Curb Appeal and Landscaping Ideas From the Northeast

About the House

“I was immediately drawn to this home’s elegant look, even though it was covered in overgrown vines," says homeowner Kate Wendt. "The wide entry, the symmetrical windows and the columns make it seem so stately.” Spanish-style roof tiles combined with stucco walls and a boxy Colonial floor plan make this home unique for the area. To play up the roof, Kate painted the door and its trim — which are original to the house — a similar rusty shade.

If Kate didn’t trim the Virginia creeper that spreads across the exterior every year, it would cover the whole house! The pots on the steps contain eye-catching combos of yellow and fuchsia mums, spider plants, coleuses and jasmine.

Location: Newton, MA

Built in: 1913

Size: 2,877 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (house) Georgian Green, (trim) White Opulence, (shutters and porch floor) Wethersfield Moss and (front door) Sedona Clay, Benjamin Moore

From: HGTV Magazine

About the House

“This home was just what we wanted: a beautiful Victorian with lots of potential. Your classic money pit!," joke homeowners Laura Riley and Scott Henderson. "Restoring it has taken us 23 years and counting.” Painted latticework below the porch stands out against the blue siding. A darker blue paint calls attention to the bands of shingles that “stripe” the house. The slim pair of doors, original to the house, are painted the same shade.

A shadblow serviceberry tree grows in the middle of the yard, and white marguerite daisies bloom to the left.

Location: Newton, MA

Built in: 1871

Size: 3,400 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (house) Hamilton Blue, (trim) Navajo White, (front doors and stripes) Van Deusen Blue and (latticework) Georgian Brick, Benjamin Moore

From: HGTV Magazine

About the House

“Since we built our home in a charming, architecturally diverse town, we didn’t want it to look brand-new," say homeowners Amy Cody and John Furst. "Design choices like the sloped roofline and the stone facade and chimney give it a sense of history.” Lattice-pattern grilles also add historic charm to the bumped-out windows on the right. Stained a purplish hue, the front door stands out behind the white storm door.

Pink, lavender and white mums and purple ornamental cabbage complement the eggplant-color front door. The yard includes Endless Summer hydrangea, alpine Japanese spirea and dwarf Hinoki cypress shrubs.

Location: Newton, MA

Built in: 2011

Size: 3,000 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (house) Medici Grey and (trim) White on White, Glidden; (front door stain) Plum Island, Cabot

From: HGTV Magazine

About the House

“We tore down the moldy 1950s ranch house that stood here to build our own contemporary Craftsman," say homeowners Risa and Steve Aronson. "There’s nothing more welcoming than its open front porch.” Mahogany columns set on stone-veneer bases help define the open porch. The couple splurged on a copper roof above the porch that will develop a beautiful patina over time. Pre-stained shingles in two different colors and profiles raise the charm quotient, but neighbors know the house by its yellow rockers, which the Aronsons bought to add color to the front porch.

The front yard features hardy plants, including Emerald Green arborvitae trees and ornamental grasses, Knockout roses and hostas. In early fall, the Aronsons fill planters on the front steps with orange and yellow mums.

Location: Newton, MA

Built in: 2013

Size: 3,900 sq. ft

Paint color: (trim) Palais White, Behr

From: HGTV Magazine

About the House

A steeply pitched roof and brick siding are typical of Tudor revival architecture, which became popular around the 1920s. Windows in different styles give the exterior personality: the upstairs bay window adds dimension; two little windows in the center are straight from a storybook. The three arches on the right are doors that open to a living room. The decorative brickwork and leaded glass window add antique charm.

As for the landscaping, the lush lawn is the star of the show — just what homeowners Christine and Shawn Drayton wanted. “I like that the yard has a clean and neat appearance with some spots of color,” says Christine. Hydrangeas, China rose and a planter full of pink blooms supply the pop.

Location: Maplewood, NJ

Built in: 1912

Size: 2,600 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (trim) Chantilly Lace and (front door) Black Iron, Benjamin Moore

From: HGTV Magazine

About the House

The star of this stucco house is the charming Dutch door. It's original to the historic home — creaks, wavy glass and all. Homeowners Kellie and Mansoor Khan open the top half on warm days. “It was an orangey red when we moved in, and we repainted it a similar shade,” says Kellie. “It’s a fun door, so it deserves a fun color!”

