Curb Appeal

As 2010 rolls around, boxwoods willbe out, brass will still be out - and the cottage garden look will be back in. So says architect John Gidding, who transforms plain and predictable houses into showstoppers each week as designer and host of HGTV's Curb Appeal: The Block.

In each episode, Gidding and his crew beautify homes that are all situated on the same block. They start by dramatically overhauling one house that is a neighborhood eyesore, while offering smaller-scale makeovers to some of the neighbors.

How do they do it? 

They create instant impact by repainting front doors, adding window boxes and plopping colorful pillows on outdoor seating. Sometimes they beef up the front porch, give the house a fresh coat of paint or add terraces.?Gidding’s design often is inspired by the home’s original architectural style, but occasionally he gives the home a totally new look. By the time the design team is done each week, they’ve transformed an ordinary neighborhood into something extraordinary—and helped increase property values.

Gidding says there are numerous ways to boost your home’s curb appeal, and good design doesn’t have to come with a high price tag. You can instantly improve the appearance of your home just by cleaning windows, mowing the lawn or repairing a worn fence. You also can spruce up your home with small updates. Add hanging flower baskets or change out a dated light fixture. Hint: don’t choose unfashionable brass features.

“Brass is still out,” Gidding says. “By 2011, there should be no more brass. Update those light fixtures, doorknobs, deadbolts, knockers, etc. by switching them out to a satin nickel, brushed nickel, black or bronze version.”

Before you make any changes, take a good long look at your home’s exterior and ask yourself a few questions: Is the entry welcoming? Is there a clear path to the front door? Are the house numbers easily visible? Is the door a pleasing color? What kind of impression does the mailbox make?

House numbers and the mailbox are especially important, Gidding says, because they’re often the first things people see.? Think about how you can enhance or draw attention to the beautiful features of your home while minimizing the less attractive ones.

Create a welcoming entry by painting your front door a bright color such as red or purple. Plant colorful blooms nearby to draw the eye toward the entrance. Purchase eye-catching outdoor furnishings for your porch. Many of Gidding’s Curb Appeal transformations include a stone or concrete walkway because it’s so much more welcoming than making guests approach the house from the driveway. Accentuate the path by rimming it with flowers and solar-powered lights.

Also, add greenery to your yard. Hint: Opt for more trendy plants instead of the more formal, old-fashioned shrubs such as boxwoods.

“There are so many beautiful and inexpensive options out there that will really soften the façade of your home,” Gidding says. “Opt for a regional shrub that has a little more give in the form and doesn’t require a level and hedge trimmers to look beautiful. One of my favorites is the fragrant tea olive.”

Gidding says the more casual cottage look and feel is back. Embrace it.

“Modern gardens no longer need to be symmetrical and stark,” he says. “Embrace meandering paths, plan plant groupings with a wide range of plants to add welcoming touches to all styles of homes.”

• THE NEWLY RESURFACED DRIVEWAY HELPS the house look well-maintained and updated.
• Rusticated masonry details of engineered stone veneer is a low-cost option for adding gravity and elegance to the façade.
• Semi-porous paths allow for better stormwater management while minimizing the effect on the root beds of large trees.
• The front door has been accentuated with a custom entryway and arch, which helps break up an otherwise long and horizontal facade.
• The new, generously sized carport allows for wider and taller cars without dwarfing the parking structure.
• The home’s color was chosen to match the stones, which creates harmony. The darker color used for the sash details accentuates the windows embedded within the heavy stone frames.
• The brick soldier course running across the entire façade at the same level ties in the new materials with the older brick of the home.

• A DEDICATED PATH TO THE COURTYARD AND FRONT DOOR MEANS VISITORS WON’T HAVE TO WALK UP AN UNWELCOMING OR DANGEROUS DRIVEWAY.
• The natural, earth-tone color scheme fits the home’s Spanish Revival-style architecture.
• Hand-painted tiles draw your eye to the front step risers while playing up the Spanish-influenced architecture.
• The colorful and vibrant planting scheme on the bank facing the sidewalk is an attention-grabber.
• An arbor extends across the entire facade of the home, which helps it visually expand.
• Shrubbery surrounding the entry courtyard helps delineate the court-yard and provides privacy for the porch area under the arbor.

• WARM, WELCOMING BRICK IS USED TO CREATE A SAFE PATH TO THE HOME’S ENTRANCE.
• The taller-than-usual front door was custom-made and painted red to brighten up the entrance to the home, which is black and white.
• The high contrast between the trim and body of the house help show off the architectural accents, such as the new porch and balcony.
• Details were thoughtfully planned: the house numbers are easily visible, the custom mailbox matches the home’s style and an embedded path light was added.
• High-impact flowers and plantings bring attention to the path and mailbox, and the lawn gently slopes toward the sidewalk to establish an approachable and casual landscape.
• Cut-stone granite was reused at the border for foundation plantings around the front of the home, which makes them more visible and helps tie the planter into the landscape.
• A new balcony and porch not only add value, they also accentuate the style of the home, filling out what had been a blank facade.

WHAT WILL 2011 BRING?
HGTV host John Gidding says we will be:

Integrating fruits and vegetables into our landscape. They’re beautiful and functional; growing your own produce provides leafy color for your planting beds and food for your family.

Including succulents. Beautiful succulents and bromeliads are full of color and exotic looking, yet simple to maintain.

Adding color to driveways and walkways. The solid and semitransparent stains are easy to apply and refresh tired-looking concrete.

Incorporating natural wood elements. Wood adds warmth and depth to outdoor seating and dining spaces. Opt for teak or less expensive eucalyptus furniture instead of powder-coated aluminum or steel. An old stump makes a great side table. Natural bamboo plates and cups are an inviting and eco-friendly alternative to traditional paper and plastic.