Copy the Curb Appeal: Los Angeles

These eye-catching California houses from HGTV Magazine are loaded with inspiring curb appeal ideas.

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January 26, 2021

From: HGTV Magazine

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Photo By: ZEKE RUELAS

Photo By: Aaron Graubart

Photo By:

Photo By: ZEKE RUELAS

Photo By: Aaron Graubart

Photo By: Gerson Company

Photo By: ZEKE RUELAS

Photo By: Aaron Graubart

Photo By: ZEKE RUELAS

Photo By: Aaron Graubart

Photo By: Mike Penney

Photo By: Aaron Graubart

About the House

“The architect who designed many of the homes in the historical Hollywoodland neighborhood did our house, too, so that old Hollywood feel really comes through," say homeowners Elizabeth and Scott Rosenbaum of their 1926, 3,704-square-foot home. "Arched doors, tile steps and window grilles on the second floor amp up the Mediterranean flair.”

When the couple bought the house in 2014, out went high trees and a fence that hid the home; in came plants that show it off. Boxwood and salvia line the path to the front door, while bright bougainvillea give a punch of pink. Towering Italian cypress along the front of the house highlight the 8-foot-6-inch-tall arched doors.

From: HGTV Magazine

House Paint

Whisper White

Buy It: Behr

Trim Paint

Mink

Buy It: Benjamin Moore

Baldwin House Numbers

5"-tall metal house numbers in oil-rubbed bronze finish

Buy It: Home Depot, $14 each

Escon Doors Entrada Round Top Door

It’s oak and original to the house. The metal grille, intricate carvings, and curved shape are classic Mediterranean door style. A potted kumquat tree to the right is a traditional Chinese sign of good luck and prosperity.

Buy It: Doors 4 Home, $1,740

Minka Lavery Light

Hanford Pointe 21-3/4"-tall polymer light

Buy It: Lamps Plus, $200

Sunsational Designer Awning

“The second story looked rather squat without them,” says Elizabeth, “and stripes are thinning, as we all know!"

Buy It: Houzz, $258

Bond Manufacturing Fountain

Napa Valley 45"-tall fiberglass fountain

Buy It: Overstock, $240

Brunello Resin Planters

Matching ones near the arched doors hold olive trees for extra-pleasing symmetry.

Buy It: Plant Addicts, $109

About the House

“Our place used to be off-white, like practically every other house on the block," say homeowners Brooke and Bob Nickman of their 1930, 1,550-square-foot house. "Once we painted it vibrant colors and planted a lush garden, it stood out. Now neighbors tell us it’s a destination point on their walks!”

When the couple bought the hoouse in 1997, they completely transformed the yard from a plain lawn with a few small trees to a lush hodgepodge of plants, aka “quilted gardening.” Says Brooke: “Seeing them change every season is one of my favorite things about living here.”

And check out the clay tile roof. Characteristic of Spanish architecture, it's made with barrel tiles that fit together to create a rippled effect. “The multicolor terra-cotta adds a lot of depth to the house,” says Brooke. “And there’s almost no maintenance.”

From: HGTV Magazine

House Paint

Byrd Beige

Buy It: Benjamin Moore

Trim Paint

Ming Jade

Buy It: Benjamin Moore

Louvered Shutters

Wood composite 30" x 12" shutters

Buy It: Monument Shutters, $135 (for a set of 2)

Shutter Paint

Mayan Green

Buy It: Benjamin Moore

Mexican Yellow Flower Plaque

9-1/2" x 14-1/2" ceramic address plaque

Buy It: Classy Plaques Studios, $175

Bronze Sconce

Nuvo Lighting 11"-tall steel sconce in old bronze finish

Buy It: Build, $49

Candle Lantern

Solar-Powered 11"-tall plastic candle lantern

Buy It: Battery Operated Candles, $30

Terra-Cotta Bell

Dome 4-1/2"-tall bell

Buy It: Brownsland Farm and Home, $15

Safavieh Hantom Chair

“This is our coffee spot — we’re out here every day, all year,” says Brooke.

Buy It: Overstock, $260

Aztec Pillow

A black-and-white pillow brings West Coast boho vibes.

