The United States of Curb Appeal

HGTV Magazine took a spin through neighborhoods all across the country and found eye-catching houses worth a closer look.

From: HGTV Magazine

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Dallas, Texas

Built in: 1926. Bought in: 2012. Size: 2,012 sq. ft.“When we moved to this area, we didn’t want a cookie-cutter suburban house, and this home, with its interesting H-shaped layout, delivered," say homeowners Ann and John Damele. "The landscaping was one of the few things we changed.” A pair of chimneys adds height to the facade and emphasizes the home’s perfect symmetry.

From: HGTV Magazine

Light Fixtures

With three walls around it, the patio needs more than one light. A trio of intricate lanterns does the trick. Designers Fountain Amherst Dark Sky 13 1/4"H x 33 /4"-diameter cast-aluminum outdoor wall lantern, $73.50, homeclick.com

From: HGTV Magazine

Urns and Flower Beds

Fast-growing mandevilla plants fill the urns flanking the front door. The cheerful yard features orange marigolds, yellow zinnias, and pink and red periwinkles.

From: HGTV Magazine

House Numbers

Slim, streamlined digits add a modern note to the 1920s home. Ginger Finley for HouseArt 5"-tall stainless steel house numbers in dark bronze finish, $28 each, lumens.com

From: HGTV Magazine

Wicker Chairs

The Dameles’ deep porch can accommodate two substantial chairs and still has room for flowers. Whitecraft Boca chair in natural with cushion in Sunbrella couture papyrus, from $967, woodard-furniture.com for stores

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Doormat

Made from rubber and coir, this vine-patterned mat looks pretty—and can withstand heavy foot traffic. Home & More Vine Leaves doormat, $32, allmodern.com

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Paint Colors

House: Lover’s Hideaway by Kelly-Moore; Brown trim: Cannon Ball by Kelly-Moore; White trim: Whitest White by Kelly-Moore

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Door Handle

Its dark finish pops against the wood door’s natural hue. Austin single-cylinder metal handleset with lever in Venetian bronze finish, $134, kwikset.com for stores

From: HGTV Magazine

Front Door

Ann and John added a new front door, which they stained and sealed. This one is pre-sealed with a clear finish and ready to install. 5661-A ARP knotty alder door, from $975, roguevalleydoor.com for stores

From: HGTV Magazine

Montclair, New Jersey

Built in: 1893. Bought in: 1994. Size: 1,800 sq. ft. “People tell us our house looks like it belongs at the beach," say homeowners Eileen Sweeny and Jay Beckner. "We hope that means it seems inviting and comfortable. In a town filled with large Victorians, it proves smaller homes can be beautiful too.” The balcony adds charm like a dormer would but on a larger scale.

From: HGTV Magazine

Landscaping and Potted Plants

The couple chose low-maintenance bushes and flowers, including a barberry bush, lambs’ ears, and purple coneflowers. Yellow and red celosia grow tall in pots at the bottom of the steps.

From: HGTV Magazine

Front Door

Eileen painted the wood door deep purple to complement the siding’s citron hue, which shifts from yellow to green depending on the time of day. Craftsman fir grain fiberglass door, from $1,400, clopay.com for stores; paint: Chambourd by Benjamin Moore

Light Fixture

Its elongated shape doesn’t overpower the narrow portico. Townhouse 23"H x 9 1/4"-diameter cast-aluminum outdoor hanging pendant in black, $130.50, kichler.com for stores

Paint Colors

House: Wasabi by Benjamin Moore; Front door: Chambourd by Benjamin Moore; Trim and shutters: Frostine by Benjamin Moore

From: HGTV Magazine

Doorbell

The couple’s house has its original bell, but you can buy a new one with a similar antique look. Round beaded doorbell in antique brass finish, $10, restorationhardware.com

From: HGTV Magazine

Doormat

What’s friendlier than a doormat that greets you up front? This one is made from ultra-durable polypropylene. Waterhog Simple Hello doormat in yellow, $40, brookstone.com

