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Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds' black-painted porch offers a modern twist on a traditional country aesthetic

Nestled in New York State, the couple's exterior is a source of traditional design inspiration – and real estate experts approve

Blake Lively
(Image credit: GettyImages)

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds are among Hollywood's most prestigious power couples, but they spend their downtime away from the hills – on the east side of the country. 

Blake (known for Gossip Girl and The Age of Adaline) and Ryan (star of Deadpool) have a notably quieter family life in the verdant town of Pound Ridge, located in Westchester County, New York. 

Hidden away from New York City's urban buzz, Pound Ridge is famed as a  picturesque rural town with sprawling hills and country roads. It is a place for celebrities – including the likes of Richard Gere, Mike Myers, and Susan Sarandon – who are attracted to its charming country feel. It is perhaps only fitting, therefore, that their homes pay tribute to this aesthetic – starting with their exteriors

In the photos below, Ryan Reynolds shares a look at the couple's back porch – and unsurprisingly, it celebrates the contemporary-country style perfectly. 

Pictured on the porch – Ryan is surrounded by black and neutral tones – alongside wooden furniture – that looks to be holding DIY tools. The couple has not overloaded their space with outdoor furniture – and the pieces they do appear somewhat practical (with the exception of what looks to be a gray sofa, in the post below.  

With its rustic-style wooden door and roof, the porch has an unmistakable rustic aesthetic – however – the lick of stylish black paint brings the porch firmly into the contemporary day – where black exteriors are among the best way to add value to your home

Data scientist Shane Lee from the real estate company RealtyHop says that a black exterior, much like Blake and Ryan's, is increasingly popular in New York, where the couple resides. And consequently, the tone is likely to boost their home's value (if they were looking to sell, that is).

Shane Lee

Shane Lee is a real estate data scientist and contributor to RealtyHop – a New York-based company that discovers the most undervalued condo, coop, and home deals. Using rental data, Shane and her team predict the sublet return and model cash flow revenues to assist investors in making smarter property decisions.

'One of the best ways to add value to a home is to paint it black,' he says. 'In New York State, many agents and interior designers have noticed that you can charge a premium of $15K-$20K simply by painting your house black,' she says. Of course, painting your entire exterior is the best way to celebrate the color trend – but a black-painted porch is the next best thing.

'One of the most popular colors among homeowners and sellers renovating their homes for sale is Tricone Black from Valspar (by Sherwin-Williams).' You can shop for her recommendation below.

Tricorn Black by Valspar | from $36.98 at Lowe's

Tricorn Black by Valspar | from $36.98 at Lowe's

Specially designed for the exteriors, Tricorn Black is described as a trendy, never-boring black that pairs well with the colors of your landscape. Plus, as Shane explains, it's a firm favorite with designers and realtors alike. 

We're taking our porch to the darker side, the way Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds surely intended. 

Megan Slack
Head of Celebrity Style News

Megan is the Head of Celebrity Style News at Homes & Gardens, where she leads the celebrity/ news team. She has a history in interior design, travel, and news journalism, having lived and worked in New York, Paris, and, currently, London. Megan has bylines in Livingetc, The Telegraph, and IRK Magazine, and has interviewed the likes of Drew Barrymore, Ayesha Curry, Michelle Keegan, and Tan France, among others. She lives in a London apartment with her antique typewriter and an eclectic espresso cup collection, and dreams of a Kelly Wearstler-designed home.