Modern Farmhouse Exterior Colors
The modern farmhouse formula: Sherwin-Williams Alabaster (SW 7008) on the body, Benjamin Moore White Dove (OC-17) on trim, Sherwin-Williams Tricorn Black (SW 6258) on the door and gutters, and a black metal roof.
The exact colors
Brand, name and code for every role, so you can order the same swatches.
Body
Alabaster
Sherwin-Williams · SW 7008
Trim
White Dove
Benjamin Moore · BM OC-17
Front door
Tricorn Black
Sherwin-Williams · SW 6258
Gutters
Tricorn Black
Sherwin-Williams · SW 6258
Roof
Black standing-seam metal
not paint
Screen colors are approximations. Test a sample on your wall, in daylight, before you buy.
When it works
Alabaster is a soft, warm white, so it stays creamy in bright sun instead of glaring, and it holds up in shade without turning gray. White Dove on the trim is close in value, which gives a tone-on-tone effect rather than a hard border; the black does the contrast work. The palette suits new builds and renovations with board-and-batten, gables and big black-framed windows. On a small house, keep black to the door, gutters and window frames so it does not get top-heavy.
House styles it suits
It is built for modern farmhouses, but the same exterior color combination also works on transitional and simple country homes. Natural wood porch ceilings or posts add warmth.
Roof, brick and stone
A black standing-seam metal roof is the signature; black architectural shingles are a lower-cost substitute. For brick, choose whitewashed, painted white or light gray brick. Red brick pulls the look toward traditional. Light limestone or gray stone around a chimney works well.
Sheen and maintenance
Flat or low-sheen on the Alabaster siding, satin on the trim, and semi-gloss or gloss on the Tricorn Black door. Black gutters hide streaks better than white ones, but a black door on a sun-facing porch will fade faster, so a fresh coat now and then keeps it deep. Warm whites show dirt near the ground; rinse the lower siding seasonally.
Questions
Is Alabaster too yellow for an exterior?
Outside it reads as a soft warm white, not yellow, especially with a black roof. Check samples against your stone or brick first.
Can the body and trim both be Alabaster?
Yes. A single white looks cleaner and more modern; a separate trim white adds subtle depth. Both are common.
How do I see this on my house?
Upload a photo of your house and preview the colors with AI before buying paint. Confirm with real samples because whites shift outdoors.
See this combination on your house
Upload a photo of your house; the AI keeps the roofline, windows and doors and repaints body, trim, door and gutters.