Renew and Revitalize

Before

The Chappels are true environmentalists. They reuse plastic bags, old clothes become rags and the family that composts together, stays together. Now it's time to recycle the front facade. Originally, the Chappels had a mission and it was to keep their house from falling apart — major dry rot, rusty fixtures — it was going to take more than a prayer to save this place. With the help of an architect and landscape designer Sue Pearlstine, they transformed the crumbling facade with a cool new look.

After

Rustic timbers, warm flagstone and a lush, edible garden make for a modern Spanish mission with some old-fashioned style. The house was faded and out of date. Now, it's a real charmer with rich colors and tons of classic detail. Here's how they accomplish it:

• new porch, due to dry rot
  
• new landing and steps faced with flagstone
  
• the overhang built to continue past the front window
  
• new energy-efficient windows
  
• for the porch's posts and handrail-weathered timbers
  
• in the yard, a natural flagstone patio
  
• an all-organic Mission garden to bring fruit and fragrance out front
  
• new house color (deep terra cotta)