Curb Appeal and Landscaping Ideas From the Midwest

About the House

Varied architecture is common in Kalamazoo, Michigan, but this English-style cottage was a special find. The rolled roof has a “Once upon a time...” effect. Some of the asphalt shingles were falling apart when Amy and Will Brennan bought their place. An experienced roofer did a fresh layer in a warm gray while preserving the design. The curves in the roofline are called eyebrows — expressive and impressive. Wisteria and English ivy on the house are as whimsical as that roof. “Our house keeps catching my eye when we drive up the street,” says Amy. “It’s part of our family!”

Location: Kalamazoo, MI

Built in: 1914

Size: 3,000 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (house) Cheviot and (trim) Quarry Stone, Sherwin-Williams; (front door) Poppy Seed, Behr

From: HGTV Magazine

About the House

Tudor revivals, popular in the 1920s, typically blend a mix of styles. This home has that picturesque half-timbering and also boasts cottage-y elements, like the little front porch and a bay window. “We like to sit here and greet neighbors and pets strolling by,” say homeowners Mark Bullock and Chris Taylor. The original cedar shake siding is a fresh twist — Tudors are usually stone or brick. Applying a water-resistant protective treatment every few years preserves the wood. The curved plant beds have an appealing free-flowing effect. Mark and Chris filled theirs with deer-resistant plants — salvia, stella de oro daylily, coral bells — to dissuade snack seekers. Black-eyed Susan are like rays of sunshine amid the greenery.

Location: Kalamazoo, MI

Built in: 1925

Size: 2,016 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (house) Under the Sea and (trim) Super White, Benjamin Moore

From: HGTV Magazine

About the House

A midcentury update was the goal of Michigan homeowners Karen and Steve Hassevoort. “The house was pretty plain and lacked distinct style when we bought it,” they say. The couple brought out the 1950s features by doing a new low-profile roof, replacing the double-hung windows with casement windows and installing a nifty front door. The mod purple door morphed a meh house into a head-turner.

Lush landscaping was also a priority for Karen and Steve to soften the boxy house shape. They worked with a local greenhouse to set up beds with a mix of sizes, textures and colors. There are fluffy hinoki cypress and golden mop cypress in front of the large window, and a group of spiky Siberian iris to the far right. Sunpatiens throughout the beds bring bursts of brightness. Weathered Corten steel edging and address plaque play off the house’s modern spirit.

Location: Kalamazoo, MI

Built in: 1957

Size: 4,050 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (front door) Mauve Bauhaus, Benjamin Moore; (trim) Gauntlet Gray, Sherwin-Williams

From: HGTV Magazine

About the House

Angles and curves come together in a Michigan house that has aspects of both a Tudor and a cottage. “We were drawn to the arch over the door and to the roof, which is all points but ends with that little swoop,” say homeowners Rachel and David Talbott. Corbels emphasize the roof’s awesome peak, while an arched doorway with a faux keystone draws attention to a sweet spot. Bold blue paint does a lot more to show off the striking build than the previous pale yellow ever did. The front door came with the barn red color. The details — its off-center six-pane window and vintage strap hinges — make it ultimately adorable.

Location: Kalamazoo, MI

Built in: 1928

Size: 2,148

Paint colors: (house) Anchors Aweigh, Sherwin-Williams; (trim) Ultra Pure White and (front door) Fire Cracker, Behr

From: HGTV Magazine

About the House

“I love the character of older homes, and my brick cottage sure has it! The dormers, triangle-shaped entry and row of little windows on the front door are really inviting,” says Mary Van Heukelom of her home in Des Moines, Iowa. Sage green shutters with matching trim are super fresh next to dark green shrubs. “People always ask for the name of the paint color,” she says.

When Mary bought the house in 1997, she had some goals: Keep it simple so it wouldn’t overwhelm the house and low-fuss. “I wanted to spend more time hanging out in my yard than working on it,” says Mary. She left the evergreen yews near the stoop and planted hardy dwarf lilacs by the addition.

Location: Des Moines, IA

Built in: 1939

Size: 1,950 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (siding) Sleeping Angel, Benjamin Moore; (trim and shutters) Mesclun Green, Sherwin-Williams; (front door) Sweet Mustard, Valspar

From: HGTV Magazine

About the House

“The contrast between the swooping roofline and curved door, and between the red brick and light stone, immediately drew us in. Updating the landscaping enhanced all the charm," says Ashley and Mike Shafer of their home in Iowa.

