Colorful Character

Homeowners Gwynne and Mike Karchem say their home has a look they call "the blah factor" - there's not a lot of color, and their courtyard hides the front entry from the curb. With the help of designer Stacey Lupuk, they get the bold color they want, and open up the courtyard to its full potential.

Here's how they accomplish it:

• he old courtyard door comes down and a new wrought iron gate goes in
  
• create windows on either side of the new gate to open up the courtyard space
  
• install lanterns that hang inside each window
  
• granite sills for the new windows
  
• tear out most of the old landscaping
  
• new stone pavers on the front path and in the courtyard
  
• stain the driveway to match the pavers
  
• new paint: yellow for the body, deep red for the woodwork, and pale sage green on the door
  
• the courtyard gets a fountain with a custom made "tree of life" design, handmade tiles, and a stone bench with a sod seat
  
• new lawn and plants: bougainvillea, topiaries and a garden full of color and texture
  
• finishing touches: new patio furniture for the courtyard and new house numbers