Improving Curb Appeal through Landscape

As we discuss the different aspects of curb appeal, generally the focus is on the house and the accents that can be added to boost the value and appearance of your home. Landscaping is an important feature that shouldn’t be overlooked when evaluating the appeal. An article posted on HouseLogic.com by Pat Curry discusses several areas of the landscaping design and elements that can contribute to an improved curb appeal and value. Several categories should be focused on when beginning to landscape your home, remember a poorly maintained landscape can be as much as a 5 to 10% deduction in home value.

1.       Green up the grass - If your house has a front yard, make sure it's neat and green. You don't want bare spots, sprawling weeds, or an untrimmed appearance. Weather it is just going to your local hardware store and fertilizing the yard every six weeks or maybe you need to invent in some sod if you have a scruffy lawn, doing your own labor can be another alternative that is not too costly. Depending on the area in which you live, turf grass is becoming more popular due to its low maintenance and durable materials.

2.       Add colorful planting beds-Flower beds add color and help enliven otherwise plain areas, such as along driveways and the edges of walkways. In general, annual flowers are a bit cheaper but must be replaced every year. Perennials cost a bit more but come back annually and usually get larger or spread with each growing season. If you're not sure what to plant, inquire at your local garden center. Often, they'll have a display of bedding plants chosen for their adaptability to your area.



3.       Add landscape lighting- For homeowners who have made a sizeable investment in landscaping, it makes sense to think about adding another 10% to 15% to the bill for professional lighting. Those looking to purchase a home do not always look in the middle of the day, once it reaches dusk having some lights can really help with the homes appeal. The cost of a system runs from $200 for a DIY installation to more than $4,000 for a professional job. If you're doing it on your own, the key is to light what you want people to see, such as mature trees and flowering shrubs.

4.       Plant a tree- The value of mature trees is particularly difficult to determine. In a relatively average market, mature trees contribute as much as 10% of a $100,000 property's overall value. In addition, a properly placed shade tree can shave as much as $32 a year on your energy bills. Expect to pay $50 to $100 for a young, 6- to 7-foot deciduous tree. You can make your own initial assessment of the value of your property's trees by visiting the National Tree Benefit Calculator (http://www.treebenefits.com/calculator/index.cfm). For example, a mature Southern red oak tree with a diameter of 36 inches in the front yard of a house in Augusta, Ga., would add $70 to the property value this year, according to the calculator.

These are just four key areas to give some extra attention to when evaluating the curb appeal of your home and determining what aspects to invest in. Keep in mind the importance of curb appeal and when a potential home buyer sees your house, this will be the first impression and may even determine if they end up calling a realtor for a look inside.

Source
http://www.kingsmillrealestate.com/articles/?article=19

Glass Bottle Sculpture

With the summer finally over and the cooler weather rapidly upon us, I find the outside of my house losing some of its curb appeal due to the flowers dying off and the leaves on the trees beginning to fall. My wife and I were away on our honeymoon to come back to our house that seemed so dull and lacked the color that was previously there due to bare flower pots lining the front of our entry way. As we looked at different products or ideas to increase the curb appeal and bring back the color, we came across a simple and rather cheap DIY project. Not only could this project be done in a short time frame but we already had half of the materials which would cut the cost even more. Rather than storing the flower pots away in the garage, we kept the leaves and soil in them and began to collect glass bottles for our new plant sculptures!

Materials Needed for Project:

·       Colorful Glass Bottles

·       Bamboo Stakes

Step-By-Step:

1.    Collect colorful bottles and peel off the labels. If there is residue on the bottles from the labels, use Goo Gone to remove any remaining sticky adhesive. Thoroughly wash the outside and inside of the bottles with warm soap and water.

2.    Place the bamboo stakes in the flower pots or beds however you want them configured to appeal to your liking. (Remember to put the stakes far enough in the ground to hold up the glass bottles.)

3.    Carefully, place the glass bottles upside down on the bamboo stakes.

Within no time you have transformed your dull and empty flower pots into a new work of art. The color will help boost the curb appeal and make your home stand out from the rest as they lose the flowers that once lined the front of their home. Have fun with this and try different color bottles or use all the same color; the options with this project are endless!

Source

http://www.diyideas.com/quickprojects/Outdoors/outdoorprojects_ss3.html

Curb Appeal Idea Source – SkyMall??

