Example of a beach style built-in desk dark wood floor and brown floor home office design in Minneapolis with blue walls

Every home improvement project can feel like going into battle, but the sweet taste of victory is enough to make it worthwhile. If you ever feel intimidated by homes and gardens in magazines, don’t fret – you can turn your home into a beautiful beacon with easy curb appeal updates! Kevin and Annette Klingel are some of our favorite weekend warriors, and their latest project proves that anything is possible when it comes to dressing up your front garden. The Klingels recently gave their home and front garden a major renovation and entered their photos in the Window Box Contest. When we saw the gorgeous before and after pictures, we knew we had to get the inside scoop on their process and uncover their best curb appeal ideas. Curb Appeal – Before and After Before the renovation, the Klingels had a charming South Bend, Indiana rambler that was tidy and traditional, if a little unassuming. Deciding it was time for a much-needed update, the Klingels replaced their old green roof with a black barrel roof to match the style of their home. They also made a needed replacement and changed out the sidewalk and front stoop to a new version in classic black. After those dramatic changes, the Klingels just couldn’t stop! Loving the contrast between the new black roof and stoop and their cream house, they painted their shutters black. And here’s where we come in – Annette wanted to incorporate her love of flowers into the new home design and found the perfect planters and window boxes to match the shutters. They purchased ten black window boxes in a classic and chic design to put around their outside windows. The Klingels also used tall black planters around the entrance to the house. The window boxes and planters each received the same plant treatment – red, yellow, and orange impatiens with flowing ferns for a bright punch of color. Paired with hanging baskets and a few other accents, the Klingels house is now a masterpiece. From Drab to Fab The Klingels love their warm and inviting new front entrance, and the neighbors do too. Instead of getting overlooked, their house now stands out and is the star of their busy street, where it is seen by lots of people everyday. They have received tons of compliments about their new look – a crisp and clean front garden that stays true to the style of the home and neighborhood. The Klingels’ curb appeal update wasn’t without its challenges, but the end product is amazing, and as Annette says, definitely worth the time. The Klingels recommend starting with the necessary replacements and finding beautiful matching pieces to add curb appeal. With a little patience, elbow grease, and the help of a great garden supply store like Hooks & Lattice, you too can have the home of your dreams. Photos: Kevin & Annette Klingel

This retaining wall project in inspired by our Travertina Raw stone. The Travertina Raw collection has been extended to a double-sided, segmental retaining wall system. This product mimics the texture of natural travertine in a concrete material for wall blocks. Build outdoor raised planters, outdoor kitchens, seating benches and more with this wall block. This product line has enjoyed huge success and has now been improved with an ultra robust mix design, making it far more durable than the natural alternative. This is a perfect solution in freeze-thaw climates. Check out our website to shop the look! https://www.techo-bloc.com/shop/walls/travertina-raw/

This Award-winning kitchen proves vintage doesn't have to look old and tired. This previously dark kitchen was updated with white, gold, and wood in the historic district of Monte Vista. The challenge is making a new kitchen look and feel like it belongs in a charming older home. The highlight and starting point is the original hex tile flooring in white and gold. It was in excellent condition and merely needed a good cleaning. The addition of white calacatta marble, white subway tile, walnut wood counters, brass and gold accents keep the charm intact. Cabinet panels mimic original door panels found in other areas of the home. Custom coffee storage is a modern bonus! 30" Sub-Zero Refrig, Rohl sink.

Example of a large mountain style l-shaped concrete floor eat-in kitchen design in Other with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, an island, medium tone wood cabinets, marble countertops and stainless steel appliances

Drip irrigation using either Dura-Flo Jr. ¼" dripperline or Dig ¼" dripline with 6" spacing to irrigate the 8' x 4' raised vegetable beds. I have had the best success with this type of irrigation in my vegetable bed installations.

Aimee Mazzenga Photography Design: Mitzi Maynard and Clare Kennedy
Bedroom - coastal master light wood floor bedroom idea in Nashville with white walls

When staging a property allowing the strengths of the house is paramount to all of our marketing efforts. The simple elegance of this kitchen is allowed to shine through with only a few accents needed to add warmth to the space while the exquisite details take center stage. Once again, "shopping" from what the homeowner already had was a true treasure hunt as we added the final touches to this kitchen! Charles Dickens Photography

Inspiration for a small contemporary 3/4 white tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile and black floor bathroom remodel in Chicago with gray cabinets, a one-piece toilet, solid surface countertops, white countertops, an integrated sink and flat-panel cabinets

M.Olowski
Example of a mid-sized minimalist wooden l-shaped staircase design in New York with painted risers

APLD 2021 Silver Award Winning Landscape Design. Galvanized troughs used for vegetables in the side yard. An expansive back yard landscape with several mature oak trees and a stunning Golden Locust tree has been transformed into a welcoming outdoor retreat. The renovations include a wraparound deck, an expansive travertine natural stone patio, stairways and pathways along with concrete retaining walls and column accents with dramatic planters. The pathways meander throughout the landscape... some with travertine stepping stones and gravel and those below the majestic oaks left natural with fallen leaves. Raised vegetable beds and fruit trees occupy some of the sunniest areas of the landscape. A variety of low-water and low-maintenance plants for both sunny and shady areas include several succulents, grasses, CA natives and other site-appropriate Mediterranean plants complimented by a variety of boulders. Dramatic white pots provide architectural accents, filled with succulents and citrus trees. Design, Photos, Drawings © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

This retaining wall project in inspired by our Travertina Raw stone. The Travertina Raw collection has been extended to a double-sided, segmental retaining wall system. This product mimics the texture of natural travertine in a concrete material for wall blocks. Build outdoor raised planters, outdoor kitchens, seating benches and more with this wall block. This product line has enjoyed huge success and has now been improved with an ultra robust mix design, making it far more durable than the natural alternative. This is a perfect solution in freeze-thaw climates. Check out our website to shop the look! https://www.techo-bloc.com/shop/walls/travertina-raw/

Photo of a traditional landscaping in Omaha.

Example of a mid-sized transitional master gray floor and porcelain tile bathroom design in New York with shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, white walls, a drop-in sink, quartz countertops and white countertops

Photo credit: Denise Retallack Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional subway tile and white tile mosaic tile floor bathroom remodel in Other with a pedestal sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, marble countertops and blue walls

Trendy stamped concrete patio photo in Other with a fireplace and a roof extension

Adrienne DeRosa © 2014 Houzz Inc. One of the most recent renovations is the guest bathroom, located on the first floor. Complete with a standing shower, the room successfully incorporates elements of various styles toward a harmonious end. The vanity was a cabinet from Arhaus Furniture that was used for a store staging. Raymond and Jennifer purchased the marble top and put it on themselves. Jennifer had the lighting made by a husband-and-wife team that she found on Instagram. "Because social media is a great tool, it is also helpful to support small businesses. With just a little hash tagging and the right people to follow, you can find the most amazing things," she says. Lighting: Triple 7 Recycled Co.; sink & taps: Kohler Photo: Adrienne DeRosa © 2014 Houzz

This traditional inspired kitchen design features Merillat Masterpiece cabinets in the Verona raised panel door style in the Pebble Grey Paint finish. Kitchen countertops are Cambria Brittanica. Photos courtesy of Felicia Evans Photography.

Photo: Danielle Sykes © 2015 Houzz
Design ideas for a farmhouse backyard landscaping in Boston.