Bench and Pillow

Since Eileen and Jay don’t have a big porch, they placed a bench on the grass to the right of the door. Achla Designs Fretwork eucalyptus and polyurethane bench in white, $315, homeclick.com; Pillow Perfect Full Bloom 18 1/2" x 18 1/2" polyester pillows, $42 for a set of 2, overstock.com

From: HGTV Magazine

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Built in: 1930. Bought in: 1998. Size: 5,500 sq. ft. “We fell in love with this Colonial’s storybook look," say homeowners Dana and Scot Malloy. "It may not have a formal front porch, but it has great stone steps, where we love to hang out with our two Labradors.” The slate roof is outfitted with 4-inch guards to stop snow from avalanching off it in the winter.

From: HGTV Magazine

Flower Beds and Lemon Tree

Raised beds on both sides of the door feature orange and yellow daylilies, Annabelle hydrangeas, black-eyed Susan, and coralbells. Two small Meyer lemon trees (which bloom in late spring) grow in square planters and add fragrance by the front door.

From: HGTV Magazine

Front Doors

When the Malloys moved in, the main front door was green. They stripped away the paint and stained the wood to emphasize the grain. A simple white storm door matches the house and trim color. Custom Raised 6-Panel Square-Top wood door in cherry, from $2,098, woodportdoors.com for stores; CS-09T pine storm door, from $415, victorianaeast.com for buying info; paint: Extra White by Sherwin-Williams

Door Knocker

As a nod to Scot’s time as a naval officer, the Malloys swapped their basic knocker for an anchor-shaped one. Anchor 7 1/2"-tall brass knocker, $59, potterybarn.com

From: HGTV Magazine

Paint Colors

House and trim: Extra White by Sherwin-Williams; Shutters:Blue Nocturne by Fine Paints of Europe

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Shutters

Each wood shutter has a cutout of a small anchor for a seafaring vibe. Custom cedar shutters in Colonial times with anchor cutouts, from $400 for 2, timberlane.com for buying info

From: HGTV Magazine

American Flag

Bright white siding lets the Stars and Stripes shine. Valley Forge Economy 3' x 5' polycotton flag set, $16, acehardware.com

Cleveland, Ohio

Built in: 1908. Bought in: 2005. Size: 3,500 sq. ft. “We admired this local gem for years before we had the chance to buy it," say homeowners Maureen and Brian Powers. "It’s walking distance from Lake Erie, so every summer it feels like a vacation house—but one that we never have to leave.” Painted taupe, the wide sandstone columns look uniform and still have texture.

From: HGTV Magazine

Ferns and Potted Plants

To keep their Boston ferns alive year after year, Maureen and Brian bring them inside every winter. A mix of containers—each with its own plant combo—dots the front steps. Sweet potato vine and pink geraniums grow in stonelike pots, while yellow begonias, yellow calibrachoa, and white lobularia burst from glazed blue pots.

From: HGTV Magazine

Front Door

The door’s large glass inset mimics the shape of the windows along the porch. A clear finish shows off the wood’s rich color. MAI Doors DT-20 mahogany door in saddle, from $930, doors4home.com

From: HGTV Magazine

Light Fixture

Its bronze finish plays up the warm tones of the door. Kichler Kirkwood 18"-tall cast-aluminum outdoor hanging pendant in tannery bronze, $198, build.com

From: HGTV Magazine

Doorbell

One trimmed with intricate metalwork is perfectly suited to the 100-year-old home. Crest burnished brass doorbell button with LED light, $27.50, lampsplus.com

From: HGTV Magazine

Paint Colors

House (first story): Artichoke by Sherwin-Williams, House (second story): Clary Sage by Sherwin-Williams; Trim: Dover White by Sherwin-Williams; Columns: Downing Sand by Sherwin-Williams

From: HGTV Magazine

Doormat

This mat’s many shades of green pick up the colors of the house and yard. Green Garden coir doormat, $28, bambeco.com

From: HGTV Magazine

Door Handle

The Powers’ is original, but a new knob in an antique bronze finish offers a similar feel. Nashville entrance trim set in Venetian bronze finish, $495, baldwinhardware.com for stores