Curb Appeal

July 14, 2013
I purchased my home in 1990 as a recently divorced 34 year old parent of two children aged 11 and 5.

Curb Appeal Before Photo
This is the Century 21 file listing photo.  I loved this house.  The "Wedgwood Blue" new steel siding was very "in" and the house was up on on a sloped yard.  It seemed like my castle on a hill.  It worked for us.  Only a single stall garage, but I only had one car.

The two tall shrubs were immediately removed and the lower shrub on the left was later removed to give the covered patio a view of the street.  I became a gardener too.


Then lots of things changed, I got remarried in 1993, and had another child in 1994.  I became a perennial gardener,

Creating Curb Appeal with Plants
Front Yard Cottage Garden

and a junk gardener.

Decorated Outdoor Patio
Covered Patio with Vintage Decor.

And I added a third paint color as an accent , terra cotta, because I didn't think the Wedgwood Blue was so "in" anymore, and needed to update.

The view from my curb today is this:
Creating Curb Appeal


Creating Curb Appeal


Creating Curb Appeal

Creating Curb Appeal

Creating Curb Appeal
Too busy for some, perfect for me!















Thanks for reading my blog, Carlene

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Comments

  1. It looks beautiful Carlene!!!
    Very warm and welcoming XOXOXO

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  2. Thanks for taking us on the journey! I like your house, it's very homey and filled with love.

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  3. Just GORGEOUS!!! Thanks for the post, as it's certainly a much needed inspiration. We just purchased a new home, and I've been trying to get a "vision" of what needs and can be done. You've got my wheels turning...

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  4. Right up my alley!! You are an amazing gardener. Love your cute house with all it's personality.

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  5. Perennials are definitely the way to make your garden outstanding and yours definitely is. I really like all your vintage touches. The ladder is a great addition. I collect quite a bit myself and love using old tools, wheels and the like.
    ann

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  6. Now that's curb appeal! Gave me ideas for next year!

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  7. So pretty Carlene! I wish my thumb was as green as yours! Love the terra-cotta accent too, it really made your home pop!

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  8. You've created such a beautiful home. I love your garden. Hugs, Marty

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  9. I love the blue, it's very pretty,Carlene!

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  10. What a lovely garden! I love the flowers and junk and accent color!

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  11. I don't think it is too busy at all. Love all the flowers. I even think the 3 white windows would look good trimmed in brown.

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  12. Lovely transformation! Like you, I purchased my house after being divorced 4 years ago this August. It has been fun and exciting turning it into my "dream" home, small as it is!

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  13. You did an AWESOME job on the exterior of your home! Your junk garden is AWESOME TOO! You can come to my home and makeover my exterior any time!
    Deb

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  14. Gorgeous Carlene!
    The gardens just add so much, and you have such a fun eclectic style!
    Hey, I was turning 34 in 1990 too.
    I had a new baby and an eleven year old. Later divorced, remarried in 1997 and added a step-son.
    Thanks for sharing!
    Cindy

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  15. Your house has so much character now. I still love the blue myself. It will be all the rage at Restoration Hardware in a few years anyhow.

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  16. Beautiful!! Love the gardens, and your home looks great!

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  17. So cute! I like the terra cotta color added.
    And...I do love that porch too.
    Pat

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  18. You know I love your home and your gardens. Like I said before the your blue is the same as my blue. we repainted the shutters first with a terra cotta but switched to a chocolate brown. If we had painted more shutters with the tc, I would have like it better.

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  19. Looks wonderful Carlene! I also bought my little house post-divorce but right after my husband and I got married, and with three little ones. We have grown out of ours, but make it work. Your gardens are just beautiful!!

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  20. Gorgeous Gardens. I think maybe blue is coming back in style. I had a blue house in 1990 also and I loved It! Brings back memories.

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  21. I love getting a full view of your house and yard. It's so pretty. I vet it's the most inviting house in the neighborhood. laurie

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  22. I love your home and how you have decorated your yard and flower gardens. So pretty!!
    hugs,
    Cindy

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  23. Good Morning Carlene, Your home is beautiful and I adore your gardens, they are a riot of colour, with so much to look at.
    We each have individual styles and it really does not matter what other people think. You say it may be too fussy for some, but that really does not matter as the only thing which is important is that your home is perfect for you.
    Have a lovely day.
    Best Wishes
    Daphne

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  24. So much better after getting the green thumb touch from you! I am seriously loving the terra cotta accent color. I kind of want to paint my front door that color now. It's been primed for 10 years waiting for me to decide on something!

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  25. You've done a wonderful job creating a welcoming curb appeal, Carlene! The maple tree adds so much to your front yard.

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  26. It looks great and you know an artist lives here! Funny how we grow ad change over the years into who we are NOW!

    Sue, Flea Market Gradening

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  27. If someone doesn't like the color then they can focus on the garden, and if that doesn't make them smile then to heck with 'em!
    Bliss

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  28. Your house looks happy Carlene! I love what you've done with the place :-)

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  29. Carlene, your yard is so beautiful!! Great curb appeal and very welcoming. How did the weekend go with Horticultural committee?

    Cynthia

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  30. Not too busy at all in my opinion! I love the accent color -- really makes things pop. Your perennial garden is stunning!

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  31. You've done a marvelous job and it just keeps looking better and better!

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  32. Love it all Carlene. Gosh, I just wish I had your green thumb. You do such an awesome job on attractive landscaping. I love "junk gardens" too, but thinned some of mine out this year.
    Blessings,
    Audrey Z.

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  33. I bet your neighbors are thrilled having you with your green thumb and attention to "pretty" nearby. The color is gorgeous and of course you know I love the junk!
    Liz

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  34. Simply stunning! Thanks for sharing!

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  35. Wow, your gardens are beautiful, you certainly do have a green thumb. Love your spaces.

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  36. Thanks for sharing your home with us and giving us curb appeal inspiration, I love the colours on your home. I also really liked subway the style art you have having to the left (in your picture) of your front window. It looks very cool, did you buy this or make this?
    Thanks again,
    Becky

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  37. I think this is just a beautiful job--lots of work--but so interesting and eye catching--it's very neat

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