Curb Appeal: The Best of the Southeast

“This home has been in my family since I was a toddler," says homeowner Rosalind Heinz. "It’s known for the ginkgo tree in the yard, which I tried to pay homage to with the exterior colors.” Every fall, the leaves on the ginkgo tree turn yellow and drop to the ground. Sidelights and a transom frame the hefty wood door, which is original to the house. Rosalind’s parents installed the box-shaped lantern in the ’70s, and it was her dad’s idea to spell out the house numbers above the transom instead of using digits — a fun touch!

The front yard's all-green shrubs include yew, juniper and euonymus.

Location: Louisville, KY

Built in: 1925

Size: 1,920 sq. ft.

Paint colors: Try (house) Seawashed Glass (trim) Extra White and (front door and shutters) Rayo de Sol by Sherwin-Williams for a similar look.

“We love how welcoming our house feels when you pull into the driveway," say homeowners Hooper and Read Patterson. "It’s tucked away like a cottage.” Among the charming elements: classic Craftsman columns set on brick bases for a rustic look and a front door with an extra-large glass pane to let in a lot of light. Plus, a painted coral bench lets visitors know a fun family lives inside.

This front yard is packed with blooms in tons of shapes and colors, including purplish blue petunias, yellow cockscomb, lavender ageratum, variegated pittosporum, black-eyed Susan, red cockscomb and pink petunias.

Location: Wilmington, NC

Built in: 1997

Paint colors: (siding) Winter Day, Behr; (trim) Simply White and (side door) Coral Gables, Benjamin Moore

“We’ve spent countless hours lounging on our porch over the years," say homeowners Terry and Walter Woodlief. "Its wide columns and French doors that open to a sunroom were a major selling point.”  A wrought iron door in front of the solid front door adds character, and metal chairs with cozy cushions keep with the wrought iron look.

Pink wax begonias and yellow marigolds bloom in the long planter that spans the first-floor window. Ponytail palms, a variety of succulent, grow in terra-cotta pots that flank the front steps. Thanks to the warm Florida climate, they can stay outside all year. Sun-loving crotons and yellowish-orange marigolds on both sides of the front steps require little care, just occasional watering.

Location: Jacksonville, FL

Built in: 1923

Size: 2,300 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (window trim and front door) Oxblood, Behr; (house) try Wool Skein and (trim) Marshmallow by Sherwin-Williams for a similar look

When homeowners Jennifer and Scott Parks updated the Florida home they bought in 2010, they leaned into classic style. "We have a metal roof above our porch. Many traditional homes in the area have them, and we wanted that historic look. When we renovated, we also added four oversized columns. The brick comes from one of the many old factories in the area," they say. Shake siding makes the dormer stand out from the rest of the house. Live-edge teak benches on the porch add a natural element to the exterior, but their next project is to bring even more interest to this sitting area. They plan to buy comfy chairs to accommodate visitors from the neighborhood. "Neighbors stop by a lot, and we wind up sitting on the stairs!"

Tall planters flanking the front door are filled with bright marigolds. They can take hot temps, so they’re a smart choice for the South. Sunshine ligustrum provides a pop of yellow year-round, while flax lilies' long, skinny leaves are a near-perfect match to the siding. Mexican petunias attract butterflies to the flower beds.

Location: Pensacola, FL

Built in: 1912

Size: 2,700 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (house) Storm Cloud Gray, Benjamin Moore; (retaining wall) Bitter Chocolate, Sherwin-Williams; (shutters) Early American, Varathane