I have been flying both domestic and international flights for the better part of 30 years.  Throughout that time (or at least for a large part of it) a constant companion has been the in-flight catalog SkYMall®.  I have probably flipped through the SkYMall catalog a thousand times or more over the years with some sense of comprehension for what it provides.  Unique and interesting products and gifts not readily available through traditional sales channels, more or less.  I have always thought the products promoted were interesting; however, I never categorized them myself into market segments other than unique and interesting.  Since my move into marketing for Coach House Accents™ I’m now forced to look at product sources such as SkYMall with a more discerning eye.

The Outdoor Living section of SkYMall has many unique and affordable ideas that will enhance the curb appeal of your home.  Address plaques, mailboxes, privacy screens and planters are just a few available that add real appeal to a home.  And yes, you can find items for your garage here as well (call this a minor plug).

The most interesting product I ran across is the Woven Self-watering Planter.  I like these for two reasons:

1.       Flowers properly placed on your porch, porch steps and in front of you garage add a great deal to the initial impression your home makes on a prospective buyer (or your neighbor).

2.       Maintaining flowers is time consuming especially if both you and your spouse work.

This is how these planters are described on SkyMall:

Self-watering planter takes the effort out of growing beautiful, healthy plants.

Our Woven Self-watering Planter does so much more than just look good in your outdoor setting. This smart outdoor planter makes it easy for you to grow beautiful, healthy plants all season long.

·         Hidden reservoir holds water until your plants need it

·         Properly waters plants for up to 12 weeks

·         Sub-irrigation system controls moisture balance and prevents waterlog

·         All-weather wicker is UV-resistant

·         Removable liner makes seasonal plant changes quick and easy

·         Attached water meter indicates when it's time to refill  

To view more ideas for your home visit www.skymall.com click on the Outdoor Living tab.

Remember to listen to our interview with the Cajun Contractor on Home Talk USA on October 29^th at 10:00am central time.  Live streaming at www.hometalkusa.com

DIY: Go ahead and ask for ideas; it all about the conversation!

I wanted to highlight a conversation I had with Linde who contacted me through our face book page. The key to this exchange is not my ideas or what comes from them but rather it is about reaching out to a community to see what might be possible to improve the curb appeal of my home.

From Linde:  Tim. Thank you for calling me, I was helping a client.  I have attached a photo of my home.  I have recently put on new roof, gutters shutters and lighting, as well as painted the lower part a taupe. The accents are in a dark bronze (lamps, and gutters) I have no idea how to paint or what to do with it to add some pizzazz.  I noticed the window enhancements you offer are for other style garage doors where the windows are higher.  What Ideas do you have for making the house pop with some character?  I don’t like the big lamp above the front door it looks pretty plain.  Also the front screen door, not sure what color to paint it as well.    

From Tim:  Linde,

Here are our thoughts based on what we see regarding curb appeal ideas.

1. The large evergreen is overpowering for the house and draws away from other key elements like the trim, etc. Would you consider replacing that and putting in an area with lower profile, hearty plants?

2. You have 2 colors that stand out with contrast; the front door which looks like a maroon in the photo and the beige paint you have around it.

Both stand out and provide great contrast but.....

3. The balance of the trim is black and also provides a contrast but is not in harmony from our take with the front door area.

4. We would love to see you paint the shutters in a beige color as you did the front door area. Contrast but softens the lines of the home.

5. Continue with a brass or bronze theme with all of your trim pieces for lighting. (Picks up the earth tones in the brick you have and great contrast with white.

6. Your garage door if open to replacement would look great in a Clopay long panel Gallery series door with insulation. (I know Lincoln has got to be cold for a few months). Use their Sandstone color and match your shudders, etc with that color.

7. I noticed you have blinds in the garage door so how important is light to you in the garage door? You could use our overlays on the gallery door top panel if light is not an issue but curb appeal is.

8. Top off the look of the garage door with our Bronze signature set of hardware to finish the look.

I really had a gut feeling that the front door color would look great on your shutters and pewter finish on lighting fixtures would tie in great to your roof and gutter system that are black. Might be a bit bold but I offer it up as an idea. If you prefer that idea go with a white door and our pewter finish on decorative hardware for the garage.

I have included some close up images of Bronze and Pewter in our offerings so you can shop for products with true metal finish qualities as you move forward with your proj

What ever you decide to complete be comfortable with how you view your home when you pull in everyday.

Let us know what you decide and on behalf of the Coach House Accents team we appreciate the opportunity to be a part of your curb appeal improvement process.

Best Regards,

Tim

From Linds:  Tim, I have not yet read your email through, but just to tell you thank you for all the research upfront!  Wow.  Clarify that the trim, shutters and gutters are in a deep espresso brown, and does look like that more so than black.  The lower house color is a very complimentary taupe and

The roof color is the mix of the two.  Does that help clarify?  