A small patio made of bluestone pavers is where Kellie and Mansoor read and drink coffee, and where their youngest daughter picnics. “She likes to wave to neighbors and friends walking by,” Kellie says. Superbells in the large planters have a trailing habit, so they cascade over the edge. Pachysandra edging the beds below is a popular ground cover; it’s evergreen and easy to grow.

Location: Maplewood, NJ

Built in: 1908

Size: 3,300 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (house) Safari Vest, (trim) Arcade White, (sidelites trim) Infamous and (front door) Emergency Zone, Behr

From: HGTV Magazine

About the House

Homeowners Soraya and Yanni Yahiaoui saw this house listed in the New York Times real estate section, and they were smitten. “I collected Tudor figurines as a child, so it feels like it was meant to be,” says Soraya. A mix of stone, brick, plaster and wood gives the house character and warmth. Soraya and Yanni recently repainted the exterior off-white and dark brown to highlight the half-timbering. The arched door makes for a fairy-tale entrance.

Garvinea, caldera and diamond frost euphorbia in the pot by the door are a cheerful mix of colors and heights. Daylilies by the steps and left window bloom in the summer and have grassy foliage the rest of the growing season.

Location: Maplewood, NJ

Built in: 1930

Size: 2,162 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (house) Oyster White, (trim) Black Bean and (front door) Peacock Plume, Sherwin-Williams

From: HGTV Magazine

About the House

Navy paint gives this traditional side hall Colonial a modern twist. A bold double door pops against the dark exterior. Homeowners Cathy and Ben Clammer painted it lime green after moving in. “We’re a fun, energetic family, and I wanted a bright color to reflect that,” says Cathy. Begonias have vibrant blooms that add another pop of color in the window boxes.

The rock wall is made from stone dug out of the yard. This feature separates the grass from a garden path and is planted with flowers and shrubs meant to attract butterflies. Not only does it create interesting layers in the front yard, it also can help keep soil in place and prevent erosion.

Location: Maplewood, NJ

Built in: 1910

Size: 3,900 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (house) Hale Navy, (trim) Simply White, (shutters) Charcoal Linen and (front door) Lime Green, Benjamin Moore

From: HGTV Magazine

About the House

“People tell us our house looks like it belongs at the beach," say homeowners Eileen Sweeny and Jay Beckner. "We hope that means it seems inviting and comfortable. In a town filled with large Victorians, it proves smaller homes can be beautiful, too.” The upper balcony adds tons of charm, and Eileen painted the door deep purple to complement the siding’s citron hue. Since Eileen and Jay don’t have a big porch, they placed a bench on the grass to the right of the door.

The couple chose low-maintenance bushes and flowers, including a barberry bush, lambs’ ears and purple coneflowers. Yellow and red celosia grow tall in pots at the bottom of the steps.

Location: Montclair, NJ

Built in: 1893

Size: 1,800 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (house) Wasabi, (trim and shutters) Frostine and (front door) Chambourd, Benjamin Moore

From: HGTV Magazine

About the House

“My last house was a new build, the complete opposite of this 145-year-old home," says homeowner Beth Gershuny. "Because of its decorative trim, quaint shutters and dreamy yard, I now understand what character means.” Decorative corbels are a classic element of Folk Victorian homes like this one. Beth painted the house a soft color to make these seem less formal. The front door is made of a fiberglass composite and stained to look like wood.

When Beth revamped her yard after purchasing the home in 2008, she planned it around the existing hydrangea bush and Japanese maple tree. “From the start, I loved the way they flank the house like pillars, welcoming everyone inside,” she says. Between them, she planted perennials and flowering bushes. Beth picked the planters for their curvy shape. Filled with bright yellow flowers, they create an inviting entry.

