They Don’t Want Their Exterior Paint to Fade, so They Repaint It a Surprising Number of Times

After painting a home’s exterior (or part of a home’s exterior, like a porch or deck), it’s normal to feel proud of and elated by the look of your bright, brand-new paint job. However, after a few months (sometimes even weeks), thanks to weather and general wear and tear, the color fades over time. Fading color can also mean the slow disappearance of the original design concept for a place you love. 

If you want to keep the color fresh and preserve a space you worked so hard to acquire, you might want to take note of how a couple manages to keep their paint color vibrant. 

Manuel Librandi and his partner Javier share an 860-square-foot Buenos Aires apartment and cherish their abundance of plants, which they care for on their outdoor terrace. (They say the greenery reminds them to take life slowly.) Because of their plants and the sheer gorgeousness of the space, the outdoor space is one of their favorite apartment features, so they want to maintain it. “We enjoy spending our time here together with our dogs, taking care of our plants, and having a drink with friends. It is our area to relax.”

“We went to Greece, all the buildings were so white, and we started talking to a guy and were like, ‘How do you make it so white?’ And he said, ‘We paint it every three months.’ And I’m like, ‘That’s right,’” Manu explains. “If you want a concept, you have to work for it. We paint the white terrace at least three times a year. Then we paint the floor two to three times a year to keep it refreshed so that it gives you extra energy or extra impact.” 

For Manuel and Javier, the frequent paint jobs are less about following a maintenance schedule and more about preserving a look they love. It’s also a smart tactic if you’re planning to sell your home. Real estate agents actually recommend refreshing paint jobs, like the garage door, before listing a home on the market. If your budget doesn’t include repainting your home’s entire exterior three times a year, you could start small with just the door; experts recommend painting in late spring or early fall and using the correct exterior paint.

The couple has carried that same travel-inspired approach into other parts of their home, too: After visiting Mexico City, they painted their plant wall a vibrant pink. To see more of their wonderful home, visit the full House Tour.