Even though I don't own our home, I know the importance of curb appeal (in my case, for my own enjoyment). As a matter of fact, I just completed a patio upgrade by giving the door frame a new coat of paint, installing a hanging planter and affixing shiny brass address numbers so my unit is easy to spot.
Torie and company fell in love with their house and its location (but the exterior left little to be desired). For the makeover they went with white walls, trim and a pale green hue painted on the shutters and front door. It was just their luck that they were able to relocate the storm drain (aka a huge eyesore) to the back of the house. The couple also had to replace the original wood fence which had started to rot. Opting to keep the wrought iron gate, both got fresh coats of paint. You can read more about the trials and tribulations of Torie's before and after transformation here.
Images: Torie Jayne
10 No-Fail Decor Tricks & Tips for Small Spaces
Beth's Romantic & Retro Residence
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Shaw's Original Fir...
How to Bake a Potato: Three Easy Methods
How To Cook Tender, Chewy Wheat Berries on the Stovetop
I like it. It seems much more inviting now and that pale blue color is just lovely.
very nice!
Hmm I liked the original brick work (if it was brick at all). But the shutters are a nice touch.
landlord was ok with you making the changes? or did i just read it wrong that you didn't own the place?
Where is this? Somewhere in Ireland? I looked at her website but couldn't find the info there either.
Personally I find the green a little inspid. A blue or a blue-green might have been warmer, or a brighter green used sparingly on some of the trim to give the first green more depth.
Still, the white and green combo is a vast improvement over the old facade. Pebbledash is wretched. And the wisteria (?) that they've planted will eventually make this place look absolutely charming.
From dark and dingy to crisp and clean. Good for you...nice!
@aprilheartsaaron.... i don't see anywhere that it says they rent? If you read the piece properly the author is saying SHE rents, as a segue-way of sorts to the actual story.
I really like the end result, but it is definitely helped by the fact that next door appears to have had a fresh coat of paint too!!
Were the shutters removed for the before photo, or are they new? Either way, great addition!
We did a very similar thing, plus outside lights and planted box in the pathway, very good looking now.
If you live in an up and coming area it's worth getting the pebbledash removed and repointed, it's an amazing difference, can add £10k to a house in some locations.
I follow Torie Jaynes blog, I believe the house is in England and its possible that she is American by the way she writes, but I dont know that for sure. I think its a great improvement on the before picture, although I have a very similar gate and would have changed that to a picket fence type gate like the fencing.
Stunning! Very nicely done!
This looks lovely, but I can't make out any shiny brass house number....??? Is it that teeny tiny thing on the door? Maybe the postman can see it if he's on foot...
That's not brick, that's hideous pebbledash!! Definitely looks like a Brit house. I rent so I wouldn't bother doing anything with the front of our (very boring looking) white rendered mid-terrace house with black front door. I covet the house just round the corner - exactly the same as our house but painted yellow with a pink door and lots of lovely colourful flowers in the front garden. It just looks like such a happy place.
@jprich... can't emphasise enough. The first portion about the article is about the AUTHOR not the subject of the post. Honestly, people just don't read these days.
Wait... left LITTLE to be desired? I think you meant it left A little to be desired... surely...
Blandwagon, I hope that's wisteria... if the blooms are violet they will really make the green paint work, I think.
Beautiful!
A big improvement! This place looks very European..in the UK?
Dash that hideous pebbledash! ;)