Copy the Curb Appeal: Des Moines, Iowa

“I love the character of older homes, and my 1939 brick cottage sure has it! The dormers, triangle-shaped entry, and row of little windows on the front door are really inviting,” says Mary Van Heukelom of her 1,950 sq. ft. home. Sage green shutters with matching trim are super fresh next to dark green shrubs. “People always ask for the name of the paint color,” she says.

When Mary bought the house in 1997, she had some goals: Keep it simple so it wouldn’t overwhelm the house, and low-fuss. “I wanted to spend more time hanging out in my yard than working on it,” says Mary. She left the evergreen yews near the stoop and planted hardy dwarf lilacs by the addition.

Sleeping Angel

Mesclun Green

Mary craved a color that would stand out. Done! “The oversize house numbers also lend a cool, contemporary feel to my old door,” she says.