Curved Walkway Dark red brick ties in with the house's chimney and gives the front lawn a clean, classic look. A lush flower bed bordering only one facet of this walkway makes it feel much less formal.
Over-the-Door Arbor Mounted in the front of this door, a simple arbor draped with 'Cecile Brunner' climbing roses provides a cottagey touch. Garden Treasures 51"W x 26"D 88 3/5"H resin semigloss snowy New England garden arbor, $200, lowes.com
Flower Beds Spanish lavender and daffodils lend color to the green and white landscape. A camellia tree at the far right mattress blossoms fall through spring.
Paint Colors Siding: Agate Green by Dunn-Edwards; Trim: Swiss Coffee by Dunn-Edwards; Shutters and front door: Black by Dunn-Edwards
Ficus Tree Trimmed into a round shape, this tall tree adds an element of grandeur to the entrance. In cooler areas, ficus trees are usually stored indoors as houseplants, but they flourish outdoors in the warm California climate.
Roofline A steeply pitched gable has the expansive feel of Tudor-style architecture get more. The roofline allows for 2 drop dormers, which bulge from the roof, on the left click to find out more. Their multipane design mimics the windows on the house's remainder.
Shingle Siding The Hoffmans love the hot, weathered wood-shingle siding, even though it requires more upkeep than brick or stucco, since it's prone to mould and chipping paint More hints. Northwoods single 9" staggered rough-split shakes in sterling grey, $2.50 per square foot, certainteed.com for stores
True Craftsman Carrie and Eric Ancker bought their 1911 home a century after it was originally built, but you'd never know from its preserved exterior image source. "One of our first projects was swapping front entrance," they say More about the author see page. "It captures the home's Craftsman design, but the color is a sudden twist."
Mailbox With its rugged appearance and hand-wrought metalwork, this antique-finish mailbox, to the remaining doorway, remains true to the house's Craftsman bungalow architecture Web Site. Harmon 17 1/8"-tall solid brass mailbox in burnished antique, $399, rejuvenation.com
Bench and Pillows The front porch means there is plenty of room to get a two-seater Adirondack bench cushioned with all-weather pillows. Polywood recycled plastic Adirondack seat, $500, hayneedle.com; strong exterior 16" x 16" cushion in crimson, $29, and geometric outdoor 16" x 16" cushion in blue, $25, both grandinroad.com
Flower Beds An all-white scheme always looks fresh Check This Out. The porch is flanked by beds filled with 'Crown White' pansies, left, and baby 'Iceberg' increased shrubs, both of which bloom from spring into fall.
Porch Light Hanging into the right of front doorway, this tiny mission-style porch lighting is actually bright enough to light up the whole seating area.
Paint Colors Siding: Gray Pearl from Dunn-Edwards; Trim: White by Dunn-Edwards; Front door: Captivating by Pratt & Lambert
Front Door A doorway with divided-lite dividers (this one has nine) is quintessential Craftsman. Simpson Bungalow Series exterior wood door, from $700, dykeslumber.com
Railings Less is more for this front porch rail . It's painted crisp white to match the trim, and the very simple wood design echoes the front door's geometric multipane window.
Potted Plant A bright red planter is poppier with white cyclamen, a perennial that grows in several climates. Self-watering 17" rolling planter in crimson, $45, gardeners.com
Classic Colonial Michele and Michael Downing bought their 1923 home in 1999, but painted their front door a cool shade of cranberry a few years ago. "It seems classic, just like the home's Colonial design," they state.
Pediments Over Windows Produced from high-density urethane (aka foam), this cosmetic topper won't twist or crack. Half round sunburst 40" x 20" window pediment, $79, architecturaldepot.com
Camellia Shrub This pretty shrub, in the far right of this flower bed, blooms vivid fuchsia flowers from early autumn to late spring.
Brass Door Hardware A gleaming email slot and knocker add gloss into the front doorway and keep together with the house's Colonial style. Brass accents solid brass letter email slot with interior flap in polished brass, $30.50, build.com; Colonial knocker in life polished brass, $74, baldwinhardware.com for stores
Flower Beds Crimson cyclamen edge the beds. They're offset by white cyclamen and 'Iceberg' roses, which give off a mild, sweet scent.
Columns The painted wood columns, that are original to the house, make it look stately and dramatic. But they are functional, too: They support the portico.
Planter Understated cement planters maintain juniper topiariesthat stay green year round page. Smith & Hawken 18" x 18" reinforced concrete Danford outdoor square planter, $130, target.com
Paint Colors Siding: Bunglehouse Gray by Sherwin-Williams; Trim: Swiss Coffee by Dunn-Edwards; Shutters: Dark by Fine Paints of Europe; Front door: Rembrandt Red by Fine Paints of Europe
Doormat This scrolling design looks fancy, but it's made from rubber, which may handle dirt equally as well as coir can basics. Rubber-Cal Genoa 18" x 30" decorative cast iron rubber doormat, $29, overstock.com
Easy and Elegant Homeowners Roma and Terry Kiser bought their 1923 California house in 1972 my site. They say, "the tumbled stone path, which we included about three years ago, gives our stucco house so much more personality."
Vine Over Doorway A 'Cecile Brunner' climbing rose no longer requires assistance more information. After years, it is trained to scale over the door.
Flowerpots Round terra-cotta planters are filled up with light pink and fuchsia azaleas. Bacopa a trailing plant with tiny white blossoms, fills in the spaces between the stems useful content. Umbria 11 1/2" x 21" Concrete and cement bowl, $99, potterybarn.com
Front Door With its arched top and wealthy stain, the front door could be the entrance to a country cabin. Round top entrance door using V-groove panel $1,995, nicksbuilding.com
Post Lamp An old-fashioned fixture also contemporary path lights equals light that is both charming and practical. Capital Lighting Fixture Company Brookwood black outdoor place, $192, lamp, $210, both bellacor.com
Roof Shingles The roof is topped with cedar shakes. Not only can they last upward of 30 years, but they also withstand wind damage and have a textured look that increases the home's rustic appeal.
Pavers Tumbled stone in different colors creates the front walkway look like it is original to the house. City Stone III Parkway Series pavers, $2.50 per square foot, pavestone.com for stores
Paint Colors Stucco: Valley Forge Tan by Benjamin Moore; Trim: Glacier White by Benjamin Moore; Shutters: Smoky Mountain by Benjamin Moore
