First Impressions

Such architectural amenities play a major role in a successful front entrance. The current trend in exterior façades is the use of natural materials. Real stone, brick, cedar lap siding, pine or fir window trim, and timber detailing have become favorite choices among homeowners wanting to create an authentic appearance. “Homeowners want finishes that are consistent with the period of the home we are designing,” Aulik says.

These products may require more maintenance, but for many people, it’s worth the price.  “Most people understand that there is value in maintaining their home,” Anschel notes, “and that’s what home ownership is all about.”

In addition to the use of natural materials, windows and trim also play a big role in curb appeal. For an early 1900s home that he restored in Minnetonka, Aulik upgraded and installed antique steel windows salvaged from a home on Lake of the Isles. The result was a façade that stayed true to the home’s original architecture. Where appropriate to the home’s style, Aulik has also used European-style casement windows that swing into the home rather than away from it.

Likewise, Anschel tries to match windows in the homes he designs to the structure’s architectural character, paying close attention to the trim. “The trim is the single most impactful thing someone can do to their home . . . to keep it from looking like tract development–style housing,” he says, recommending wide wood molding around three sides of the window with a sill on the bottom.

Homeowners are also embracing the use of color and a mix of materials in outdoor architectural schemes. “We might see galvanized metal used with a nice warm fir trim and an aqua-green stucco,” says Mike Otto, owner of Mike Otto Construction, a home building and remodeling company in Minneapolis. “It’s all about differences in texture and colors.”

Paths to Success

Just as smart use of materials is important to curb appeal, so too are pathways. Well-designed sidewalks and driveways have two goals: to create clear direction to the front door, and to subtly encourage guests to enjoy the journey. One way to achieve both objectives is to create a clearly defined intersection with the sidewalk and driveway, advises Dave Kopfmann, principal designer for Yardscapes, a landscape design firm in Bloomington. The key is to incorporate adequate space so that visitors know where to park and how to best approach the front door.