These makeovers turned ho-hum homes into those with the most curb appeal on the block.
We’ve gathered some of our favorite before-and-after exteriors to help you dial up the charm.
The final touch was a welcoming front porch surrounded by a boxwood and hydrangea filled landscape.
Credit:ROBBIE CAPONETTO; STYLING: BUFFY HARGETT MILLER
He and his husband kept the scalloped awnings, coating them in Sherwin-Williams Mariner (SW 6766).
They then added Bahama shutters (which were painted to match) to some of the second-floor windows.
The new squared-off parapet, punctuated with 1-foot-tall finials, adds drama and depth to the exterior.
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
French doors with a fresh Chippendale spin complement the Colonial home’s English roots.
New Orleans Cottage: Before
Homeowner Alexis Walter loves all things French.
Such formal structure was needed to bring order to the overgrown cottage garden.
With a fistful of inspiration photos, she began to implement her wishes.
Later, landscape architect Aaron Adolph of NOLA + Design refined the plan.
New Orleans Cottage: After
Making the garden both formal and functional topped Alexis' list.
Sun-seeking updates and white paint transformed this Homewood gem.Credit:LAUREY W. GLENN
A parterre garden was the key to fitting it all within the postage-stamp-size front garden.
The Japanese boxwood hedge and corner cones add structure.
Pruned ‘Savannah’ hollies near the street add height and screening.
Credit:Quinn Peeper and Michael Harold
Rosemary, thyme, and oregano bring herbal aromas to the plantings, while ivy softens the stairs.
Alexis almost doubled the foot-print of her front yard by placing parterres in the sidewalk strip.
Then he opted to cover the exterior walls and roof with more tactile cedar shakes.
Credit:Dane Tashima
“The house was static before, but now it’s more animated,” says the architect.
“The shadows and textures all enliven it.”
The young family needed more space to accommodate their growing family without losing the home’s cottage feel.
For the young family who moved in, this oldercottageneeded an update.
Overgrown azaleas had swallowed the front terrace.
There was no direct route from the street to the front door, leaving the yard a confusing mess.
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
Landscape designer Todd Dorlon of TMD Landscape Designs came to the rescue.
He advises homeowners not to cut corners.
“Have patience, do the job right, and plan it in phases,” he says.
Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez
Todd removed the offending azaleas in front to give better access to the door and the updated terrace.
Boxwoods are the garden’s backbone.
Todd also replaced the original dogwood in the yard’s front corner with a ‘Winter King’ green hawthorn.
Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez
A new gravel parking space by the street welcomes guests.
Larger columns with subtle copper lights direct you to the front walk that now connects to the terrace.
The big idea was to honor the home’s architecture.
He also wanted to create curb appeal to showcase his team’s work for visiting clients and friends.
Classic Georgia Bungalow: After
Strategically placed American boxwoods in a sweep of pachysandra anchor the corners.
A manicured ‘Zeon’ zoysia lawn provides a place for the eye to rest while taking it all in.
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn
Vintage camellias and paper bush brighten up the borders in winter.
These ever-changing elements keep the landscape vibrant in all seasons.
He saw opportunitiy for creating unique spaces for gardening and outdoor living.
Credit:River Brook Design & Construction
Intent on preserving her home’s architectural details and character, Ashley wanted tosalvage and restore.
“If I’d wanted a brand-new house, I would have bought one.”
The ebony door was restained, windows reglazed, and siding repainted with Sherwin-Williams' Palais White.
Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez
Using old photos as inspiration, Ashley had skilled carpenters copy the home’s original second-story porch.
“But it definitely needed to be freshened up.”
Historical Concepts Cottage: Before
The potential for this 1920s Shingle-style cottage was evident before the renovation.
Credit: Hector Sanchez
It had great scale and was sited nicely with rear water views.
Georgia-based architecture firm Historical Concepts brought back the original charm of a jewel box cottage.
Then, new matching, equally spaced windows gave the exterior a more cohesive and pleasing look.
“It needed some depth and lightness to reflect the homeowners' lifestyle.”
“We tried to pick it up a bit.”
Paul and Jeremy created an oversize but not imposing 9-foot-tall limestone entryway.
Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez
Light spills into the foyer through the 7-foot French doors and leaded-glass transom.
A pair of Palladian-style shutters adds a single punch of color (Pratt & Lambert’s Artichoke).
A bell-shaped front lawn furthers the illusion of more height.
Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez
Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn
Credit: Photo: Jon Whittle
Credit: Photo: Jon Whittle
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
