Copy the Curb Appeal: Mobile, Alabama

“I updated the walkway and the landscaping, but there’s still lots of 1920s charm!" homeowner Erin Henry says. "The casement windows, arched door, and decorative vent are what make this house feel like a home.” The cottage’s stucco stands out among the typical wood siding in Mobile’s midtown district. “And there’s less maintenance,” Erin says.

In the yard, Erin went for easy-care picks. “The evergreen vines that curve around the door started out in two planters,” she says. “They really took off when I moved them into the ground.”

Both trees were in place when Erin bought the house. “They’ve practically doubled in size,” she says. “The palm adds a tropical vibe. It reminds me how close I am to the beach!”

Built: 1929

Bought: 2016

Size: 1,335 sq. ft.

Creamy Mushroom

Polar Bear

“All the houses I’ve owned have had red doors — I’ve heard they bring good luck,” Erin says. Not to mention serious charm. (Classic-Craft Rustic CCR100R Arched Full-Plank fiberglass door)

Stiletto Love

Heart 6-3/4"-tall iron door knocker in black lacquer finish

3-1/4"-tall porcelain and steel house number set

Clovis 18" x 30" coir doormat in blue and green

A terra-cotta planter is a great match for orangey flowers. These sunpatiens bloom spring through fall. (Heavy Rim 14"-tall terra-cotta planter)

“Our first impression of this cottage was that it was so plain — there was a white and gray exterior and no landscaping," say homeowners Michael and Jerry Keehn. "Then we noticed the heart pine porch and original shutters. This is the twelfth house we’ve lived in, and it’s definitely our forever home.”

The yard was weeds and mud central before the couple came to the rescue. They planted matching beds of local blooms on both sides. Two crape myrtles frame the entrance.

Built: 1852

Bought: 2016

Size: 1,430 sq. ft.

Perfect Periwinkle

Yes, there are two — back in the day, some Southern homes were built this way to boost ventilation. The couple painted the shutters a fun color to emphasize the symmetry. (36803 Craftsman 2-panel 3-lite wood door)

Extra White

Kichler Barrington 13"-tall aluminum and seeded glass wall light in distressed black

Adkinson 10-1/2"W x 4-1/2"D x 14-1/2"H stainless steel mailbox in oil-rubbed-bronze finish

This plaque from the Mobile Historic Development Commission is given to old homes in the area.

Suzanne Kasler Greek Key Personalized 18" x 30" coir doormat in black

Wicker chairs look sweet next to vintage side tables. “This is a true sit-on-your-porch neighborhood,” Michael says. “Dogs walking by always come up to greet us. We know all of their names.” (Casbah iron and polyethylene chair in white)

“We weren’t looking for a fixer-upper for our first house, but we fell for this one. It was dirty yellow and a tree hid the window," say homeowners Mae and Sam Dennis. "We took it down and brought out the house’s character with fresh paint and plants.”

Mae’s favorite feature is the little Tudor-style window next to the door. “It’s especially nice at night, lit up by the lamp I keep there,” Mae says.

“Our neighborhood has large oak trees that curve over the streets and full azalea bushes everywhere,” Sam says. “We wanted that same storybook look in our yard.” They scored it with lush ornamental grasses, boxwood left untrimmed and whimsical sky pencil holly.

Built: 1940

Bought: 2015

Size: 1,940 sq. ft.

Natural White

Mae inherited it from her parents when they renovated their 1950s home. “We get a lot of compliments on the color,” Sam says. “People say it reminds them of something from a fairy tale.” (7042 Traditional wood door)

Iced Violet

Minka Lavery Handforde Pointe 19"-tall resin sconce in oil-rubbed-bronze finish

Aurele 6"-tall brass house numbers in matte black

Matt Carr 4-1/2"W x 14-1/2"D x 2-3/4"H stainless steel mailbox in matte black

Entryways Williamsburg Georgian Geo 22" x 35" coir doormat

Fort Lauderdale 48-/12"-wide wood garden bench in dark slate gray

A pair at the foot of the steps holds a pretty mix of plants, with a burst of pink pentas. (Footed 16"-tall stainless steel planter in graphite)

“This shotgun house has been in John’s family for four generations, and it sat empty for 25 years. The paint had blistered, there was termite damage — everything was in disrepair. A big reno and the airy blue color gave it life again," say homeowners John Baker and Rick McGowan. Tall columns (those here are 9 -1/2 feet) and hanging baskets help the narrow home seem more grand.

John and Rick’s yard echoes the lighthearted feel of their house. “We chose plants that are simple yet unexpected,” says John. Plus, peep that hitching post on the curb. John bought it at an antiques store in Mobile.

Built: 1868

Bought: 1995

Size: 1,960 sq. ft.

Watery

Dove White

The couple had the original door stripped and repainted a golden yellow, which contrasts nicely with the eggshell blue siding. (Twin 1/2-view 2-panel steel door)

Butterscotch

Planter 24" x 36" coir doormat

Tortuga Portside Plantation resin and powder-coated-steel rocking chairs

Jordan Manufacturing 12" x 18" polyester pillows in faxon cavern

Tortuga Portside Plantation resin and powder-coated-steel table

Safavieh Montauk 3' x 5' cotton rug in turquoise