Location: Rhinebeck, NY

Built in: 1863

Size: 2,000 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (house) Soleil and (trim) Mascarpone, Benjamin Moore; (shutters) Iron Ore and (porch floor) Black of Night, Sherwin-Williams

About the House

“This place looked run down when I bought it, with a collapsed porch and mismatched windows," says homeowner Donna D’Moch Warner. "Adding new columns and new windows with grids brought it back to life.” Donna also had the white aluminum siding removed to reveal the original pine boards, which were then restored and painted. The original door was painted red to stand out against the green siding. The brass plaque recognizes the home as part of the Rhinebeck Village Historic District.

The yard was overgrown until Donna got her hands on it. She lined the house with classic vinca ground cover and porch-height boxwood. As for the pots by the door, they hold plants of differing heights and colors. “I change them every season,” Donna says. “In the fall, I put in branches and berries from my yard.”

Location: Rhinebeck, NY

Size: 1,777 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (house) Rosemary, Sherwin-Williams; (front door) Cottage Red, (porch floor) Ocean Beach and (porch trim) Wood Ash, Benjamin Moore

About the House

“At first the location was the only thing I liked about this house, which had mustard yellow siding and a neglected yard," says Serita Bradford of her Rhinebeck, New York, home. "I redid almost everything and added a porch." Part of the big reno: a new front door. “It had to be blue, my favorite color,” Serita says. The deep shade livens up the neutral exterior.

When Serita bought the house, she knew she wanted an informal and low-maintenance yard. She hired a landscape architect to help her get the right blend, with good color and texture. Pink double Knock Out roses flourish in matching blue planters on the steps. (They’re hardier than many other varieties — ideal for areas with wide temperature ranges, like New York.)

Location: Rhinebeck, NY

Built in: 1943

Size: 2,825 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (house) Classic Gray and (trim) White Dove, Benjamin Moore; (front door) Stiffkey Blue, Farrow & Ball

About the House

“Many elements of this home drew us in — the curved porch, the original shutters and that pink! The color was so special we had to keep it," say homeowners Greg Messina and Patty Taveniere-Messina. "It’s fun being known as ‘the pink house.’ ”

When the couple bought it, giant bushes filled the beds along the house, hiding most of the porch. They swapped those out for neatly trimmed boxwood and pink and white flowers that match the home’s cheery color palette.

Location: Rhinebeck, NY

Built in: 1860

Size: 2,234 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (house) Enamored, (trim) Nano White, (porch floor) Whitewash Oak and (shutters) Mossy Cavern, Behr

About the House

“I’ve always liked the traditional look of Tudor homes," says homeowner Drew Osler. The simple shutters — each with a thin arrow cutout at the center — date back as far as the house. They still have their original hardware. For the front door, Drew went outside the box. “I wanted a color you don’t usually see on a Tudor,” he says. This bright blue is a happy surprise against the classic red brick.

Location: Providence, RI

Built in: 1928

Size: 2,300 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (house) Parchment White and (shutters and trim) Stewart House Brown, Glidden; (front door) Blue Grotto, C2 Paint

From: HGTV Magazine

About the House

“Although this home needed work, we couldn’t resist the 1920s architecture and walkable location. We painted it sage green first, then this gray with faint violet undertones,” say homeowners Christine Lamar and Thomas J. Skouras. Surrounded by the original molding and a pair of sidelites, the purple front door picks up the color of the catmint in the yard. The porch ceiling is painted the same pretty hue.

Location: Providence, RI

Built in: 1929

Size: 2,000 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (house) Unique Gray, (front door and porch ceiling) Awesome Violet, (trim) Extra White and (shutters) Tricorn Black, Sherwin-Williams

From: HGTV Magazine

About the House

“Our bungalow’s big front porch is one of our favorite things about it. We love how the front door is set off to the side — not in the middle — which maximizes seating space,” say homeowners Mark Kershaw and Michael Sutila. Mark and Michael had scalloped cedar shingles installed on the gable, which add even more character to the already charming facade. The door’s rich cherry stain mimics the color of the beadboard on the porch ceiling.

A trio of grasses by the sidewalk and a winding dwarf hinoki cypress to the right of the steps balance out the surplus of container plantings.

