Would You Live in a Standout House?

The Orange House

• Location: Northport, NY
• Built in: 1925
• Bought in: 2015 for $739,000
• Paint color: Marquis Orange by Sherwin-Williams

Homeowners Craig Winkler and Michelle Garnier Winkler fell in love with this house for its location and architectural style, but they had to do something about the dull, grayish-blue exterior. “It was kind of a sad place,” says Michelle. She reached out to a feng shui consultant for guidance and landed on this cheery orange with yellow trim. “It’s definitely polarizing,” says Michelle. “Some neighbors love it, others will tilt their heads and say, ‘Why did you paint your house that color?!’ But our family goals of happiness, creativity and joy have certainly come true here.”

The Red House

• Location: Oakland, CA
• Built in: 1912
• Bought in: 1989 for $280,000
• Paint colors: Bolero and Curry by Sherwin-Williams

Mark Middlebrook travels to Italy regularly for work, and when the time came to repaint his house, he knew what he wanted. “I’ve always been drawn to the rusty, saturated reds they use on homes in the Piedmont region,” he says. He had to get his wife, Amrita Daing, on board, though. “She was worried about resale value with a color this unique,” but eventually the two found the right shade, and she added a twist of her own: The trim is painted a deep yellow called Curry. “Amrita is from Calcutta, so it felt like it was meant to be,” says Mark.

The Purple House

• Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE
• Built in: 2011
• Bought in: 2020 for $2.7 million
• Paint colors: Wisteria and Extra White by Sherwin-Williams

Michael and Debbie Horning lived near this five-bedroom house for a decade, and every time they walked by, Michael would say, “If that ever comes on the market, I’m going to buy it.”

“We were so drawn to the color,” he explains. “It’s calming and serene but also really happy.” A few years ago, his dream came true: The house went up for sale, and he and Debbie snapped it up. Now the couple is building an addition so they have enough bedrooms for their five grandkids. Not to worry; the exterior color is staying.

The Green House

• Location: Olympia, WA
• Built in: 2011 for $480,000
• Paint color: Spring Moss by Benjmain Moore

“People in town refer to it as the Green Hulk,” says homeowner DT North of the three-bedroom house he shares with his wife, Kimberley. The couple’s designer suggested this shade of lime green for the Hardie board siding, and they were instantly sold. “It feels bright and welcoming during our long, gray Pacific Northwest winters.” The color isn’t the only special feature: This is one of Washington state’s first certified passive houses, meaning it’s super energy-efficient. “Our home is out of the box in every way,” DT says.

The Rainbow House

• Location: Viroqua, WI
• Built in: 1920
• Bought in: 2020 for $234,000
• Paint colors: Swimming, Fountain, Dahlia, Dynamo, Exuberant Pink, Real Red, Navel, Goldfinch, Electric Lime and Aquarium, all by Sherwin-Williams

Homeowners Justine and Shannon Egner know they’re living in every kid’s dream house. “If I could ask 6-year-old me what my perfect house would be, this is it,” says Justine. The exterior was already painted in rainbow colors when they saw the listing, but as a same-sex couple, they had to have a serious talk about whether they should buy it. “Living in a rainbow house is the epitome of ‘living out and proud,’ ” says Justine. Overall, the reception from their town has been incredibly positive. “One time a woman was snapping pics and saw us and shouted, ‘Sorry, I’m not stalking you — I just really love your house!’ ” says Shannon. “We don’t mind, because we do, too.”