Design is... All in the Detail: Curb Appeal in a Month

With the warmer weather upon us, it?s time to start focusing on the needs of the outside of our house. Everyone knows that first impressions are the most important and the longest lasting. ?When it comes to our home, curb appeal is Number One on the First Impressions List. ?


This week, I am sharing some simple, low-cost improvements that you can do in?a day,?in?a weekend??or in?a month.

Improvements You Can Do in a Month

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Tile your doorstep

Create a permanent welcome mat by tiling or painting a design that contrasts with the porch floor or front stoop. Not only will you not have to worry about replacing the mat when it gets ratty, but you can impress your visitors with your creativity

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Dress up the driveway

If your driveway is cracked or stained or has vegetation sprouting from it, you can upgrade it without doing a complete redo. First repair the cracks and stains (and kill the weeds), then dress it up by staining the concrete or affixing flagstones. If you need more room to move your car or park, add stone, brick, or pavers to the sides of the drive to widen it with flair

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Build a walkway

Well-designed walkways make your home feel warm and inviting. For a dramatic improvement to a straight concrete path, replace it with a contoured one made of stone or brick. For a less radical upgrade, apply a colored concrete re-surfacer to the old walkway, then edge with brick or stone borders. Brick pavers offer traditional, classic beauty to the landscape of any home.
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Upgrade railings

Porch and stoop railings can deteriorate quickly if not treated properly. If your railings are past their prime, look for quality wood or metal components to replace the existing material. As with other improvements attached directly to the house, make sure the color, scale, design, details, and material are compatible with the home's main features

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Renew paint, siding, and trim

An exterior facelift (new paint, siding, or trim details) automatically transforms the look of a home. Periodic maintenance of that exterior surface is the surest way to keep your house looking its best. Any obvious defects, such as cracked or rotting material, can downgrade the aesthetic and quickly turn away potential homebuyers. Once defects are repaired, look for ways to add personality with color, trim, or shingles
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Apply stone veneer

Nothing carries pedigree and permanence like stone. It's a great option for dressing up exterior features such as concrete foundations, column footings, and other masonry details. Natural and manufactured stone can be costly options for large expanses, but both are affordable and well suited for use as accent material

Source: http://jalonburton.blogspot.com/2012/03/curb-appeal-in-month.html

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