MY STANDOUT HOUSE

What's it like to live in the boldest place on the block?

- ERIN ZAMMETT RUDDY

THE LIME GREEN HOUSE 

HOMEOWNERS: DT and Kimberley North

LOCATION: Olympia, WA

BUILT IN: 2011 for $480,000 "People in town refer to it as the Green Hulk," says DT of the three-bedroom house he shares with his wife, Kimberley. The couple's designer suggested this shade of lime green for the Hardie board siding, and they were instantly sold. "It feels bright and welcoming during our long, gray Pacific Northwest winters." The color isn't the only special feature: This is one of Washington state's first certified passive houses, meaning it's super energy-efficient. "Our home is out of the box in every way," DT says.

SPRING MOSS BY BENJAMIN MOORE

THE RAINBOW HOUSE 

HOMEOWNERS: Justine and Shannon Egner

LOCATION: Viroqua, WI

BUILT IN: 1920 BOUGHT IN: 2020 for $234,000 Justine and Shannon know they're living in every kid's dream house. "If I could ask 6-year-old me what my perfect house would be, this is it!" says Justine. The exterior was already painted in rainbow colors when they saw the listing, but as a same-sex couple, they had to have a serious talk about whether they should buy it. "Living in a rainbow house is the epitome of living out and proud,'" says Justine. Overall, the reception from their town has been incredibly positive. "One time a woman was snapping pics and saw us and shouted, 'Sorry, I'm not stalking you-I just really love your house!'" says Shannon. "We don't mind, because we do too."