In Part 1 of our Southern Oaks limewash project , we shared how we transformed this Tulsa home’s dated exterior with limewash, a new brick color, updated trim, a darker roof, new exterior lighting, and other thoughtful details.

The homeowners knew their home had potential. They just weren’t sure exactly what it needed.

We asked them to share what inspired the exterior update, why limewash felt like the right solution, and what they love most about their home now.

Q&A With the Client: Limewash Exterior Update

KD: When you first purchased the home, what were your thoughts about the original stone exterior and overall curb appeal? What felt “off” or no longer fit your style?

Client: When we first purchased our home a few years ago, we had dreams to update it at some point. The brick was a beige/yellow color, and the rock was pretty, but overall dark and dated as well. We knew there was so much potential, but did not know what specific updates to make.

Finding the Right Exterior Colors and Finish

KD: Before deciding on limewash, had you considered any other options for updating the exterior? What made this approach feel like the right fit for your home?

Client: I saw another blog post—Tulsa Home Exterior Stone Refresh—on the Kirkendall Design website that showed before-and-after photos of limewash on exterior stone. I instantly knew that was the direction we wanted to go.

I never wanted to paint the rock and make it a uniform, flat surface. I wanted to keep the variations in the color and still have a natural look and finish.

We knew that we would need to paint the brick since it was already painted, and once we discovered limewash for the stone, we had a better vision for what was possible.

We have seen too many exterior home renovations where the colors did not mesh well together, or the undertones were not appealing once the lighting changed from morning to evening. We wanted professional guidance to help us make these decisions, so I reached out to Julia Kirkendall. I knew she could help us create a timeless, updated exterior.

We chose Sherwin-Williams Anew Gray for our brick color. It is a subtle greige color that has a nice balance of warm and cool tones and looks great in all kinds of lighting. We worked with Beeler Painting to create a custom limewash color and finish that would blend beautifully with the brick color.

The Transformation

KD: What was it like seeing the transformation for the first time once the limewash and exterior updates were completed? How would you describe the home before versus now in just a few words?

Client: When we first saw the brick painted in the new color and the limewash on the stone completed, it was everything that we hoped it would be!

We were able to create a more timeless, updated look while still keeping the same classic style that fits our home’s exterior finishes and design.

Before, everything was dark and dated. Now, we have lightened things up and created a more intentional and timeless look.

The Details That Made the Difference

KD: Now that the project is finished, what do you love most about the refreshed exterior and how it reflects your personal style today?

Client: We love how everything has turned out! We not only updated the brick and stone, but Julia also helped us choose a new roof color, trim color, gutter color, and exterior lights. With all of these big decisions to make, we are glad that we chose Julia’s professional design advice and background to help guide us with this project. We could not have done it without her!