On walks around my neighborhood, I look at what people have done to beautify their homes. Some are “fantastically formal.” Others are “picket fence perfect”. Flowers everywhere!!! It makes a walk a joyful adventure……
1.
Cathy,
After reading your post, I was reminded of something I had heard at a home party. The question was asked, “What is the first room people see of your home?” The answer - the front porch. Yours is great. If I knew how to get my photos to the blog, I would gladly add mine as well. I am Creative Consultant in Illinois and always tell clients and friends as well that the first impression people have of your home is your front porch or outdoor entry. Make it great! You don’t need to spend alot of money to spruce things up. A few plants and a good power washing sometimes are all that are needed. However, for those of us who love to decorate any part of our home, you can use any accessories that you may already have inside your home to add some decor outdoors.
2.
Good comments Lynn,
The first impression is the walk up to your front door. Make sure its as inviting as the inside. If you want to post a picture. Go to “Customer Finds” on the right side of this page. Click on “Submit yours” and upload the pictures from your picture files. We would love to see what you’ve done.
Cathy
5.
What if you don’t have a front porch? I don’t know what you would call mine but it’s not really a porch. I’ve been looking for ways to make it look formal but so far I haven’t come up with anything. I don’t want to copy my neighbors. ( Everything she does is perfect.)
8.
Thanks Lisa,
I don’t know about the deer. I guess plant plants that they don’t like to eat.(or an invisible electric fence…LOL, sorry deer lovers..)
We don’t have that problem…………snails and slugs can be a problem here, otherwise its pretty nice.
We live in Florida and our home has dark brown soffits, gutters, window trim and the roof is dark brown. I would like to paint the house which is stucco. We have planters built in to the front of our house that i have planted bushes in that bloom red flowers. These are also stucco and would need to be painted also but maybe in an accent color? i have red accents inside of our home. Can you tell me what color you would suggest to paint the outside including our garage door and front door since we cannot get rid of the brown accents?
Your Florida home sounds nice. You are interested in exterior paint color, keeping your brown trim, roof etc. My first impression would be to stay in the brown/beigh/sand tones, to blend with your trim. I’m thinking a sand color to contrast with the dark trim. Then you can add your accent color of red in a few places to add the interest. Paint your front door red. Red flowers in your planters. Red chairs or cushions by the entry. Red flowers out in the yard. Don’t overdo the red, It’s just an accent. But repeat it around the yard. If you paint the body of the house a lighter sand color, drop down one or two shades darker on the same paint chip to paint your garage door and stucco planters. This will set them off slightly but not distract from the red accents with a totally different color.
Drive around your neighborhood and look at how others have painted. This might help you decide on colors as well. Also, print off a picture of your house and take it into the paint store and get a professional to give you some ideas.
Good luck with your project. I’m sure you’ll find the right color.
See some of the great finds discovered at HomeGoods, or share your own! Please do not take pictures in HomeGoods stores — we want to see how your finds look in your home!
Cathy
An interior decorator in southern California, whose style is “transitional... not too contemporary or too traditional.”
Deb
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A professional organizer in Boston, Massachusetts, who strives to create spaces and systems for her clients to fit their organizational style and decor.
1. Cathy,
After reading your post, I was reminded of something I had heard at a home party. The question was asked, “What is the first room people see of your home?” The answer - the front porch. Yours is great. If I knew how to get my photos to the blog, I would gladly add mine as well. I am Creative Consultant in Illinois and always tell clients and friends as well that the first impression people have of your home is your front porch or outdoor entry. Make it great! You don’t need to spend alot of money to spruce things up. A few plants and a good power washing sometimes are all that are needed. However, for those of us who love to decorate any part of our home, you can use any accessories that you may already have inside your home to add some decor outdoors.
Lynn
by lynn — 5/29/07 at 4:57 pm #
2. Good comments Lynn,
The first impression is the walk up to your front door. Make sure its as inviting as the inside. If you want to post a picture. Go to “Customer Finds” on the right side of this page. Click on “Submit yours” and upload the pictures from your picture files. We would love to see what you’ve done.
Cathy
by Cathy — 5/29/07 at 7:05 pm #
3. I agree…that the front of your home…gives guests a “glimpse”
of who you are and what you like…
MAKE IT FUN!
by Julie — 6/29/07 at 8:00 pm #
4. Hi Julie,
Yes, you’re right. The first impression is always the best impression. Have a great summer. Cathy
by Cathy — 7/2/07 at 12:03 pm #
5. What if you don’t have a front porch? I don’t know what you would call mine but it’s not really a porch. I’ve been looking for ways to make it look formal but so far I haven’t come up with anything. I don’t want to copy my neighbors. ( Everything she does is perfect.)
by jana — 8/23/07 at 3:34 pm #
6. Jana,
HAAAAAAAAAAAAA. Don’t you hate people like that. Oh go ahead, copy her……….its the sincerest form of flattery!!! LOL.
by Cathy — 8/23/07 at 5:29 pm #
7. What if you have deer that eat everything!!! I love this.. what great cub appeal!!
by Lisa — 8/23/07 at 11:49 pm #
8. Thanks Lisa,
I don’t know about the deer. I guess plant plants that they don’t like to eat.(or an invisible electric fence…LOL, sorry deer lovers..)
We don’t have that problem…………snails and slugs can be a problem here, otherwise its pretty nice.
by Cathy — 8/24/07 at 5:55 pm #
9. Cathy,
We live in Florida and our home has dark brown soffits, gutters, window trim and the roof is dark brown. I would like to paint the house which is stucco. We have planters built in to the front of our house that i have planted bushes in that bloom red flowers. These are also stucco and would need to be painted also but maybe in an accent color? i have red accents inside of our home. Can you tell me what color you would suggest to paint the outside including our garage door and front door since we cannot get rid of the brown accents?
Thank you,
Dawn
by Dawn — 6/28/08 at 4:21 pm #
10. Hello Dawn,
Your Florida home sounds nice. You are interested in exterior paint color, keeping your brown trim, roof etc. My first impression would be to stay in the brown/beigh/sand tones, to blend with your trim. I’m thinking a sand color to contrast with the dark trim. Then you can add your accent color of red in a few places to add the interest. Paint your front door red. Red flowers in your planters. Red chairs or cushions by the entry. Red flowers out in the yard. Don’t overdo the red, It’s just an accent. But repeat it around the yard. If you paint the body of the house a lighter sand color, drop down one or two shades darker on the same paint chip to paint your garage door and stucco planters. This will set them off slightly but not distract from the red accents with a totally different color.
Drive around your neighborhood and look at how others have painted. This might help you decide on colors as well. Also, print off a picture of your house and take it into the paint store and get a professional to give you some ideas.
Good luck with your project. I’m sure you’ll find the right color.
by Cathy — 6/29/08 at 11:45 pm #
11. Cathy,
Thank you for your suggestions. I will send you a picture when it is all completed.
Dawn
by Dawn — 7/3/08 at 12:00 pm #
12. Your welcome Dawn,
Hope it helped a little. I would love to see how the house looks when you get it done.
Write back soon and keep us posted.
by Cathy — 7/3/08 at 5:44 pm #