How We Gave This Fibro Home a Modern Grey Makeover (Without the Blue Undertones)
Choosing the right exterior paint colour can be surprisingly overwhelming — especially when you're staring down 47 shades of grey (and more than a few questionable blues). When Nina and Colin reached out for a paint colour consultation, they were in that exact position: stuck between too-blue greys, builder beige, and not knowing what would work with their fibro home's unique texture and north-facing facade.
“We knew we wanted something modern and timeless — but not cold. And everything we tested looked blue!”
As a Sydney paint consultant, I see this all the time. Grey paint can be tricky — the undertones shift dramatically depending on light, surroundings, and even nearby garden colour. My goal was to give them a painter-ready colour plan that felt calm, fresh, and wouldn’t look icy or flat in bright daylight.
After a full exterior paint advice session, we landed on a soft warm grey that added subtle contrast without skewing too blue. And the best part? It totally transformed the curb appeal of their home. Scroll down to see the before and after of this modern grey exterior makeover!
The Challenge: A Fibro Home in Need of Freshness
Fibro homes like Nina and Colin’s often come with tricky surfaces and limited architectural detail, meaning colour has to work extra hard. The original paint was faded and flat, leaving the home looking tired from the street.
They knew they wanted grey, but:
Every grey they tested looked either blue in daylight or brown in shadows
The family couldn’t agree on undertones or contrast
Their painter was due in a few weeks and still no decision!
Dated fibro, chalky beige and navy, no personality
The Solution: A Guided, Painter-Ready Colour Plan
During our consult, we:
✅ Narrowed in on their preferences using real-world photo references and large samples
✅ Assessed the home’s natural light, shadow lines, roof material and surrounding landscape
✅ Balanced Nina’s love for moody tones with Colin’s preference for a grounded, timeless look
✅ Used the Colour Confidence Method™ to test undertones and tone-match to their existing features
By the end of the session, we’d locked in:
🎨 A soft charcoal with just enough warmth to avoid looking blue
🌿 A crisp white trim for contrast (but not too stark!)
🌞 A warm grey-green front door to connect with the garden and soften the look
Best of all?
No more arguments. No more second-guessing. Just a confident, cohesive plan the painter could quote straight from.
The Result:
Moody-modern curb appeal, elevated with contrast and subtle warmth
Thinking of Painting Your Home?
Before you panic about greys looking blue or whites looking yellow, book a Personal Colour Consult and get:
✅ Expert help finding your perfect paint colours
✅ Large sample guides delivered to your door
✅ Clarity in 30 minutes — no more guesswork
Or take a look at what’s included in the Painter-Ready Experience, perfect if you want everything mapped out for your trades.
Bonus Tips: How to Choose the Right Grey Paint Colour
Whether you're updating a fibro cottage or a modern render, here's what to keep in mind:
North-facing homes tend to make colours appear warmer
South-facing homes make colours appear cooler and greyer
Avoid cool greys on shady homes — they can look cold and blue
Don’t choose from the tin! Always test large samples on-site
Think in layers: roof, walls, trim, gutters, and landscaping all play a part
Need Help Choosing the Right Grey?
Don’t get stuck second-guessing. Whether you're repainting to sell or creating your forever home, colour matters.
🎨 Let’s make it easy — and beautiful.
Book your Sydney colour consultant or Download my free guide to The Colour That’s Ruining Your Facade (and How to Work With Ut, Not Against it
Deanna is the founder of Elm & Ember Interiors, a Sydney-based interior design studio that helps families create beautiful, practical homes. She specialises in colour consultations and selections support for new builds and renovations.