I want to thank Linde for letting me post our dialogue on today’s blog as an example of how ideas and eventually DIY projects get done with the outcome we truly love. What suggestions might you have to share? I look forward to seeing the progress Linde makes on here great home.

DIY Resources for Women

Tim, Scott and I now have over a month into our blog which we sincerely hope you are enjoying.  Of the 18 or so posts we’ve completed this post will make the 7^th that is meant to assist women in completing do-it-yourself projects around the home.  (Authors note:  We will from time to time deviate off the DIY theme to cover women’s issues that are either timely or where providing another avenue to get the message out simply makes sense.  An example of which is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month coming in October.)  What I have found in researching this topic is the general lack of specific resources or the many attempts of advertisers to hijack the topic to direct women to another product.  Not good.  In today’s post I will provide a simple list of resources including websites, blogs and forums that women can use to:

·         Get specific information for completing a project.

·         Get general tips to become more familiar with home repair projects.

·         Converse with other like minded DIY practitioners.

This is not meant to be an all inclusive discourse on the subject but more a simple starting point list from which you, the reader, can expand upon.

www.DIYHipChicks.com

www.Planitdiy.com

www.Homefixated.com

www.Barbarak.com

www.Prettyhandygirl.com

www.Hgtv.com

www.Diynetwork.com

www.Diychatroom.com

www.Doityourself.com/forum

www.Houserepairtalk.com

You can also listen to the live stream the Cajun Contractor at www.hometalkusa.com

Full Disclosure:  Coach House Accents is a vendor partner for the NHRA which runs the Planitdiy website.  We are also scheduled to b e interviewed live on October 29^th at 10:00 by the Cajun Contractor.   All other website are sources that we have used in developing our blog posts.

Remember, our topic schedule is:

·         Monday:          Curb Appeal

·         Wednesday:    All Things Women

·         Friday:             DIY

If there is a specific topic you would like to see us report on please let us know.

Thanks

Key Areas for Improving Curb Appeal

Lowe’s has an extension of their website that is inspired by creative ideas for the home and garden. In one of their projects they took a homeowner who wanted to improve the outside curb appeal of their home, the group honed in on the key aspects that would enhance the appearance and look of the home. The focal points were outlined in a problem and then solution basis to show needed improvements and then how to enhance the appeal. A few examples of the listed improvements needed to the home consisted of:

Arbor Pathway

Problem: No clear walkway linked the front and back yards, and the grass was worn down in places from foot traffic.

Solution: Stepping-stones define a path to the backyard and add visual interest to the large expanse of grass. An arbor creates an architectural connection between the front and back of the house, and a jasmine canopy adds color and fragrance.

Mailbox

Problem: The wall-mounted mailbox was too small to hold large amounts of mail. Plus the street address was hidden, making the house hard to identify.

Solution: A larger, freestanding mailbox is accessible from the street. It prominently displays the address numbers and holds a lockbox that keeps mail secure.

Door Updates

Problem: The garage and front entry doors needed updating to become more energy efficient.

Solution: A new Craftsman-inspired entry door and a carriage-house garage door give this fifties-era house a more traditional style, with the comfort of modern technology. New door hardware and a doorbell provide added security for the homeowner.

If you are looking to not only enhance the curb appeal of your home but also to boost the value, go though and evaluate your house and see what might need some work or even simple fixes to modernize your home. It doesn’t necessarily have to cost a lot of money to transform your home from a boring and unappealing first impression into a stunning home.

Source:
http://www.lowescreativeideas.com/idea-library/projects/curb_appeal_project_0308.aspx

Simple Deck Repair

With the approach of fall (then the dreaded winter) it’s high-time to go outside and look over your deck to insure it’s ready to withstand the coming changes in weather.  Heating and cooling, freezing and thawing, snow and ice all take a toll.  I found a very interesting piece on simple deck repair at www.howstuffworks.com  posted back in 2006 by Fix-it Club that will assist you in making sure your deck is properly prepared. 

A deck or porch can be a great spot for peace and tranquility. Caring for a deck, on the other hand, can be a nightmare. Decks are, obviously, constantly exposed to the elements, and can show signs of weathering even days after they are constructed. Most deck fixes that can be tackled by a do-it-yourselfer involve cleaning and routine maintenance. Here are just a few pointers:

Deck-Repair Tips

·         Inspect your deck frequently for popped nails and loose railings or boards. Remove and replace any nails that have popped with coated screws, and immediately repair or replace loose railings to avoid hazards.

