Craftsman Bungalow

Curb Appeal : Episode CRB-610 -- More Projects »
Valerie Weller and Carl Guarneri have lived in their craftsman style home for more than 17 years. They love its arts-and-craft personality but feel its always been obscured by overgrown plants and a modest paint job. They want to bring out their home's historic characteristics with new landscaping and a fresh paint job. For help in doing this they've turned to designer Paul Duchscherer.

The Makeover

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Before the makeover.
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After the makeover.

Duchscherer begins his transformation of Weller-Guarneri home. Here's how he does it:

  • Gives the facade a new paint job--a color scheme with sage green as the base; dark green and cream as trim colors; and dark blue as an accent color.
  • Adds 'house jewelry' with bronze fixtures--a classic finish for the craftsman style.
  • Simplifies the stair railing by removing the ornate curliecues and painting them a dark forest green.
  • Creates soft planting beds and islands of grass, drawing inspiration from Japanese style gardens.
  • Places large containers on the porch piers, filled with red impatiens.
  • Dresses the porch with rocking chairs and an antique wooden table--offering a comfortable place to enjoy the home and the fresh air.

The Virtual Makeover

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Virtual makeover

Duchscherer uses a computer software program to take this makeover to the next level, a virtual design for the house that the owner might want to incorporate at a later date. Here's what he envisions:

  • Exchanging the Mediterranean-style balusters with classic sturdy balusters.
  • Facing the porch, stairs and pathway in rust color flagstone.
  • Adding a fence and entry arbor to the front yard and draping wisteria over the arbor for a romatic effect.
  • Stripping the front door back to its natural wood and adjusting the color scheme to a darker green with red accents--all giving this home the ultimate craftsman style makeover.
Resources
plant containers - Sloat Nurseries
Sloat Garden Center
Website: www.sloatgardens.com

light fixture, mailbox, house numbers - Light Express
Light Express
838 W. Francisco Blvd.
San Rafael, CA 94901
Phone: 415-459-1261
Guests
Jose & Ozzie Contreras
Painting Concepts
3534 Wilson Ave.
Oakland, CA 94602
Phone: 510-482-9029

Bob Buckter
Architectural Color Consultant
Dr. Color
3877 20th St.
San Francisco, CA 94114
Phone: 415-922-7444
Fax: 415-381-4542
Email: DrColor@drcolor.com
URL: www.drcolor.com

Paul Duchscherer
Designer / Historian / Author / Speaker
Website: www.artisticlicense.org

Gonzalo Ochoa
Landscape Contractor
Phone: 415-892-2653
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