Location: Providence, RI

Built in: 1926

Size: 1,450 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (house) Cheetah, (scalloped siding) Pondstone, (trim) Tusk and (roofline trim, house numbers and pots) Speakeasy, C2 Paint

From: HGTV Magazine

About the House

“We love that our house is unlike any other on the street. It looks like it came from a different era!" say homeowners Merrilyn and Bill Parry. "The peaks and gables give it so much character, as do original details like the glass and ironwork.” The front of the house is stucco over brick. Exposed sections on the chimney and around the doorway pile on the charm. With its arched top and three strap hinges, the door — as old as the house — says classic Tudor. The previous owners painted it red. “A house like this needs a little color, and we loved the one that was here, so we kept it,” says Merrilyn.

Location: Providence, RI

Built in: 1926

Size: 2,800 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (house) Betsy’s Linen, (front door) Oh So Red and (shutters and trim) Mystic Taupe, Valspar

From: HGTV Magazine

About the House

“It was the little quirks — like the offset windows on the front door and the brick detail under the chimney — that made us fall in love with it,” say New Jersey homeowners Melanie and Christopher St. Pierre. The original arched front door contrasts with the house’s peaked rooflines. The St. Pierres repainted their house and replaced the porch light with a black one to match the color of the shutters. Now the brick chimney stands out against the yellow stucco. A fun touch: extra bricks that look like they’re cascading down the front.

The yard is kept simple with easy-care ornamental grasses, azalea bushes and assorted shrubs. The holly bush and weeping tree behind the front shrubs add height to the design. Two sturdy, evergreen boxwood shrubs shaped into cones grow on either side of the steps. The curved walkway is made of bluestone pavers.

Location: Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ

Built in: 1920s

Paint colors: Try (stucco and siding) Lemonade, (shutters) White Flannel and (front door) Stylish Red by Pratt & Lambert for a similar look.

From: HGTV Magazine

About the House

“We didn’t like the outside of this house at first," say homeowners Sally and Joe Monaghan. "The porch was screened in, the paint colors drab and the shrubs overgrown. But as we’ve painted it and added new plants, the exterior has become our favorite part.” Another fun element: The house has two doors. The one on the right is the main entry, and the one on the left opens to the dining room. The home is one of just a few in the neighborhood that still has the original moon-cutout shutters.

Wave petunias overflow from pots suspended from the porch ceiling. Their light purple color complements the darker petunias mixed with black-eyed Susan in the terra-cotta pots on the steps. The Monaghans didn’t even realize these steps were curved until they ripped out some old shrubs after moving in. They love the semicircle shape.

Location: Essex County, NJ

Built in: 1928

Size: 1,850 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (house) Deep Reservoir, (trim) Whisper and (doors, shutters and decorative trim) Crossroads, Dunn-Edwards

From: HGTV Magazine

About the House

“Our home’s stacked shape drew us in from the curb," say homeowners Danielle and Tom Foley. "It’s interesting yet simple. Since we changed the color from boring beige to mossy green, it looks even better." Two types of siding, clapboard on the lower level and cedar shakes on the upper floors, emphasize the home’s height. The third floor, which contains a master bedroom with an attached office, is a major plus. After 13 years with an off-white door, the Foleys bought a new fiberglass one and painted it red orange to make it stand out against the siding.

The yard gets its cheerful, cottage-like look from a mix of flower types and colors, including red geraniums, white impatiens and orange marigolds along the border. Black-eyed Susan and purple coneflowers are planted closer to the foundation. Attractive celosia in a mix of bright colors — hot pink, red and yellow — burst from the glazed planters that flank the top step.

Location: Essex County, NJ

Built in: 1929

Size: 2,060 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (house) Irish Paddock and (trim and shutters) Pale Bloom, Valspar; (front door) try Emotional by Sherwin-Williams for a similar look

From: HGTV Magazine

About the House

“Over the nearly three decades we’ve lived here, our home has gone from the ugly duckling on the block — with pink awnings and rusty posts — to a swan,” say proud homeowners Dinah and Andrew Lyktey. Combined with the gambrel roof, the centered brick chimney gives the house storybook charm. It’s painted white to match the siding. The Lykteys have painted their door, which features three small windows, everything from pink to teal. Recently they stripped it and stained it mahogany for a natural look.

