Whether it's pale hues of chalky French Grey, chic glossy charcoal against crisp pure white, or restful soft shades of dusted blue green, exterior paint shades can make a world of difference. The right paint shades add a warm welcome to any home be it of mellow stone, whitewashed render or smart red brick . Here are a few of my favourite looks to welcome guests to your front door. Above image:Gorgeous Belgian contemporary architecture by Archeos Above images: 1.Stainless steel stable light by Jim Lawrence 2.Belgian contemporary architecture by Archeos detail of wooden shutters 3.Hand forged Shepard's Crook door handle with bevelled keyhole plate by Jim Lawrence 4.Belgian contemporary architecture by Archeos detail of wooden garage doors 5.Scroll iron gate detail by architects Vlassak Verhulst Above image: detail of painted French doors by architect Yiangou Above images: 1.Shutter detail by architects Vlassak Verhulst 2.Detail of painted wall by Belgian photographer Caroline Monbailliu 3.Belgian contemporary architecture by Archeos detail of arched wooden garage doors 4.Hand forged steel Shepard Crook door handle by Jim Lawrence 5.Front door painted in French Grey by Farrow and Ball belonging to Lucy Stokes (gorgeous stainless steel heart door knocker!) 6.'All White' 2005 paint from Farrow and Ball 7.'Lamp Room Gray' 88 paint from Farrow and Ball 8. "Manor House Grey' 265 paint from Farrow and Ball 9.'French Grey Dark' 163 paint from The Little Greene Paint and Paper Above image: fabulous white painted New England house and grey painted trellis featured on Hus o Hem Above image: Prettiest pale grey front door with chalk white trim by Henhurst Interiors Above image:French Grey wooden shutter detail by architects Vlassak Verhulst Above images: I created the paint swatches by eye using the manufacturers colour cards - for accurate samples please contact the paint companies for colour cards and test pots Above image: the heavenly home and veranda of Room Seventeen stunning grey shutters against crisp white woodwork Above image:the heavenly home and veranda of Room Seventeen stunning grey shutters against crisp white woodwork picking up the tones of the rattan (wicker) chairs Above images: 1.the deep grey (gray) front door of blogger 'I found my home' 2.the home of Jen Chu Design with a chic dark grey front door 3.Gloss grey contemporary planters with Buxus (Boxwood) ball topiary by Anouska Hempel Design 4.Smart dark grey Regency front door with white trim by London Door 5.'Off-Black' 57 Farrow and Ball 6.'Railings'31 Farrow and Ball 7.Down Pipe' 26 Farrow and Ball 8.'Plummett' 272 Farrow and Ball Above image:the home of Jen Chu Design with a chic dark grey front door and stainless steel door knocker Above image:graphite grey door by Architects RDK Above image:contemporary dark grey front door by architects Vlassak Verhulst Above images: I created the paint swatches by eye using the manufacturers colour cards - for accurate samples please contact the paint companies for colour cards and test pots Above image:pretty pale grey green door and basket of French Lavender by Belgian photographer Caroline Monbailliu Above images: 1.Farrow and Ball front door given a modern twist with shiny stainless steel door furniture - door in Light Blue 22 2.Letter Box in pretty 'Clay' from Garden Trading 3.stainless steel letterbox at the home of Jen Chu Design with a chic dark grey front door and soft pale blue grey trim 4.Soft pale grey green woodwork on a stunning contemporary house by Frank Gruwez 5.Polished stainless steel door knocker from Willow and Stone 6.'Pearl Colour (original)'100 Little Greene Paint Company 7.'Light Blue' 22 Farrow and Ball 8.'Card Room Green' 79 Farrow and Ball 9.'Oval Room Blue' 85 Farrow and Ball Above image:Contemporary country cottage by Belgian architects Villabouw Sels Above image:pretty Blue grey green front door in a Cotswold village photographed by blogger 'I found my home' Above images: I created the paint swatches by eye using the manufacturers colour cards - for accurate samples please contact the paint companies for colour cards and test pots Above image:Front door in Card Room Green 79 by Farrow and Ball To achieve the perfect finish on your exterior woodwork I can highly recommend watching the 'how to' videos on the English decorating tools manufacturer Hamilton. I can also highly recommend the Hamilton 'Perfection' range of brushes - Above image: Hamilton Perfection boxed set -100% natural bristle for use with oil based paints Right image: Hamilton Perfection range of sash brushes - wonderful for painting fine detailing Left Image: Hamilton Perfection synthetic brush for use with water based paints You may also like: Exterior Paint Shades part I For more information on anything shown in the above images please click on the names under each photograph to go through to their web sites. I create my mood boards/colour palettes with a computer programme called Photoshop by Adobe which is available for both Apple Mac and PC computers. As always, if I have featured your photograph and you would rather I didn't, please do not hesitate to contact me and I will remove it with my sincerest apologies. With warmest wishes