Copy the Curb Appeal: Detroit, Michigan

Built in: 1947.  Bought in: 1999. Size: 3,750 sq. ft. “This was the old, ugly house on the block when we bought it," say homeowners Karen and Kevin O’Keefe. "The brick was painted bright orange! We did a total reno and changed the colors to match a cute home we spotted while visiting Mackinac Island up north." The U-shaped driveway helps showcase how far back the house is set from the street, and it offers plenty of room for parking.

Cone-shaped white blooms that turn pinkish are the signature of the peegee hydrangea that’s pruned into a tree shape. Every spring Karen fills the 7-foot-long flower box outside the large upstairs window with white and red geraniums, which thrive in the partially sunny spot. The O’Keefes replaced all the windows and purposely chose different sizes. The focal point: an arched center window, which mirrors the shape of the portico ceiling.

For this stately home, a puny porch light wouldn’t suffice. So the O’Keefes chose a large, beveled-glass, lantern-style pendant to hang above their front door. Quoizel Newbury 26 1/2"H x 16"-diameter 4-light hanging lantern in Medici bronze, $399, lightingnewyork.com

The O’Keefes installed a new steel door and sidelights when they bought the home. To make the door stand out, the couple painted it classic red. ReliaBilt 6-panel steel entry door, $168, lowes.com; Paint: Red Delicious by Glidden