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Curb Appeal

Happy Monday — how was your weekend? Ours was pretty soggy, but we had a few breaks in the clouds and were able to get outside. After the long Winter, our front porch was left looking pretty forlorn and uninviting. (I know those of you who live north of Oklahoma are scoffing at my idea of Winter.) We cleaned things up and brought back new life. These are Kimberly Queen ferns, which I’m loving because they stand so nice and tall. No one likes a frumpy, stocky fern. And according to my aunt, this breed doesn’t shed either.

5

The other necessary spruce-up was replacing the mat. Remember the poo Mr. Pumpkin King left behind? (That project series is the perfect example of blogger-insanity!)

100_2993

I found this great one at Ballard Designs. I decided against knocking it off like I did this Ballard project since the size was perfect, and they offered free monogramming!

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Some of the reviews online complain about the faded color, but I think it looks more natural that way. And it’s really soft on your bare feet, unlike most coir mats.

front porch

You can read about the doors and light fixture update from last Summer here.

3

I think this is the first semi-wide-angle shot I’ve shown of our house. The bay window on the left is the Dining Room, and the one on the right is my Son’s Room. I blurred the house numbers so you freaks don’t come over and git yer freak on! The ferns and monogram give the porch a big ole Southern welcome feel.

front door

Much better, now I’m ready to properly welcome the pizza guy. Have you been sprucing up your outdoor spaces?

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  1. Chassity (Look Linger Love) says: May 23, 2011 at 12:20 pm

    Gorgeous! Love the bit about the freaks.

    Reply
  2. Lili says: May 23, 2011 at 12:27 pm

    LOVE your red doors!

    Reply
  3. jandjhome says: May 23, 2011 at 12:27 pm

    Looks great! My house needs some major curb appeal. You are inspiring me.

    Reply
  4. Megan {Honey We're Home} says: May 23, 2011 at 12:57 pm

    I'll be there tomorrow! Love the changes- and how great that the mat is soft! I love a monogram:)

    Reply
  5. The Sister Sophisticate says: May 23, 2011 at 1:04 pm

    I love double door entries. Love the ferns in the blue and white pots! Beautiful curb appeal.

    Reply
  6. lisaroyhandbags says: May 23, 2011 at 1:42 pm

    So are you calling me a freakin stalker?? 🙂
    Love your new mat xo

    Reply
  7. Sarah @ Cozy.Cottage.Cute. says: May 23, 2011 at 2:01 pm

    Very inviting!! I think the mat looks perfect. 🙂

    Reply
  8. natasha {schue love} says: May 23, 2011 at 2:12 pm

    Love the new look! The blue and white pots are just lovely! Also think the mat is perfect…I need to update ours!

    Reply
  9. Lauren says: May 23, 2011 at 2:43 pm

    Beautiful! I kill every fern that has the misfortune to sit on my porch, so I'm always jealous of people with beautiful, thriving ones. Looks great!

    Reply
  10. Courtney {a thoughtful place} says: May 23, 2011 at 3:12 pm

    I am feeling slightly offended that you don't want us all at the front door today! House looks beautiful. I love the pots the ferns are in as well. I have always wanted a red front door. Pretty pretty!

    Reply
  11. Kim @ keller-creative says: May 23, 2011 at 3:57 pm

    I love the blue and white pots you put the ferns in. Looks great!

    Reply
  12. Brittany {Gallery No. Eight} says: May 23, 2011 at 4:13 pm

    It looks great!! Love the big ferns!

    Reply
  13. Holli says: May 23, 2011 at 5:30 pm

    I love your doors! Very pretty!

    Reply
  14. Michaela says: May 23, 2011 at 5:53 pm

    It's so cute and inviting! I've always loved your red door (:

    Reply
  15. Aubrey {All Things Bright and Beautiful} says: May 23, 2011 at 10:52 pm

    Good call on the blurring your number, you never know when I might get the wild hair to come egg someone's house…(c: Those ferns are the perfect touch to the entry, you are right, that is some curb appeal!

    Reply
  16. LindsB says: May 23, 2011 at 10:53 pm

    I need a new welcome mat so bad, I think you just inspired me to finally go get a new one!

    Reply
  17. Carmel @ Our Fifth House says: May 23, 2011 at 11:40 pm

    I LOVE the red door with the blue and white pots – gorgeous color combo – my favorite! I need some of those same ferns for my front door. Every time I get my "yard work" clothes on it starts pouring down rain, and I'm forced to sit on the couch with a glass of wine! It's a tough life but somebody has to live it 😉

    Reply
  18. Allison says: May 24, 2011 at 1:00 am

    You have wonderful curb appeal! Love those red doors and your new ferns. It's very inviting!