Buy It: Zazzle, $48

About the House

“My neighborhood is a mix of styles that were popular in LA in the 1920s. I love the 1920 juxtaposition of California Craftsman and Tudor Revival," says homeowner Laura Vender. "Repainting the [2,100-square-foot] house taupe — it used to be yellow — brought out its uniqueness.”

The pediment’s decorative trim is a charming Tudor twist. “I made it a different color than the siding to highlight it,” says Laura. In 2011 when Laura bought the house, her yard was mostly grass which meant a lot of watering. She put in a variety of SoCal-friendly plants: French lavender, ivy leaf geranium, iceberg rose, Italian cypress, star jasmine, mystic spires blue salvia.

From: HGTV Magazine

House Paint

Briarwood

Buy It: Benjamin Moore

Trim Paint

Moonlight White

Buy It: Benjamin Moore

Woodwork Paint

Stone Brown

Buy It: Benjamin Moore

Jeld-Wen 6-Panel Wood Door

Laura pulled this gorgeous purple from the patterned tiles on the walkway. “Everybody knows my house as ‘the one with the lavender door!’ ”

Buy It: Home Depot, $631

Door Paint

Violet Stone

Buy It: Benjamin Moore

TrafficMaster Doormat

Scroll Diamond 24" x 36" coir doormat

Buy It: Home Depot, $23

Horizon Mailbox

16"W x 3-3/4"D x 8-1/4"H aluminum mailbox in black

Buy It: Special Lite Products, $58

Hampton Bay Light

10-1/2"-diameter metal flush mount light in black

Buy It: Home Depot, $50

Havenside Home Bench

Hydaburg Diamond 48"W x 24"D x 34"H acacia and eucalyptus wood bench in white

Buy It: Overstock, $150

About the House

“When we got it [in 2014], it was a plain box that had grid windows — along with a giant hole in the roof and tons of water damage," say Sam and Navine Karim of their 1,850-square-foot house. "We tore it down to the studs and built a contemporary home. Details like aluminum trim and a diagonal concrete path make it cool.”

The 1926 home’s neutral stucco lets the garden shine. Sam and Navine included feathery California native plants to soften the shape of the house, all drought-tolerant. Mystic spires blue salvia and lavender near the porch plus clevelandii salvia in front of the cedar gate bring in touches of purple, while kangaroo paw and yellow lantana next to the sidewalk add peppy pops. “It’s a magical spot,” says Sam. They even planted a lemon tree. “Navine and I are from colder places, so being able to grow our own fruit never gets old,” says Sam. “I use ours to make limoncello.”

From: HGTV Magazine

House Paint

Silver Marlin

Buy It: Behr

Contemporary Douglas Door

The Karims were drawn to the door’s mid-century good looks. “We wanted a bold color and tried a deep burgundy, but it read too dark,” says Sam. “This bright red is much cheerier.”

Buy It: Simpson Door, $2,000 and up

Front Door Paint

Heritage Red

Buy It: Benjamin Moore

Geometric Doormat

15-3/4" x 23-3/4" coir doormat in blue tones

Buy It: Etsy: Contempohome, $35

Black Sconce

Kichler Harper 12"-tall aluminum sconce

Buy It: Lamps Plus, $99

Polywood Oakport Chair

Plastic Adirondack chair in sunset red

Buy It: Lowe's, $179

Divine Home Pillow

Striped orange 12" x 20" polyester outdoor pillow

Buy It: Lowe's, $55

Copy the Curb Appeal: Los Angeles

Related To:

Shop This Look

About the House

House Paint

Trim Paint

Baldwin House Numbers

Escon Doors Entrada Round Top Door

Minka Lavery Light

Sunsational Designer Awning

Bond Manufacturing Fountain

Brunello Resin Planters

About the House

House Paint

Trim Paint

Louvered Shutters

Shutter Paint

Mexican Yellow Flower Plaque

Bronze Sconce

Candle Lantern

Terra-Cotta Bell

Safavieh Hantom Chair

Aztec Pillow

About the House

House Paint

Trim Paint

Woodwork Paint

Jeld-Wen 6-Panel Wood Door

Door Paint

TrafficMaster Doormat

Horizon Mailbox

Hampton Bay Light

Havenside Home Bench

About the House

House Paint

Contemporary Douglas Door

Front Door Paint

Geometric Doormat

Black Sconce

Polywood Oakport Chair

Divine Home Pillow

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