Modern French Country Part 1: White Paint & A Clean Slate
I’ve been dreaming of an exterior home makeover for a while now. Something brighter. More modern. But still cozy and full of curb appeal. Modern French Country design ticks all those boxes! It’s timeless with a clean, contemporary twist.
I knew this project would be a multi-step, multi-month process, but I’ve never shied away from a DIY challenge! And I wasn’t alone. My family pitched in on the biggest project of all (at least when it comes to square footage!). The first task in this exterior makeover: painting our entire home a crisp, clean white.
Painting: The First Step in Our Modern French Country Makeover
White paint is a perfect fit for Modern French Country style. It highlights the clean lines while letting wood and stone details shine. I’m no stranger to painting, but with the scale of this project, I knew it was time to call in the professionals. Lucky for me, my parents own a painting company! Their team did a fantastic job painting every inch of our home’s exterior, including the garage door. I’m thrilled with the results!
They also refinished a wooden column on our front porch to look more like natural wood. It adds just the right amount of rustic charm and ties in beautifully with the wooden garage pergola. Speaking of…
Adding Character with a DIY Garage Pergola
Our new black garage door felt a little stark on its own, so I wanted to bring in some warmth. A garage pergola had been on my wishlist for years, so I rolled up my sleeves and built one myself! (I’ve got a full blog post with step-by-step instructions if you’re ready to create your own.)
Before
After
After completing the garage pergola, I also installed some new lights on each side. I didn’t want them to overcrowd the space, so I went with these simple, sleek sconces. (Side note: Changing lighting isn’t as intimidating as people make it out to be! It’s totally something you can do yourself. Here’s my guide if you need help!)
Framing the Entry with Planters
These DIY cinderblock planters are so simple to build and more cost-effective than buying them pre-made or hiring someone to install them. At this point, I’ve built so many that I could practically do it in my sleep. I love how they turn out every time, and the added height makes the front of our home feel balanced. If you’d like to make your own, you can follow my full planter tutorial here!
Refreshing the Landscaping
It was time to fill the new planters! I chose plants that bring in that relaxed, Modern French Country feel while being fairly low-maintenance and easy to grow. They softened the space and made the porch feel more inviting.
I still plan to add more greenery along the front walkway, but that step will come later in the makeover. For now, I wrapped up phase one by freshening the decorative rocks in the yard with mulch dye. It’s a simple update, but it made everything look cohesive with the rest of our home’s new exterior.
And with that, Part 1 of our Modern French Country redesign is complete!
Stay tuned for Part 2 of this makeover adventure, where I tackle grouting and painting the rock to give it that perfect French country charm. Spoiler alert: it’s taking me a lot longer than anticipated. Wish me luck!
Follow along for more DIYs and fun at…