Dinah turned the yard into a vibrant, thriving garden that features red New Guinea impatiens, blue salvia, red verbena and Limelight hydrangea. A weeping cherry tree — the focal point of the colorful yard — blooms pink flowers every spring. A pair of wood chairs in the shade of the tree makes a great spot for morning coffee.

Location: Essex County, NJ

Built in: 1930

Size: 1,928 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (house) Crisp Linen White and (trim) Deep Blue Shadow, Glidden

From: HGTV Magazine

About the House

“Our porch was practically falling apart for the first several years we lived here," say homeowners Dona and Chris Wagner. "When we finally gave it a facelift with new lattice, railings and balusters, it transformed the entire house.” Dona painted the door cherry red. The wide glass panes on top let in light without compromising privacy.

Red million bells and delicate white gaura fill the big blue pot outside the front door. Three Boston ferns are suspended from the porch ceiling for a triple dose of greenery. Dona brings the plants inside during winter. Simple shrubs — a dwarf Japanese red maple, a holly bush and mounds of English boxwoods — balance out all the potted flowers.

Location: Essex County, NJ

Built in: 1926

Size: 1,100 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (house) Krypton, (trim) Snowbound, (shutters) Tempe Star and (front door) Heartthrob, Sherwin-Williams

From: HGTV Magazine

About the House

“This was the first place we looked at, and it wasn’t even finished when we peeked in. But we loved how welcoming the bungalow style felt — so much so that we called the builder immediately and bought it that day!” say homeowners Mylea and Buzz Aldrich. Stone-veneered piers topped with tapered columns make for an impressive entrance. The couple opted for a warm golden beige color for their three-lite door to match.

The couple put up coir planters with bright red begonias, trailing vinca and leafy euphorbia for a bit of porch privacy. “We sit out on our porch all year long,” says Mylea. “During winter, I just bring out some blankets.”

Location: Saratoga Springs, NY

Built in: 2011

Size: 2,814 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (house) Smoky Slate; (front door) Pony Tail, PPG; (trim) try Aged White by Sherwin-Williams for a similar look

From: HGTV Magazine

About the House

“We love that our stucco house is brighter than traditional Tudors, which often have thick wood beams on the fronts," say homeowners Barbara Frank and Rick Guior. "We fell for its quaint storybook details, like the stone wall and the brick path.”

The red slate roof tiles are original to the house. The couple painted the once-gray stucco siding warm beige to bring out the crimson shade even more. The tones of the orangey red stained fir door also pair nicely with the roof.

Barbara and Rick added the delicate steel arbor to amplify their front yard’s English garden vibe; wild rose climbs the trellis. The row of arborvitae creates a natural (but stylish) privacy screen.

Location: Saratoga Springs, NY

Built in: 1920

Size: 2,015 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (house) Bleeker Beige and (trim) Bone White, Benjamin Moore

From: HGTV Magazine

About the House

“We wanted our new build to look at home in our neighborhood, where houses have lots of character. Details like the barn roof in front, the decorative window by the door and two kinds of siding make it special,” say homeowners Stacey and Andrew Barrick. The small window to the left of the door lets in extra light. To add oomph, the builder installed decorative molding beneath it. “We wanted an authentic Craftsman-style door,” says Andrew, so he and Stacey went for a six-lite fir one with a warm wood finish — a Craftsman classic.

Stacey chose red petunias and heartshaped white caladium leaves in green-accented planters for the steps and beside the door. Fern fronds trail from the hanging baskets, adding a lush look.

Location: Saratoga Springs, NY

Built in: 2013

Paint colors: (house) Smoky Blue, Sherwin-Williams; (trim) Swiss Coffee, Valspar

From: HGTV Magazine

About the House

“The house was white when we bought it. Once we added the red and gold, we got so many compliments, even from people who’ve lived in the neighborhood for decades,” say homeowners Suzanne and Max Birdsall. The new color scheme makes the home's Victorian details, like embellished wood porch and the turned wood posts, stand out. The Birdsalls had their mahogany gate custom-made. It shows off a filigreed iron insert Suzanne picked up at a local garden shop.

