Copy the Charming Curb Appeal

HGTV Magazine took a spin through the Hyde Park neighborhood in Tampa on the lookout for charming houses. See what they found and how you can replicate these great exterior ideas.

By: Jennifer Berno DeCleene and Rachael Weiner

From: HGTV Magazine

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Photo By: Amy Mikler

Coastal Colors

Jeannie and Robert McLean bought their 1927 home in 1995. They say, "We love all the windows and awnings on our pink Mediterranean revival. It's a true Tampa house."

From: HGTV Magazine

Concrete Tile Roof

Made with sand and cement, these roof tiles are comprised of earth-friendly building materials. Since concrete is a good insulator, and the light color doesn’t absorb much heat, they're energy efficient, too.

From: HGTV Magazine

Paint Colors

Walls: Soft Pink by Behr; Trim: Ultra Pure White by Behr; Front door: Deep Azure by Behr

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Ornament

This decorative resin design can be painted any color and attaches with screws or glue. Heavy oval shield onlay CP-117, $75, architecturaldepot.com

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House Numbers

Hand-painted ceramic tiles look like outdoor art. Tlaxcala house numbers Santa Barbara, $13 each, tierrayfuego.com

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Potted Plants

A cool square shape makes basic terra cotta look modern. Fill with a mix of bright red geraniums and snapdragons. Compass Company 16"W x 16"D x 21"H jerry tall square planter, $82, wayfair.com

From: HGTV Magazine

Ground Cover

Asian jasmine flanks the path and borders the hedges. This dark-green ground cover is fast-growing and adds layers to a flat lawn. It thrives in warm climates.

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Striped Awnings

The McLeans' awnings were custom-made with Sunbrella fabric and spear supports. Go online for similar ready-made looks at a fraction of the cost. Bonus: They're easy to install yourself. 8' traditional awnings in a box stripe, $330, sears.com

From: HGTV Magazine

Wraparound Porch

Ashley and David Germain bought their 1908 house in 2005. They say, "The wide porch is our favorite thing about the house. We also like the glass pattern on the front door."

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Lantern

A black-finish metal lantern is a classic. This one has sensors so it turns off and on automatically when the sun rises and sets. Alexandria black Energy Star outdoor wall light, $59, lampsplus.com

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Paint Colors

Porch floor: Francesca by Martha Stewart; Siding and trim: White Dove by Benjamin Moore; Front door: Putting Green by Valspar

From: HGTV Magazine

Planters

Preserved grass spheres in the planters never need watering. They hold up for a couple of years. DMC 14" square natural Chippendale planter, $50, homedepot.com

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Round Window

Not every window has to match. A quirky porthole in the center of the second floor stands out among all the double-hung versions and adds character to the all-white house.

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Porch Swing

A deep front porch just begs for a swing! This one is made of plastic, so it won’t warp, rot or splinter. Polywood 5' recycled plastic vineyard porch swing, $440, hayneedle.com

From: HGTV Magazine

Front Door

The diamond mullion pattern in the glass is echoed on the transom and sidelight windows around it. The door gets a fresh color every few years. Last time it was hot pink. Next up: coral!

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Boston Ferns

In the white concrete planters on the brick columns that line the front steps, the Germains planted Boston ferns. They look tropical and require almost no upkeep in warm climates.

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Flower Beds

'Sonnet yellow' snapdragons and 'Angelina' sedum grow in front of the porch. Both thrive in the summer.

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Mail Slot

A shiny brass slot is like door jewelry. Brass Accents mail slot $48.50, knobsandhardware.com

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One-of-a-Kind Design

Meg Russell and Thad Bereday bought their 1912 home in 2003. They say. "We call the house a 'Craftsman Tudor bungalow.' We've never seen another one like it!"

From: HGTV Magazine

Rocking Chairs

Meg and Thad relax in a pair of rocking chairs on the front porch, with the ceiling fan for a breeze. Tortuga Outdoor traditional wooden rocking chair in white, $129, homeclick.com

From: HGTV Magazine

Paint Colors

Siding: Copen Blue by Sherwin-Williams; Trim: Alabaster by Sherwin-Williams; Stucco, foundation, and brackets: Silver Gray by Sherwin-Williams

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Railings

The house's X-pattern railings, which wrap around the front porch and the upstairs mini porch, are made of bald cypress, so they'll wear well over time.

From: HGTV Magazine

Path Lights

A pair of copper landscape lights, on either side of the steps, matches the old-fashioned gutters and mailbox. Hinkley 1403OC low voltage copper landscape path lighting, $105, delmarfans.com

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Eaves and Brackets

The wide overhangs, or eaves, don't just look adorable; they work to keep the house cool, too. Decorative brackets in each corner are painted taupe to contrast against white trim.

From: HGTV Magazine

Front Door

A glass panel makes a richly stained front door feel welcoming. Classic-Craft Mahogany Collection fiberglass door, from $816.50, thermatru.com

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Planted Urns

The graceful black iron urns are filled with Swedish ivy and bicolor (yellow and purple) pansies. Three Coins Planters small Venetian urn, $365, wayfair.com

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Relax in the Shade

Laurie and Duncan Elliott bought their 1917 house in 1998. They say, "We adore the large trees that shade our lot and the pretty brick steps leading to the front porch."

From: HGTV Magazine

Landscaping

Ligustrum hedges and boxwoods line the house. Small beds of white impatiens border the walkway.

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Paint Colors

Siding: Sandstone Sill by Martin Senour; Trim, columns, and railing: French White by Benjamin Moore; Window and French doors: Beach Glass by Benjamin Moore

From: HGTV Magazine

Flower-Packed Planters

The Elliotts' urns, on each side of the brick steps, are filled with four plants for a lush look. The combo: mint, red snapdragons, trailing ivy and hot pink geraniums. Low planter 5916, $114, fountainsuppliers.com

From: HGTV Magazine

Painted Window Frames

To liven up the Craftsman-style windows, the Elliotts painted the wooden frames and mullions between each pane of glass light blue.

From: HGTV Magazine

Lantern

A bronze-finish lantern hangs in front of the door. The mission-style light is in keeping with the Craftsman bungalow. Craftsman outdoor hanging lantern, $225, shadesoflight.com

From: HGTV Magazine

Porch Seating

The covered space is furnished like a comfy living room — with a swing and all-weather woven chairs that resemble wicker. The cushions are covered in powder-blue outdoor fabric. Martinique club chair from $1,440, ebelinc.com for buying info

From: HGTV Magazine

Brick Path and Steps

The brick walk warms up the front of the house. To prevent stains, clear leaves regularly.

From: HGTV Magazine

Copy the Charming Curb Appeal

Related To:

Shop This Look

Coastal Colors

Concrete Tile Roof

Paint Colors

Ornament

House Numbers

Potted Plants

Ground Cover

Striped Awnings

Wraparound Porch

Lantern

Paint Colors

Planters

Round Window

Porch Swing

Front Door

Boston Ferns

Flower Beds

Mail Slot

One-of-a-Kind Design

Rocking Chairs

Paint Colors

Railings

Path Lights

Eaves and Brackets

Front Door

Planted Urns

Relax in the Shade

Landscaping

Paint Colors

Flower-Packed Planters

Painted Window Frames

Lantern

Porch Seating

Brick Path and Steps

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