Beautiful Curb Appeal...

Well I'm back, and it's been far too long.  But it's almost June, which means summer is on its way (really it is I'm sure of it!).  I haven't written in so long that I'm not sure where to begin, but I think I'm going to talk about house exteriors.  We're spending more time outside now, and as soon as we do, we begin to think about how our house looks.  Not just decorating like at Christmas, but more about the things you can do to "freshen up" the exterior of your house. 

So here are some ideas, and it's not just about mowing the lawn and having some plants, but making it feel like you've changed the house without breaking the bank to do so!  Though weeding and adding some beautiful planters makes an amazing impact, that and all that tedious edging that makes a lawn look like a golf course!

If you need to paint the exterior, do it the next time the sun comes out (for more than 15 minutes of course).  Don't put it off until the middle of summer, then it's just too hot and you won't want to do it all. But a fresh coat of paint  has many benefits, protecting your siding being at the top of the list.  But also enjoying seeing your house every time you pull up in front of it.  Choosing the right colour is always a challenge, but be a bit bold; I'm not talking pink siding, but maybe a couple of Grey and slate tones with a beautiful black door or lovely yellow as shown, or maybe white and navy trim with a red door.  You get the idea, use sophisticated colours that don't clash with all the houses in your neighbourhood.  You want to stand out as unique not colour blind or as the below picture illustrates a whole kind of crazy (this people is what NOT to do!)

OK so I know, that's the biggest possible project I could have chosen for you, but it doesn't need to be such a big thing.  If your paint is looking good, then let's move on!

1. House numbers are a simple but fabulous extra to freshen up the exterior.  There are dozens and dozens of gorgeous number out there, especially via online shopping.  Find some that suit you and the style of your house.  Bigger is better because it's easier for your guests to see.

2. Does your exterior lighting look dated, rather than replacing it, remove and paint it; I find that spray paint gives you the cleanest paint job, and goes the fastest.

3. If your front door is looking shabby and can't be saved with a coat of paint and some sand paper, buy a new door, make it interesting and unique.  I don't always like glass myself because it does make it easy for someone to see in and easier to break to get in...but that's just me.

4. Go out and buy those beautiful urns and flower pots that you've been wanting for years, but could never justify or get around to picking up.

5. Pressure wash your house (if it doesn't need painting of course), walkway and front entrance.  You scrub the interior of your house, why not the exterior, especially after a long drab winter.

6. It may not seem obvious, but your interior blinds may need replacing (if they do call me!), they are one of the first things guests will notice as they arrive at your front door. Interestingly enough they make as big a statement from the outside as they do from the inside.

7. If you have a front porch, and have enough space for furniture, put out a really nice piece of outdoor furniture, whether it's an attracitve chair or a whole set, something inviting will always be welcomed by your guests and family alike!

8. If you have a path or gateway between the front and back yard, lay down a pathway, lovely white rocks, stones, brick, something to help lead people down the garden path as it were.  

9. This one ties in with the pathway, lead them between the front and back gardens with a beautiful pergola and gorgeous floral hedging.  

10. Lighting, with all the lovely lighting (solar and hard wired) available these days, there is simply no excuse for not finding a place for them, they glow beautifully in the summer night, gently illuminate the steps of anyone making their way to your front door or back if you have number 7 and 8 in place! I'm particularly fond of solar lighting as it's quite soft and gentle.

11.  More on lighting ideas, there is also luminescent paint that will glow all evening after a full day of sun.  You can paint some floral pots and they look will look like they are alight from within! (As shown on the left)

12. Now here's a simple idea for all you crafty people, take some mason jars or any glass jars with a neck, and some wire and string them up in a tree (if you have one in your front yard all the better) put tea lights inside and hang them out there for your guests as they arrive for an evening BBQ.

13. And last but not least your fence, do you have one in the front yard, or along the sides, give it a good power wash as well; then odds are that it needs a fresh coat of stain or paint.  Just do it, you know it needs it.  Then plant something that climbs like clematis.  They are beautiful, but not invasive or impossible to remove like wisteria.

Well there you have it.  I hope you have some new inspiration for sprucing up the front of your house this spring/summer.  It's amazing what a beautiful exterior will do for how you feel about the house itself.  It's not just for your guests and neighbours, but it's for you too!  Taking as much pride in your house exterior as the interior will help you love your house just that little bit more!