Long-Lasting Layout

Long-Lasting Layout Debbi and Randy Hoffman's 1922 house has all of its original features. They bought it in 1999, and state "other than the arbor and picket fences we included, it looks like it did in the '20s."



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

A Clear View

A Clear View Low banquettes around the table and a wraparound glass railing were used to carry on the water view on this all-white Miami rooftop. "Flameless candles at the lanterns and votives run on a distant so there is no issue with the end," says Sofia Joelsson, proprietor of SoJo Design.



Pop in for your Movies This San Diego penthouse, with its 360-degree views of the bay and ocean, is the perfect spot for film watching. "A display magically appears out of the wall by a hydraulic elevator," says Paul Roberts, director of fine houses at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, "while an authentic pizza oven means you're never go hungry viewing your favourite flicks."



Go Greek This Florida rooftop is reminiscent of something you'd find on the island of Mykonos, with its limestone floor, marble-topped dining table, blue cushioned seating and rock planters filled with bright red flowers. "The best aspect of this penthouse -- past the bathroom, heated Jacuzzi and full kitchen -- has to be the sail-like canopy," says Nancy Batchelor of EWM Realty International, "which is reeled in or out depending upon the direction of sunlight."



Add Living Privacy Weight restrictions on this pre-war construction compelled its New York City homeowners to build an interior shelf inside the two-foot, wall-to-wall planters, necessitating just a foot of soil, states Amber Freda of Amber Freda Home and Garden Design. The containers were then full of hardy plants and flowers including spiral junipers, evergreens, boxwoods, arborvitaes, Alberta spruce, petunias and geraniums.



Chess? Twelve-inch travertine tiles have been painted white and black to make a giant chessboard on this Miami rooftop. "Having something amusing near the bar keeps guests engaged," says Sofia Joelsson, proprietor of SoJo Design. Vinyl chess pieces were full of sand to prevent them from toppling over from the end, while artificial grass was added to the wood trellises on the walls and ottoman to heat up the all-white area click for info. A large rectangular mirror, centered behind the bar, reflects the water views.



Create Indoor-Outdoor Connections The glass-enclosed living room with this oceanfront California home combines seamlessly with the outside rooftop. "Limestone flooring carries through from the inside to the outside to totally integrate the two areas," says Horst Noppenberger of Horst Architects, "while the retractable glass doors open up to create one big space." Also flawless: a gas fireplace pit that is relaxing and pool.



Pick a Pool Stick Up Test your billiards skills while enjoying the mountain views under the enclosed area of this 3,000-square-foot rooftop (the largest in Las Vegas). The custom-built pool table sits close to the rooftop's other notable features: a movie theatre, bedroom, wet bar, pool and hot tub, states Zar Zanganeh of Luxe Estates Collection.



Float to the Edge In designing this particular pool, the California-based homeowner wished to reinforce the idea that it was sitting in the edge of a continent, '' says Horst Noppenberger of Horst Architects. The pool decking is meant to seem like a floating platform, although the limestone floor mirrors the native rock of the coastal setting.



Make Waves Strong pumps in this infinity pool produce a manmade current and also a vigorous workout. Tired of doing laps? Flip a switch and the pool transforms into one large hot tub my site. "With beautiful views of the Boston Public Garden and the Boston Common, it's one of the only real rooftop pools in Boston," notes John Neale of Sprogis & Neale Real Estate.



Gather 'Round the Fire Pit Cannonballs put on black lava stones help circulate the heat with this granite-topped gas fire pit, says Christopher Brandon of Brandon Architects, Inc. "Custom turquoise cushions and a built in, 48-inch television enable guests to watch films under the stars," he states.



Make It Rain Inconspicuous pipes positioned over the pool release water, making a soothing rainfall effect, says Nathaniel Pitchon-Getzels of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices click reference. Red bulbs in the light fixtures provide this Los Angeles rooftop its Hollywood glow . You can even shut the grommet drape panels for additional privacy.



Welcome to Miami Treat yourself to the gorgeous views of downtown Miami while sitting in this rooftop bar discover here. The flooring beneath is illuminated by vibrant LED lighting, giving the space a disco feel, says realtor Janne Keskinen of Kendall Gables Realty. No room in the bar? Grab your drink and visit the nearby fire pit or enjoy a dip in the pool.



Warm Up a Major Space Lots of indoor elements were used to cosy up this 7,000-square-foot Dallas rooftop including a dining table, lounge chairs, barbecue, TVs and even a dishwasher and refrigerator. Overhead pergolas and planters filled with boxwoods also help define and minimize the space, '' says Sofia Joelsson, owner of SoJo Design.



Green With Envy The proprietors of this comfy 800-square-foot rooftop utilized reclaimed bluestone pavers, Ipe wood decking and low-maintenance indigenous plants -- such as grasses, climbing vines, black-eyed Susan and Echinacea -- to make their new york hideaway, says Andrew Franz of Andrew Franz Architect.



Live Outdoors The goal was to design a year-round living space so the homeowners may spend more time enjoying the mountain views, '' states Kyle Tage of Locati Architects. Seating made out of branches and twigs, a stacked rock fireplace, a wrought iron chandelier and an area rug function together to give this particular rooftop a rustic elegance. "Plus, each piece of wood -- the timbers, flooring, mantel and handrail -- were repurposed with the objective of bringing credibility to the space," notes Tage.



Kick Off Your Shoes see. . .And Cook! To maximize storage space, the homeowner stores her footwear behind glass under the rooftop's covered atrium, '' says Christopher Brandon of Brandon Architects, Inc her latest blog. "There's a ladder to access the top shelves" The adjoining full sized kitchen includes a microwave, dishwasher, barbecue, ice maker and fridge with a designated spot for wine. The little man? "A knife holder," notes Brandon.



Cozy Up to the Tavern The homeowner wanted to create an intimate corner where guests may enjoy cocktails and watch films with this Miami rooftop, states Sofia Joelsson, owner of SoJo Design Resources. The artificial wicker and galvanized aluminum stools and pub are made to withstand salt air and high winds, while hibiscus trees from black planters offer privacy.



Get Cooking The full-service kitchen makes it easy to pull off parties on this Chicago rooftop Look At This. It includes a sink, refrigerator, commercial grill, ice manufacturer and self-serve drink center. A TV centered on the wall allows the homeowners and their guests to capture their favorite sports without even leaving the roofing, says designer Vanessa Slivinski of Chicago Roof Deck and Garden.



Party Over the Garage To extend their home's living space, this Chicago family decorated their own garage rooftop with furnishings generally found inside: drapes, classic ceiling fans, upholstered furniture and a pub (with keggorator!) . "The granite-topped gas fire pit, along with ambient sconce lighting, makes this an inviting family hangout," says designer Vanessa Slivinski of Chicago Roof Deck and Garden.



Chill from the Fountain Water flows from six spouts and into a basin where it's upcycled, says designer Vanessa Slivinski of Chicago Roof Deck and Garden. Glass lanterns and fiberglass planters dress up the rooftop's fountain, even though a TV plays movies and videos More about the author. The custom made concrete fire pit was designed to rival the waterfall's zinc patina finish, adds Silvinski.



Swing In the Treetops You have the feeling you are floating in the atmosphere, says Leslie Piper, customer home pro for Realtor.com advice. An artist's representation of this yet-to-be constructed penthouse rooftop overlooking Central Park in New York City displays amenities like a stainless steel table with seating for ten, a complete kitchen, bar and fire pit find out more helpful hints. (The flat might be yours for $60 million, but the rooftop build-out is sadly not included.)