Each year Suzanne fills the trio of planters on the porch railing with shade-loving annuals. This year's mix: sweet potato vine, red begonia and German ivy.

Location: Saratoga Springs, NY

Built in: 1885

Size: 1,500 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (house) Georgian Brick, (trim) Summerdale Gold and (window trim) Adams Gold, Benjamin Moore

From: HGTV Magazine

About the House

“This cottage was light yellow when we bought it, but its most charming details — the white fence, the window boxes and the brackets — stand out so much more against the gray paint we chose,” say homeowners Stephanie and Richard Baumer. The yellow front door is a nod to the original color. “We considered painting it watermelon or teal, but yellow seemed like the best mix of fun and classic to fit our house style,” says Stephanie.

The blue terra-cotta pots on the front steps are filled with white impatiens, which match the white detailing around the house.

Location: Fairfield, CT

Built in: 1917

Size: 1,200 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (house) Software, (trim) High Reflective White, (front door) Cheerful and (porch floor) Iron Ore, Sherwin-Williams

From: HGTV Magazine

About the House

“Although our home’s symmetry gives it a sense of formality, it still feels welcoming," say homeowners Kelsey and Duncan Banfield. "We’ve talked about adding shutters to complement the clean lines. For now, flower-filled window boxes do the trick.” Their home is just a four-minute walk from the beach, so they chose blue for the front door as a nautical nod. “We had fun deciding what color to paint our door because everything goes with white,” says Kelsey.

Kelsey bought Duncan the post light years ago as a gift. After they moved in, they attached it to a post by the sidewalk and planted a bed of lantana around the base.

Location: Fairfield, CT

Built in: 1939

Size: 2,000 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (house and trim) Brilliant White and (front door) Admiral Blue, Benjamin Moore

From: HGTV Magazine

About the House

“Of all the homes we looked at, we never thought we’d fall in love with the oldest one. Its fairy-tale qualities instantly won us over, despite the overgrown landscaping we had to replace,” say homeowners Carmina and Anthony Morro. The angular top echoes the unique archway and the windows on the right side of the house. “It’s not a shape you see every day, so people always comment on it,” says Carmina. The urn outside the door is filled with red petunias, which complement the door’s hunter green hue.

Location: Fairfield, CT

Built in: 1923

Size: 3,087 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (house) Brandied Pears, (trim) Delicate White and (front door and shutters) Holly Leaf, Olympic

From: HGTV Magazine

About the House

Linda and Bill Bradley purchased their 1920s home in 2000. "We can't take credit for the red door, but it's one of the things we love most about the house, along with all of the flowers in front."

Tall and dense, skip laurel hedges are often planted for privacy (they grow about 10 to 12 feet tall). Here they screen the front windows and make a backdrop for the flower beds. The Bradleys planted several flowers in their yard, including pink New Guinea impatiens, blue hydrangeas and pink astilbe. The resulting landscape looks colorful and coordinated but not too predictable. Hosta plants mark either side of the steps.

Location: Bergen County, NJ

Built-in: 1920s

Paint colors: (siding) Pewter Mug, (trim) Swan Wing, (shutters) Beluga and (front door) Awning Red, Behr

From: HGTV Magazine

About the House

Jennifer and Brian Burchell say, "We love our English Tudor's storybook charm. Moving here from a larger home made us discover less really is more."

The dry-stack stone wall made up of Pennsylvania fieldstones matches the stone arch over the gate. In the hanging basket above: purple petunias and pink million bells. With its reddish-purple leaves, this Bloodgood Japanese maple tree, on the far right, is a standout in an all-green yard.

Location: Bergen County, NJ

Built in: 1929

Paint colors: (house) Standish White, (trim) Rockport Gray and (shutters) Crimson by Benjamin Moore

From: HGTV Magazine

About the House

"The little details of our home delight us the most: the Juliet balcony, the front door with side windows and the stone walkway," say homeowners Maryann and Jim McNamara.

