Copy the Curb Appeal: Newton, Massachusetts

HGTV Magazine found eye-catching houses in a Boston suburb loaded with inspiring ideas.

By: Jaimie Dalessio Clayton, Jennifer Berno DeCleene, and Leslie Corona

From: HGTV Magazine

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Photo By: Keller + Keller

Photo By: Courtesy of the manufacturer

Photo By: Courtesy of the manufacturer

Photo By: Courtesy of the manufacturer

Photo By: Courtesy of the manufacturer

Photo By: Keller + Keller

Photo By: Courtesy of the manufacturer

Photo By: Courtesy of the manufacturer

Photo By: Keller + Keller

Photo By: Courtesy of the manufacturer

Photo By: Marko Metzinger/Studio D

Photo By: Marko Metzinger/Studio D

Photo By: Courtesy of the manufacturer

Photo By: Courtesy of the manufacturer

Photo By: Courtesy of the manufacturer

Photo By: Courtesy of the manufacturer

Photo By: Keller + Keller

Photo By: Marko Metzinger/Studio D

Photo By: Courtesy of the manufacturer

Photo By: Keller + Keller

Photo By: Courtesy of the manufacturer

Photo By: Courtesy of the manufacturer

Photo By: Courtesy of the manufacturer

Photo By: Courtesy of the manufacturer

Photo By: Keller + Keller

Photo By: Keller + Keller

Photo By: Courtesy of the manufacturer

Photo By: Marko Metzinger/Studio D

Photo By: Courtesy of the manufacturer

Photo By: Courtesy of the manufacturer

Photo By: Courtesy of the manufacturer

Photo By: Courtesy of the manufacturer

About the House

Built in: 1913. Bought in: 2000. Size: 2,877 sq. ft. “I was immediately drawn to this home’s elegant look, even though it was covered in overgrown vines," says homeowner Kate Wendt. "The wide entry, the symmetrical windows, and the columns make it seem so stately.” Spanish-style roof tiles combined with stucco walls and a boxy Colonial floor plan make this home unique for the area.

From: HGTV Magazine

Tile Roof

The burnt orange clay tiles that top this house are original and have held up incredibly well. Get the look with new metal ones. Achilles Metal Roofing Spanish 17 3/4" x 44 1/2" stone-coated-steel panels, $3 per square foot, builddirect.com

From: HGTV Magazine

Paint Colors

House: Georgian Green by Benjamin Moore, Trim: White Opulence by Benjamin Moore; Shutters and porch floor: Wethersfield Moss by Benjamin Moore, Front door: Sedona Clay by Benjamin Moore

From: HGTV Magazine

Door Handle

Oil-rubbed bronze blends in with the exterior’s earthy color scheme. Ultra Hardware Lexington handleset in oil-rubbed bronze finish, from $84, wayfair.com

From: HGTV Magazine

Front Door

To play up the roof, Kate painted the door and its trim—which are original to the house—a similar rusty shade. 4182 door in Douglas fir, from $589, roguevalleydoor.com for stores; Paint: Sedona Clay by Benjamin Moore

From: HGTV Magazine

Climbing Vine and Potted Plants

If Kate didn’t trim the Virginia creeper that spreads across the exterior every year, it would cover the whole house! The pots on the steps contain eye-catching combos of yellow and fuchsia mums, spider plants, coleuses, and jasmine.

From: HGTV Magazine

Doormat

Big flowers in shades of pink, berry, and moss liven up a tan coir mat. Dahlias doormat, $43, hayneedle.com

From: HGTV Magazine

Light Fixture

For historical appeal to fit the 1900s home, Kate chose a lantern with an antique finish. Maxim Wakefield 22 1/2" x 11 1/2" aluminum and glass outdoor 1-light hanging lantern in empire bronze finish, $128, lampsusa.com

From: HGTV Magazine

About the House

Built in: 1871. Bought in: 1992. Size: 3,400 sq. ft. “This home was just what we wanted: a beautiful Victorian with lots of potential—your classic money pit!," joke homeowners Laura Riley and Scott Henderson. "Restoring it has taken us 23 years and counting.” A shadblow serviceberry tree grows in the middle of the yard, and white marguerite daisies bloom to its left. A darker blue paint calls attention to the bands of shingles that “stripe” the house.

From: HGTV Magazine

Light Fixture

A cylindrical pendant with a glass and metal frame delivers a centuries-old look. Sea Gull Lighting Sauganash 18 1/4"H x 10 1/4"-diameter aluminum outdoor 1-light pendant in black, $266, allmodern.com

From: HGTV Magazine

Year-Built Plaque

After a long application process, the owners received the plaque by the door from their town’s historical society. Even if your home is new, you can honor its build date with a similar sign. Historical 8 1/2" x 13 1/2" recycled aluminum plaque in white with black lettering, from $72, montaguemetal.com for stores

From: HGTV Magazine

Lattices

Painted latticework below the porch stands out against the blue siding. Severe Weather 2' x 8' traditional spruce lattice, from $8, lowes.com; Paint: Georgian Brick by Benjamin Moore