·         To clean everyday dirt from a wood deck, use a mild household detergent in water to wash it. Rinse thoroughly.

·         Use mineral spirits to remove stains caused by tree sap. Rinse thoroughly.

·         To remove mildew, wash the deck with a bleach and water solution (1 cup bleach to 1 gallon warm water). Flush the area with water and allow it to dry. Commercial brighteners are also available; follow the manufacturer's instructions. If mildew is a continued problem, you probably have too much shade on your deck. Check to see if you can trim some tree branches or bushes to expose more of the deck to the sun's drying effects.

·         Deck stains make routine cleanup much easier and preserve the life of the wood. Apply stains specially formulated for decks immediately over new wood, except for pressure-treated lumber, which should age for six months before being stained. The deck will benefit from a new coat of stain every one to two years (be sure the stain contains commercial sealant). Follow the manufacturer's instructions for applying the stain. If your deck has been painted, you will have to remove the paint before a stain can be applied.

·         Avoid applying clear finishes, such as varnish or shellac, to wood decks. They don't withstand sun and moisture, and they must be removed if they start to peel.

Replacing Damaged Deck Flooring

The deck floor may be the first thing to go. When deck flooring breaks or wears out, more than the looks of the deck are involved. A weak spot in the floor is dangerous and can lead to further damage. Unless the whole floor is weakened, you can easily replace the damaged boards.

Deck flooring is nailed directly to the joists of the framing. To repair damaged deck flooring:

Step 1: Look at the boards to see where the joists are, indicated by a line of nails along each joist. Using a carpenters' square, draw an outline around the damaged area from board edge to board edge, from the inside of a joist to the inside of another joist. If the boards are damaged where they cross a joist, draw the outline out to the joists on either side of the damaged area. The boards in this outlined area will need to be replaced.

Step 2: Bore a hole inside two diagonally opposite corners of the outline, using a 3/4-inch bit. Position each hole so that it touches the marked outline on both sides but does not touch the sound boards outside the repair area.

Step 3: Cut across the damaged boards from hole to hole. You should have to cut only across the boards; the long edges are joined by tongue-and-groove edges and should pull apart. Carefully pry out the damaged boards with a pry bar. At the outside board edges, be very careful not to damage the tongue or the groove of the sound board outside the outline. You may have to use a chisel to remove the last pieces of the old boards.

Step 4: Cut new tongue-and-groove flooring strips the same width and thickness as the old ones, to replace the old ones. Test them for fit in the opening; they should fit exactly in the gap left by the old boards. On the last board, you'll have to cut off the bottom part of the groove to make the board fit flat. Cut the groove piece off with a hammer and a sharp chisel, being careful not to damage the rest of the board. Then sand the raw surface lightly.

Step 5: Brace the boards at each end by installing 2X4 cleats along the inside faces of the joists at the sides of the hole. Cut a piece of 2X4 as long as the hole for each joist. Paint all of the patching materials with wood preservative before installation, covering all surfaces. Let the preservative dry as directed, then nail the 2X4 cleats flat to the side joists, with their top edges exactly flush.

Step 6: If the old boards were rotten, you should take steps to prevent further decay. Cover the ground under the porch with heavy plastic, lapping the plastic about six inches up at the sides. Set a few stones or bricks on the plastic to hold it in place. For the most effective rot prevention, paint all exposed wood under the porch with a coat of wood preservative. These preventive measures will keep your porch strong and healthy for years to come.

Step 7: With the cleats in place, set the new floorboards into the opening, one by one, with their ends resting on the cleats along the joists. Set the first board in tongue first, and insert each board to lock its tongue into the groove of the previous board. Nail each end of each board to the cleat with two or three 16d finishing nails. At the last board, lock the tongue in and set the groove side flat over the tongue of the adjoining board. It won't lock to the joining board, but with the bottom of the groove removed, it will fit into place. When all the nails are in place, countersink them with a nail set, and fill the cracks and cover the nail heads with water putty. Do not use wood plastic; it isn't strong enough. Water putty dries rock-hard.

Step 8: To finish the job, let the water putty dry and then sand the patch lightly. Paint the patched area with a primer coat of porch and floor enamel, and let the paint dry. Then repaint the porch as needed.

If you want to spend your weekends lounging on your deck -- instead of sanding and applying varnish -- follow these simple guidelines to keep your deck looking beautiful.

 You can find additional DIY project support at www.bejane.com, www.planitdiy.com www.diyhipchicks.com, and www.homefixated.com.  You can also listen to Michael King the Cajun Contractor at Home Talk USA by visiting www.hometalkusa.com