    Reply
  19. Miranda says: May 24, 2011 at 1:07 am

    Hi! I love the color of the door to your house! Your blog is fantastic so I've nominated you for the Stylish Blogger Award. When you have a moment, please visit my blog under the post of the same name for details. There is no rush, but I just wanted to let you know 🙂

    Reply
  20. Ali Richardson says: May 24, 2011 at 1:40 am

    Gorgeous! Your house is a beauty! My outdoor space currently leaves MUCH to be desired. Grrrr.

    Reply
  21. Simply LKJ says: May 24, 2011 at 10:49 am

    Love the blue and white pots Cassie! They really pop against your front doors. Love ferns too, good to know those don't shed as much.

    Reply
  22. Staci Edwards says: May 24, 2011 at 11:38 am

    I have a red front door too – love the red!

    Reply
  23. Shanna says: May 24, 2011 at 11:18 pm

    Oh wow! I just posted on my blog today that I'm looking for the perfect glossy red for my new front door (when we move in June). Do you recall the paint color of your door? I love it!

    Reply
  24. christine, just bella says: May 25, 2011 at 1:46 am

    I love your door!! Our last house had a red door and I kinda miss it. The new monogrammed rug looks fab!

    Reply
  25. Drew {Coral Cafe} says: May 25, 2011 at 12:13 pm

    Loooving those red doors!! What an appearance!!

    Reply
  26. Denise says: June 19, 2011 at 2:02 pm

    the ferns are fabulous!

    i love everything about your entry.

    now i need to unblur the numbers, and search "F" with your numbers. heh. just kidding!

    Reply

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Curb Appeal

Even in the midst of one project, my psycho brain is already thinking about the next one. I was elbow deep in painting my interior front door black (you can read about it here. Fascinating stuff. Really.), when I realized the outside of the door was in desperate need of attention too! And like a jealous sibling, she started whining until I spiffed up her side as well.

We started with this:

front door before 1

Beautiful double doors hidden behind large storm doors. We ripped those out before moving in (who cares about insulation when it’s ugly?!), and were left with this:

front door before 2

An astronaut popped in while I was taking the picture. Don’t you hate when that happens?!? You can’t tell much by my awesome photography, but the door was a flat paint that had lost all it’s mojo. It had a chalky finish that looked like it needed to be washed. And the dated kick plates weren’t helping matters much. (I’m forced to use these random shots because I forgot to take ‘Before’ photos again!! bad blogger!)

After taking the brass plates off, and a few coats of a brighter red exterior paint in semi-gloss, we were left with this:

almost

MUCH better! But you’re still looking at this, aren’t you??

old light fixture

I could have spray painted that brass back to the 80’s (like I did here), but I didn’t like the shape of the fixture. So after Mr. Sugarplum finally replaced it, I freshened up the trim and added a couple of ferns, we had this:

after

A little Windex helped matters too.

final

I don’t know why one fern looks like Sarah, Plain and Tall…and the other like Danny DeVito…but it annoys me. Oh well, it’ll be dead soon enough. So now, both sides of my door are happy, and I’m on to the next project! Have you made any simple changes to increase your curb appeal? We like quick, cheap upgrades around here, so do share!


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  1. Rynolicious says: June 15, 2010 at 9:47 pm

    freaking chicks…..

    Reply
  2. christine says: June 15, 2010 at 9:48 pm

    Looks great, I love a red door (or two in this case!)

    p.s. I hate it when astronauts jump into my photos! so cute ; )

    Reply
  3. Anonymous says: June 17, 2010 at 3:59 am

    Your TLC and terrific taste made a huge difference in your entry – love the replacement light fixture (and the cutie pie astronaut!) Ali

    Reply
  4. Something Nice and Pretty says: September 21, 2010 at 4:42 pm

    I'm on my way to the back porch to get two ferns and put them out front…love the job you did on the doors!

    Reply
  5. Karen says: September 21, 2010 at 11:36 pm

    I love your front doors! Just dropping by from the party.
    Karen

    Reply
  6. Sue says: September 22, 2010 at 2:14 pm

    The classic red front door- or in your case- doors! Love the color and the 3/4 window opening. Your ferns set it off just perfectly. Visiting from the door party.
    ~ Sue

    Reply
  7. A Delightful Design says: June 29, 2012 at 7:21 pm

    Just checking out your door from days gone by. 🙂 You crack me up…saying the ferns will die soon. I can't keep any plants alive either!
    abby

    Reply
  8. Stephanie Jo says: July 19, 2013 at 5:52 pm

    Did you use exterior paint on both the inside and outside of the door? I have red door that kind of has that chalky appearance. :). I also want to repaint the inside even if my hubby only agrees with white…..

    Reply

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