A large pine tree and shrubs covering the stonework had to go when the Shafers bought the 1930s home in 2011. To complement their door, they planted bright green hostas mixed with white Annabelle hydrangea and red vinca. Neatly trimmed yews are in keeping with the home’s stately presence. The large stretch of limestone, uncommon on Tudors, amps up the storybook feel. “It’s one of our favorite features,” says Ashley.

Location: Des Moines, IA

Built in: 1930s

Size: 2,235 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (windows and trim) Grizzly, Behr; (door trim) Linen Napkin and (front door) Limolicious, Valspar

From: HGTV Magazine

About the House

“Our house needed a full makeover when we bought it in 2002 — gray paint, blue trim and an enclosed porch did nothing for it. There wasn’t even landscaping," say Cory and Shawn Konrad of their home in Des Moines, Iowa. "Look at it now!"

The couple roped in a landscape architect to make their yard come alive. Fluffy arborvitae and short boxwood create lushness on the left, while spiky flame grass brings height on the right. White Annabelle hydrangea next to wild-looking purple coneflower totally catch the eye. The house was boxed in by old windows that didn’t match the rest of the home’s style. “Opening it up made our house look like an actual Craftsman,” says Cory.

Location: Des Moines, IA

Size: 2,145 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (house) Waterbury Cream, (trim) Linen White, (accents) Kingsport Gray, Benjamin Moore

From: HGTV Magazine

About the House

“We were drawn to the entry’s decorative brick and the 9-lite windows. Before, the door was gray, and it blended in with the rest of the house," say homeowners Natalie and Joe Paquet. "Painting it red gave the whole place a happy refresh.”

The couple purchased the home in St. Paul in 2001, then got to work revamping the yard, starting with American arborvitae trees that provide greenery even during freezing Minnesota winters. “The last homeowners were more grass people than plant people,” Natalie says. The couple chose a mix of hostas and sedum for an easy-care way to fill out the beds. And those window boxes? Natalie built them with her dad and puts in different flowers every spring. “I pick a color scheme — this year it’s red and pink — then layer in leafy textures,” she says.

Location: St. Paul, MN

Built in: 1926

Size: 1,821 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (house) Snowfall White, (window frames) Dark Storm Cloud and (window trim) Cracked Pepper, Behr; (front door) Vine Ripened Tomato, Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines

About the House

“We have a thing for cottages — our last place was one too," say homeowners Kate and Justin Dietz. "After seeing the winding walkway, the stone chimney and the quaint white shutters on this house, we couldn’t resist. It’s the ideal little retreat.”

The couple purchased the St. Paul house in 2017. In the yard, they barely changed a thing. “The way the ivy crawls across the siding and the wildness of the overgrown hostas and hydrangeas is exactly what we wanted,” Kate says. Japanese meadowsweet shrubs perk up the left side of the yard. And the bay window? “We love the look of this window,” Kate says. “Nestled behind the greenery, it’s so picturesque.” Inside, there’s a sofa where she and Justin like to sit and read.

Location: St. Paul, MN

Built in: 1946

Size: 2,000 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (house) Eclipse, (shutters and trim) White Ice and (front door) Athens Blue, Benjamin Moore

About the House

“Our neighbors have always called this the ‘fairy-tale house.’ At first the monochrome look seemed stark to us, but once we added color to the yard and freshened the paint on the storm door, it felt completely magical,” say homeowners Erin and Tim Kjar.

The couple bought the Minnesota home in 2016. Check out the front-facing gables, half-timbering (those exposed beams), stucco and stonework — classic features of an American tudor. In the yard, Erin and Tim drew inspiration from the lush yet informal vibe of cottage-style gardens. They scored it with bushy shrubs and bright perennials in various heights. “The pink was an evolution,” Erin says. “The quick fire hydrangea were so pretty, I ended up piling on other shades of pink.”

Location: St. Paul, MN

Built in: 1928

Size: 1,700 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (house) Metropolis, (storm door and trim) City Storm and (window trim) Palisade Blue, Valspar

About the House

“We were instantly charmed by this old house and lovely yard, though it had a plain yellow color that wasn’t doing it justice," say homeowners Katy and Mike Wardwell of their home in St. Paul, Minnesota. "After polling family and friends, we went with dusty blue — it fits with the historic details and is very welcoming.”

In the yard, the couple went with a quick fire hydrangea shrub, which turns pink as the season progresses and can grow up to 8 feet tall. Hostas on both sides of the yard balance it out. And that path to the front door? It’s made up of recycled bricks from old St. Paul streets. Says Katy, “We knew right away the path was a keeper — it’s full of history!”

