Copy the Curb Appeal: Knoxville, Tennessee

Built in: 2011. Size: 4,250 sq. ft. “Even though we built our house, it’s in a historic neighborhood, so we wanted it to fit in. We love all its cottage-y touches, like the window boxes, the brick path and the cutouts on the shutters,” say homeowners Chris and Colleen Austin.

Surprise! The ceiling of the portico is finished with tongue-and-groove boards painted to match the shutters and the door.

The curved glass at the top of the wood front door echoes the shape of the portico. “It may not be a traditional door, but I love all the glass,” says Colleen. “It really brightens our entry.” 

412VA fir door, from $916, roguevalleydoor.com for stores; Paint: Wedgewood Gray by Benjamin Moore

Diamond-shaped cutouts, a Colonial-revival detail, give the flat-panel shutters a distinctive look. 

Classic Collection Board and Batten 30" x 18" composite shutters in white, $390 for a set of 2, hooksandlattice.com; Paint: Wedgewood Gray by Benjamin Moore