A Colonial Declares Independence

This end unit offers nothing to distinguish it from its neighbors. They all share the same red brick, simple Colonial style — and a bad case of the blahs.

No longer blending in with its neighbors, this row house now has an identity of its own.

The cracked, crumbling sidewalk has been replaced with a stamped-concrete path that provides texture and color to the front yard. The stairs at the far end were also faced with coordinating sone to keep the look cohesive.

The addition of small details such as this keystone add up to a big difference in the appearance of the house. No longer just part of a long row of identical façades, it now has taken on its own personality.

The geometric pattern on the front of this window box ties it into the architecture of the building yet lets the unit shine on its own.

The addition of a natural-looking fountain in the front yard provides both a focal point and the sound of running water — a relaxing way to screen out noise from the street.

Another focal point in the front yard is this stone bench, which is literally one slab of stone sitting on two others. It may be simple, but it's a great addition to the front yard, offering a place to relax and enjoy the renovated house and landscape.

A simple, traditional design for the wrought-iron fence complements the style of the house. A more ornate pattern would have detracted from the details that have been added to the home as part of this remodeling project.

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