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