Just scrolling through new or refreshed homes on Zillow and Redfin shows that the black and white design trend remains as popular as ever. It started more than a decade ago: In the mid-2010s, the modern white farmhouse style, popularized by Joanna Gaines and HGTV, gained traction and peaked around 2019-2020. Soon after, minimalist black and white residential designs (and now even commercial structures) began to dominate our streetscapes. The look, though not disappearing entirely, seems to be evolving from stark black-and-white contrasts to incorporating more accents and softer, natural colors like green inside. Our slideshow includes a newer home in Wilmette that is energy efficient, thanks to its dark steel siding, which apparently helps lower HVAC reliance and keeps your house warmer in winter. We also have a historic brick residence in Bucktown that… has me worried. Painted brick prevents moisture from escaping, which can lead to mold, mildew, and other damage like flaking. Something to think about before you follow the latest fad and “modernize” your old brick house.
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