Blogs › INTERIOR GAINES

By Janene Gaines

Curb Appeal.....What's That?

Posted 12:22 p.m., June 13, 2008

Curb Appeal…What’s That?

What does the front of your home look like? Go outside and stand out front. What is the impression? This is Curb Appeal.

The front of your home is like a puzzle: starting with the sidewalk, lawn, garden, driveway, front porch, windows, lights, accessories and outside façade. How does each piece relate to the next? Whether you revamp your entire outside all at once or do a piece at a time have a plan, so the finished product makes sense and flows smoothly from the

sidewalk to your front door. Here are some tips for pursuing an inviting

Curb Appeal:

1.What type of concrete are you going to use: pattern, colored, plain or no concrete and go for the old natural look?

2.How are folks, who visit going to gain access to your home? Are you going to put in a curved walkway, straight walkway or no walkway (grass with an inset of stones)?

3.Steps. Choices for step size and shape is endless “think out of the box” when making your choices.

4.Lawn: know your weather and how it affects your lawn. Sun intensity, shade and winds all affect the choice of doing a lawn or opting out for a garden full of beautiful colorful flowers.

5.Garden Choice. If you choose to do a yard of beautiful flowers, we have one thing to say: ATOMIC SNAILS. One day there is a beautiful garden, the next day a moon surface wasteland.

6.Also, if you do the garden choice have a good Gardner. The “blow and go” is not going to work.

7.The house façade. Is it going to be wood, stone, brick or stucco? Each has its own look and affect, so choose carefully.

8.Next is Exterior Paint Color. Make sure it accents your facade and provides a pleasant backdrop.

9.Windows. Have them be a part of the house not a glaring accessory. (A note to remember when looking at your home from the outside: have the inside window treatments from upstairs match with the downstairs windows or in a single story home, have all the windows in the front of the house either be showing matching or complimentary inside window treatments)

10.Always be aware of the roof when making your choices, especially if your roof is a particular style and or color.

Finally, address your outside accessories appropriately (front door, mailboxes and lights) they should be considered outside jewelry. (Note: Not every house looks good with a red door) So take your time getting your ideas together and if you need assistance call Interior Gaines at (805) 795 7244, we would be happy to lend a hand and help you bring out your homes’ Curb Appeal. You can visit us at www.Interiorgaines.com