The McNamaras went easy on flowers and instead chose several varieties of plants, shrubs and groundcover, including Sedum ‘Autumn Joy,' Montgomery blue spruce and ornamental grasses. The result is a spectrum of greens and lots of texture. To perk up the front steps, the couple filled terra-cotta pots with tuberous begonia, variegated ivy and spike plants.

Location: Bergen County, NJ

Built in: 1935

Paint colors: (siding and trim) Spanish White, (shutters) Rodeo and (front door) Northern Cliffs, Benjamin Moore

From: HGTV Magazine

About the House

"Our home has all of its original casement windows, which adds a lot of character," say homeowners Emily and Nick Spahr. "The blue shutters are another favorite touch."

Pink New Guinea impatiens fill the flower beds on both sides and at the end of the walkway, packing the yard with color. The black urn on the front steps is filled with purple geraniums, trailing sweet potato vine and pink begonias. Instead of screwing house numbers onto the brick, the Spahrs planted an arched address plaque in one of their flower beds.

Location: Bergen County, NJ

Built in: 1920

Paint colors: (siding) Mega Greige, (trim) Warm Stone, (shutters) Take Five and (front door) Tricorn Black, Sherwin-Williams

From: HGTV Magazine

About the House

“We saw a New England Cape Cod on a drive in the country one day and said, ‘We want that!’ So we built our own," say homeowners Dorothy and Douglas MacPherson. The home's clapboard exterior has been popular on East Coast homes since colonial times. (Clapboard comes from the word klappen — Dutch for split, as in wood hand-split from trees). Fluted pilasters make a simple door look stately. “It used to be red, but the kids convinced us to paint it blue,” says Dorothy. “Now we all love it!”

Boxwood lining the front path and holly beneath the bay window on the right play up the home’s classic style. Rosebushes bloom from spring to fall, while coreopsis bring subtle hints of yellow in summer. A Japanese dwarf maple tree in front of the side porch creates privacy.

Location: Mystic, CT

Built in: 1958

Size: 2,400 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (house) Upward, (shutters) Salty Dog and (trim) Pure White, Sherwin-Williams; (front door) Brazilian Blue, Benjamin Moore

About the House

“We love the warm cottage feel of our place, so we embraced it!" say homeowners Kerry and Jeffrey Van Schoick. "We hung louvered black shutters and filled the yard with whimsical flowers that highlight the picket fence. It’s always such a good feeling coming home.”

The couple was after a natural feel with lush blooms and year-round greenery in the yard. Wild-looking stonecrop, coneflowers and boxwood line the fence, while fluffy holly and Russian sage fill the space under the windows. “The garden continues to amaze us with its constant blooms through fall,” Jeffrey says. And check out the picket fence. Like traditional ones, it's painted white to match the home’s trim. Its ornate design makes the garden oh-so-dreamy.

Location: Mystic, CT

Built in: 1856

Size: 1,721 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (house) Sag Harbor Gray and (front door) Black, Benjamin Moore

About the House

“The roofline, cornices and trim work drew us in, but we saw room for improvement," say homeowners Sandy and David Carpenter. "We gave it a new color scheme and added a window to the first floor, on the left side of the house. There’s so much joy in preserving a historic home.” Like many historic homes, it has tons of character — like the two front doors. Once home to a whaling ship captain, this house was later converted to a duplex. The Carpenters kept both doors to maintain a symmetrical look. The arched window on the top floor is another charming element. “It’s one of my favorite features, especially with a 9-foot tree there at Christmastime,” says David.

As for the landscaping, Sandy and David neatened it up. They chose one taller plant (the weeping fig to the left of the door) that they put in a planter and bring in during winter, and one shorter one (the adjacent yew).

Location: Mystic, CT

Built in: 1850

Size: 2,200 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (house) Hale Navy, (trim) Simply White and (front door) Arroyo Red, Benjamin Moore

Curb Appeal: The Best of the Northeast

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About the House

About the House

About the House

About the House

About the House

About the House

About the House

About the House

About the House

About the House

About the House

About the House

About the House

About the House

About the House

About the House

About the House

About the House

About the House

About the House

About the House

About the House

About the House

About the House

About the House

About the House

About the House

About the House

About the House

About the House

About the House

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