From: HGTV Magazine

Double Front Doors

The slim pair of doors, painted the same shade as some of the shingles, dates as far back as the house. Custom CA851 Classic New York double entry door in mahogany, from $3,980, amighini.net for buying info; Paint: Van Deusen Blue by Benjamin Moore

From: HGTV Magazine

Adirondack Chairs

A set of four chairs, plus a pint-size pair from when the couple’s daughters were little, sits on the porch. Child’s unfinished-pine Adirondack chair, $60, littlecolorado.com; Paint: Georgian Brick by Benjamin Moore

From: HGTV Magazine

Paint Colors

House: Hamilton Blue by Benjamin Moore; Trim: Navajo White by Benjamin Moore; Front doors and stripes: Van Deusen Blue by Benjamin Moore; Latticework: Georgian Brick by Benjamin Moore

From: HGTV Magazine

Cast Iron Gate

To match the metal cresting on the roof, the homeowners added a restored cast-iron fence from the 1860s. This new version has equally ornate detailing. Heritage Cast Iron USA 49" x 35" terrace garden gate, $531, rexbilt.com

From: HGTV Magazine

About the House

Built in: 2011. SIze: 3,000 sq. ft. “Since we built our home in a charming, architecturally diverse town, we didn’t want it to look brand-new," say homeowners Amy Cody and John Furst. "Design choices like the sloped roofline and the stone facade and chimney give it a sense of history.” The yard includes Endless Summer hydrangea, alpine Japanese spirea, and dwarf Hinoki cypress shrubs.

From: HGTV Magazine

House Numbers

Brass digits mounted to the trim above the door echo the color of the nearby sandstone siding. 4"-tall cast-brass house numbers in antique brass finish, from $7.50 per number, houseofantiquehardware.com

From: HGTV Magazine

Front Door

Stained a purplish hue, the front door stands out behind the newly added white storm door. Classic-Craft American Style Collection fiberglass door with clear glass, from $1,660.50, thermatru.com for stores; stain: Plum Island by Cabot

From: HGTV Magazine

Potted Plants and Windows

Pink, lavender, and white mums and purple ornamental cabbage complement the eggplant-color front door. Lattice-pattern grilles add historic charm to the bumped-out windows on the right.

From: HGTV Magazine

Paint and Stain Colors

House: Medici Gray by Glidden; Trim: White on White by Glidden; Front door stain: Plum Island by Cabot

From: HGTV Magazine

Patio Table and Chairs

Amy and John make use of their cheerful patio set as often as they can. International Concept 18 3/4"W x 18 1/2"D x 17 3/4"H hardwood table in yellow, $58, target.com; Polywood Classic Adirondack recycled lumber chairs in tangerine, $319 each, bellacor.com

From: HGTV Magazine

Sandstone Siding

The sandstone on the facade and chimney nods to the decades-old stone retaining wall by the sidewalk. Rustic Ledge stone veneer in clearwater, from $6 per square foot, eldoradostone.com for stores

From: HGTV Magazine

Light Fixtures

Small stake lights illuminate the bluestone walkway. Malibu three-tier pagoda 11 1/2" x 6" aluminum 11-watt light in black, $13, usalight.com

From: HGTV Magazine

About the House

Built in: 2013. Size: 3,900 sq. ft. “We tore down the moldy 1950s ranch house that stood here to build our own contemporary Craftsman," say homeowners Risa and Steve Aronson. "There’s nothing more welcoming than its open front porch.” Mahogany columns set on stone-veneer bases help define the open porch. They’re coated in a clear finish to show off their natural warm color. The couple splurged on a copper roof above the porch. They love that it’ll develop a beautiful patina over time.

From: HGTV Magazine

Landscaping and Potted Plants

The front yard features hardy plants, including Emerald Green arborvitae trees and ornamental grasses, Knockout roses, and hostas. In early fall, the Aronsons fill planters on the front steps with orange and yellow mums.

From: HGTV Magazine

Mail Slot

It’s placed outside the garage, which the family uses as their main entry. Baldwin Hardware brass package-size mail slot in satin black, $52.50, myknobs.com

From: HGTV Magazine

Cedar Shingles

Pre-stained shingles in two different colors and profiles raise the charm quotient of the house. Factory-finished white cedar dog-ear shingles in Bayberry by Olympic, and square shingles in Autumn Gray by Olympic, from $3 each per square foot, both sbccedar.com for buying info

From: HGTV Magazine

Front Door

A classic Craftsman door with a ledge is exactly the look the Aronsons wanted. Architectural fiberglass door in mahogany woodgrain, from $1,799, jeld-wen.com for stores

From: HGTV Magazine

Paint Color

Trim: Palais White by Behr

From: HGTV Magazine

Light Fixture

A mission-style pendant fits right in with this home’s design. Dolan Designs Barton 7"W x 7"D x 12"H cast-aluminum and glass outdoor hanging fixture in Winchester finish with Arizona glass, $113, atgstores.com

From: HGTV Magazine

Rocking Chair

Neighbors know the house by its yellow rockers, which the Aronsons bought to add color to the front porch. Polywood Presidential recycled lumber rocker in lemon, $436, amazon.com

From: HGTV Magazine

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