Location: St. Paul, MN

Built in: 1913

Size: 2,617 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (house) Dix Blue, (trim) All White, (window trim) Off-Black and (porch) Downpipe, Farrow & Ball

About the House

“This was the old, ugly house on the block when we bought it," say homeowners Karen and Kevin O’Keefe of their home in Detriot. "The brick was painted bright orange! We did a total reno and changed the colors to match a cute home we spotted while visiting Mackinac Island up north." The U-shaped driveway helps showcase how far back the house is set from the street, and it offers plenty of room for parking.

Cone-shaped white blooms that turn pinkish are the signature of the peegee hydrangea that’s pruned into a tree shape. Every spring Karen fills the 7-foot-long flower box outside the large upstairs window with white and red geraniums, which thrive in the partially sunny spot. The O’Keefes replaced all the windows and purposely chose different sizes. The focal point: an arched center window, which mirrors the shape of the portico ceiling.

Location: Detroit, MI

Built in: 1947

Size: 3,750 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (house) Summer Cottage Yellow, (trim) Antique White, (front door) Red Delicious, Glidden

From: HGTV Magazine

About the House

“Our favorite thing about our home is the color — it shakes up the neutral neighborhood," say Detriot homeowners Katie and Jason Blazek. Jason painted the house’s HardiePlank siding over five weekends using a 2-inch brush. “Although we updated the house’s architecture, we wanted it to look like it was painted by hand in the 1940s,” Katie says. Cedar shakes, which the Blazeks added to the front of the portico, are a charming touch. Green planters to the sides of the front door are filled with yellow zinnias that match the yellow pansies in the flower beds.

Location: Detroit, MI

Built in: 1942

Size: 3,195 sq. ft.

Paint Colors: (house) Awning Red, (trim) Ultra Pure White and (columns and porch base) Scotland Isle, Behr

From: HGTV Magazine

About the House

“We were practically sold on this house before even stepping inside," say homeowners Kelley and Scott Foess of their house in Detroit. Charming touches like the brackets, the shake siding and the glass front door make it feel incredibly homey.” The Foesses overhauled the yard, reseeding the lawn and trimming the overgrown boxwoods along the walkway into small mounds. The windows flanking the front door are outfitted with planters. Sweet potato vine spills from the one on the left, while the one on the right is filled with purple sweet potato vine and red salvia. Pink begonias bloom from a lattice-pattern stone urn on the front steps.

Location: Detroit, MI

Built in: 1941

Size: 2,109 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (top of house) Dover White, (bottom of house) Perfect Greige and (front door and trim) Lounge Green, Sherwin-Williams

From: HGTV Magazine

About the House

“It took nearly a year of house-hunting to find this Queen Anne beaut," say homeowners Wendy and Dennis Richardville of their home in Detroit. "The porch, which has a cool stone foundation, is our go-to place when we want to relax.” A mix of bridal veil, spike plant, variegated ivy, sweet potato vine and pink impatiens burst from the urns that flank the path. Red and pink geraniums hang in planters from the porch ceiling. Built from fieldstone, the short wall out front serves as the foundation for the wrap-around porch, beefing up the house’s old-fashioned charm. The front yard features subtle pops of color: pink-and-green-tinged peegee hydrangeas on both sides.

Location: Detroit, MI

Built in: 1885

Size: 2,900 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (house) Hale Navy, (trim) Oxford White, (shutters and trim) Aura, (porch floor) Comet, Benjamin Moore

From: HGTV Magazine

About the House

Homeowners Britt and Christopher Dougall bought their Minneapolis home in 1993, and since then they’ve repainted the exterior and rebuilt the porch. “Now they’re two of our favorite things about it,” they say. Terra-cotta pots are filled with, clockwise from top left, sweet potato vine, merlot coleus and electric lime coleus. Merlot coleus grows in the flowerbeds, too, alongside pink and red New Guinea impatiens.

Location: Minneapolis, MN

Built in: 1902

Paint colors: (siding) Sweet Chamomile, (porch ceiling) Fountain Spout and (trim) Ultra Pure White, Behr

From: HGTV Magazine

About the House

"We love how cozy our Cape Cod looks from the outside," say Minneapolis homeowners Katherine and Scott Kovarik. “The yard and white exterior remind us of an English cottage.”

Multipaned windows are characteristic of Cape Cod–style homes. A row of three floor-to-ceiling windows on the left — with 36 panes total — lets in plenty of sunlight. The Kovariks’ blue shutters pretty up the narrow front windows on the right side. These are called combination shutters, louvered on the top with a raised panel on the bottom. The landscaping was fixed up with plenty of green plants, like hostas, and hits of color, like pink phlox. Boston ivy, a popular clinging vine, climbs up the brick house and contributes to the charm.

