Essex Green Paint House Trim Renovation

Essex Green by Benjamin Moore is a historical paint color. See how it transformed our Coastal Maine house trim with cedar shake siding.

Essex Green Benjamin Moore

Classic and Historical

I have always admired Benjamin Moore’s classic and historical paint color, Essex Green. Many of the homes in small towns in Vermont are painted white with Essex Green house trimming. Dorset, Vermont, comes to mind. Also, in the town of Essex, Connecticut, you will find many homes painted white with the Essex Green trim.

In Coastal Maine, Essex Green is a traditional paint color on coastal homes, either as the main attraction or to spruce up the cedar shake siding of homes like ours.

You could say that Benjamin Moore’s Essex Green paint color has found a home in quaint New England. If you want a classic and traditional house paint color, Essex Green is certainly a favorite.

You may also enjoy this Pea Gravel Patio Ideas: A Weekend DIY post to see more of this backyard living teak table set today.

House Trim Before

It’s been almost 30 years since the trim on this old house was painted or updated. This was originally my parent’s home, and when we inherited it, we set out to refurbish the aged cedar shake siding and the faded blue house trim.

Before

Here are a few of the home’s before shots. The faded color and wear and tear on the existing trim and cedar shakes can be seen.

Front Door Before

Here is the front door that enters into the home.

A vintage buoy and bell hang on each side of the two front doors.

Cedar Shake Siding

What is Cedar Shake Siding?

Cedar shake siding is a type of exterior cladding made from cedar wood. It is a popular choice for residential homes due to its natural beauty and durability. Cedar shake siding consists of individual wooden shakes that are typically hand-split or machine-cut to create a textured, rustic appearance.

One of the main advantages of cedar shake siding is its ability to withstand the elements. Cedar wood is naturally resistant to decay, insects, and rot, making it a long-lasting option for exterior siding. It also has excellent insulating properties, helping to regulate temperature and reduce energy costs.

In addition to its durability, cedar shake siding offers a unique and charming aesthetic. The natural variations in color and grain of the cedar wood create a visually appealing texture that can enhance a home’s overall look. Over time, cedar shakes may weather and develop a silver-gray patina, adding to their character and charm.

Cedar shake siding requires regular maintenance to ensure its longevity. This includes periodic cleaning, staining, or sealing to protect the wood from moisture and UV damage. With proper care, cedar shake siding can provide many years of beauty and protection for your home.

Learn how we restored this aged cedar shake siding, along with more photos of the Essex Green trim in the How We Restored Our Aged Cedar Shake Siding post.

Essex Green Paint

We hired a local handyman to paint the home’s trim and each storm window with Essex Green paint.

We store the storm windows in the garage during the summer months on hooks my father hung from the ceiling beams. I love this Yankee ingenuity storage solution.

Antique Accessories

In classic Essex Green style, the color brilliantly matches the old accessories accompanying this home, like this antique lighting fixture with its natural patina and Fisherman’s bell.

You may also be inspired by the White Petunias Antique Arrangement Ideas post, which features more antique accents with the Essex Green house trim.

Front Door in Essex Green

The front doors really make a statement, now paired with white driftwood sailboats.

The Essex Green color looks different in various lighting. It is darker on cloudy days and brighter on sunny days. Either way, we adore it!

More Essex Green Ideas

When choosing the trim color, consider the architectural style of your house and the surrounding landscape. It’s always a good idea to test paint samples on a small house section to see how the colors look together in different lighting conditions.

Essex Green New England Photos

My favorite is the image of the Essex Green and Cedar Shake siding blanketed with snow in the winter. It’s just such a classic New England style.

From sailboats in the summer to snowshoes in the winter, the contrast is timeless.

You may also be inspired by the Front Door Ski Lodge Vintage Snowshoes and 21 Vintage Finds: 4 Days Thrifting in Coastal Maine posts.

You may enjoy seeing more of this old home’s renovations from the exterior to the interior in the series In My Mother’s Home.