and can tell you whether this is even a look that would enhance your house!! Here is the link to buy the consultation. https://mariakillam.com/product/stone/
Maria,
When I was twenty two years old I framed the side of a local weathered barn with my hands and said, “I will have gray wood floors if I ever build a house”. All these years later I’m 54 and am building a new home! I WILL have gray floors and very pale gray walls … I will have a soft olive green sofa, etc. I love the open and airy, light-filled look.
Your article has been very helpful to me. I also plan to have a few pieces of dark brown stained wood which will look fabulous with the gray. You have inspired me to choose some other colors. I love timeless pieces and am so excited!
Thank you for your encouragement and direction!
Sincerely,
Sandy Koors