Dear Homework,
We recently moved into this house and want to give it a face-lift with new siding, a colorful front door and new landscaping. The exposure is south, so we want to keep the tree for summer shade. However, that creates grass-growing problems. Any suggestions to charm up our home would be greatly appreciated.
— Plain Jane

hmk-beforeDear Plain Jane,
I’m glad you want to make improvements—I think you’ll need to take things a bit further if you are going to achieve Cinderella-type transformations. The architecture of the house, with its prominent garage door, hidden corner entry and smaller-than-normal windows, won’t be easily improved without more intensive measures.

You will observe that a new carriage-style door, gable-end window and corner lantern have given the garage projection some more architectural detail. A new columned front porch and more prominent front doorcase help make the entry stand out. A first-floor window box, a second-floor set of French doors, and a Juliet balcony all round out the architectural improvements.

To deal with the grass-growing problem, I show creating an undulating bed of Baltic ivy, connecting the various plantings. Upright evergreens frame the house and block the neighbors. Flowers and ornamental grasses add charm. I think your home is a Plain Jane no longer … hope you do, too.

Thanks for asking,
Homework

Homework is penned by Paul Doerner, founding partner of The Lawrence Group. If you would like your home critiqued, contact us at homework@townandstyle.com.