Location: Minneapolis, MN

Built in: 1950

Paint colors: (house) Polo Mallet White and (shutters) Sandoval Blue, Ralph Lauren

From: HGTV Magazine

About the House

Kathy Spraitz and Mike Swanson bought their home in Minneapolis in 1999, but it was one element that really caught their eye. “We bought this porch, and the house came with it. It’s still our favorite feature,” they say. The detailed trim work on this American foursquare-style home gives it oodles of character. So does the dentil molding along the roofline. Spraitz and Swanson put lots of white wicker seating on their spacious porch. It’s all-weather furniture, so they don’t need to move it inside for the winter.

The front flower bed is mostly green with a few bursts of white hydrangea and blue-violet balloon flowers. The coconut-fiber-lined baskets on the porch are full of sweet potato vine, variegated coleus and spike plants.

Location: Minneapolis, MN

Built in: 1899

Paint colors: (siding) Amherst Gray and (front door) Buckingham Gardens, Benjamin Moore; (trim) Superwhite, Sherwin-Williams

From: HGTV Magazine

About the House

Jennifer Post and Murray Snyder bought their Minneapolis home in 2007 and say, “the circular window on the second floor is one of our favorite details, along with the swing.” The house has lots of painted wood trim and brick accents. A wood swing looks homey and rustic. The rope chain ties in with the nautical look of the circular windows. Intricate metal railings add another interesting material to the front porch.

The urns and baskets are overflowing with bluish-purple and white petunias, giving the walkway a lush look. The front beds are filled with pink polka-dot plants, far left, and varieties of coleus, like red coat coleus, known for its flashy red leaves with yellow-green borders.

Location: Minneapolis, MN

Built in: 1903

Paint colors: (siding) Kale Green, (trim) Lily and (accents) Mature Grape, Sherwin-Williams

From: HGTV Magazine

About the House

Amanda and Chris Chaney bought their Kansas City home in 2004, despite warnings from friends and family that the house would need a lot of work. "We saw the potential and loved it back to life." The Chaneys show off gorgeous blooms in two second-story window boxes and a basket mounted by the front door. Their winning container combo: petunias, English ivy and delphiniums. Along the driveway, the white picket fence adds Americana charm. The hardwood Adirondack chairs can stand up to all types of weather and look extra cute sporting striped outdoor pillows. Sometimes it can be fun to choose form over function: The iron balcony railing under the center second-story window is too small to support any weight, but it looks very romantic!

Location: Kansas City, MO

Built in: 1924

Paint colors: (house) Pure White and (trim, shutters and door) Privilege Green, Sherwin-Williams

From: HGTV Magazine

About the House

"Brookside is not a cookie-cutter suburb," say Kelly and Todd Powell of their Kansas City, Missouri, neighborhood. The couple loves their 1930s home for its old, classic look and the area's tree-filled streets. On houses with lots of peaks and sharp angles like this one, an arched door adds softness. Plus, it has a charming cottage-in-the-woods feel. The Powells lined their walkway with bright red geraniums, which match the front door.

Location: Kansas City, MO

Built in: 1930

Paint colors: (house) Navajo White and (trim) Black Bean, Sherwin-Williams; (door) Ruby Ring, Behr

From: HGTV Magazine

About the House

Lisa and Curt Chase say they get a lot of compliments on their yard. It's no wonder — when they first moved into their Kansas City home in 2007 there was no landscaping at all, and the couple worked hard to bring it to its current glory. "All the color really makes it come alive." The Chases flanked their front entry with a pair of gardenia trees in urns. The pathway steps are decorated with a potted pink hibiscus tree. A shiny brass handle on a paneled door is like a string of pearls with a black dress: so classic!

Location: Kansas City, MO

Built in: 1912

Paint colors: (house) Escape Gray and (shutters and door) Caviar, Sherwin-Williams

From: HGTV Magazine

About the House

Joyce Egan loves sitting outside on the front porch of her Missouri home. "I'll spend afternoons out here just relaxing and waving to neighbors," she says. Small details such as the trellis-like rail and trim on the front porch are what give the home its gingerbread house appeal. A dark bronze lamppost that resembles a classic streetlight looks right at home in Joyce's hilly front yard. It lights up the landscape and the stairway leading to the front porch. Boxwood shrubs and hardy fescue grass help the yard stay green year-round.

Location: Kansas City, MO

Built in: 1924

Paint colors: (house) Kestrel White, Sherwin-Williams and (trim) Sage Brush, Behr

From: HGTV Magazine

Curb Appeal: The Best of the Midwest

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