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Luscious Cy-Fair LandscapesCreating a Dream-Worthy Home Exterior

Written by Angela BickfordPhotography by Debby Colson

SSpring is on our doorstep and Cy-Fair folks are eager to enjoy the beauty of it all. The exterior of a home, from paint to landscaping, can make all the difference in making your house really feel like a home—whether a neighbor stops by to admire your front lawn or a potential homebuyer will consider your home. The outside is the first impression visitors will have of your home, so it is important to care for it properly.

Real Curb Appea lExperts agree that curb appeal, or how desirable your home is from the outside, along with a streamlined home looks more appeal-ing to the eye. “Don’t forget that a house extends all the way to the sidewalk. A lot of people don’t think past the front door,” says Shannon Steadman, with Century 21 Showcase Realtors. Simple changes to the exterior of your home can add significantly to how

it appears to outsiders. Steadman further explains, “People want to see life, green, vitality, and color. They want to know that healthy things are happening to the yard and house, not see eyesores, which distract from the appeal.” Many homeowners trying to sell can lose potential clients if their home doesn’t have curb appeal.

Beauty f rom the Out s ide InIt’s easier than it might seem to achieve an amazing yard that draws visitors in. The easiest way to boost your home’s curb appeal is to clean out the clutter. This means ridding your doorways of spider webs, sweeping the walkways, cleaning gutters, and trimming branches and bushes. In a matter of an hour and at no cost to you, your home is already on the way to looking great. “You don’t have to spend a lot of money to seem like you have pride in ownership,” Steadman reminds.

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Next, focus on what matters to you, and take advantage of the best features of your house. Even a few changes on the outside of your home can make a huge difference, such as painting, re-staining, or replacing the garage or front door. Power washing also brings no-ticeable results. Clean the sidewalks, siding, and shutters to create a new sparkle that will surely draw attention. Another helpful addi-tion to your home is lighting. Many homeowners have switched to gas lanterns, which add to the warmth of a home and look amazing at night. You can also show off your house by illuminating trees, flower beds or even garage doors. “It really highlights your home,” says Cypress homeowner Mike Orlando. Making changes to one or two of these things can instantly make your home more inviting.

Color fu l Change sAdding a splash of color to your yard is one of the best things you can do to jazz up your landscaping. Green is the basis of a yard’s color palate, but you can add flowers to help spice it up. Plant some around your trees, add some in front of your bushes or pick an area that needs sprucing up and add a whole flower bed. Bright flowers look great in the spring and summer, and adding black mulch or dirt to beds can make vibrant flowers stand out even more. Keep in mind that many landscapers advise sticking to two or three basic colors, so that you don’t overdo it. If you want something other than flowers, consider that bushes come in many different shades of green. Purposeful planting can add the right color to any yard.

Going GreenFor some, hiring a landscaper is the way to go. Cynthia Stick, a two-time yard of the month winner, advises, “A good relationship is key. Don’t just pick a landscaper because he costs less. Find one who listens and who you feel comfortable with.” Stick uses Gene Salce, owner of GTS Landscape Service, who advises that the design of a landscape should always include color, proportion, and nature. “The trend right now is water features, bringing gardens back, and having a yard that is tranquil,” explains Salce, “You know that if the outside of a home is taken care of, the inside will be too.”

Other Cy-Fair area residents prefer to create their own outdoor paradise. Homeowner Jim Wells handles most of his lawn himself. “It’s a learning process and takes prep work, but it’s important to

Remember--sometimes curb appeal extends all the way from the front tothe back side of your home

By using an interesting combination of various green shrubs and spots of flower color you can create an eye-catching landscape

281-351-2577 www.poolmaninc.com

C R E AT I V E D E S I G N S • R E N OVAT I O N S • S E RV I C E

D R E A M S S I N C E 19 81

Do you often wish you could escape the hustle

and bustle of daily life? Would you like to

get away and relax at a luxurious resort?

You can…right in your own backyard.

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maintain your yard,” Wells says. Homeowners need to prepare soil for hosting new plants and avoid overplanting so that plants can mature correctly. “Less is more,” reminds Wells.

Information on how to spruce up your yard can be found on numerous landscaping shows or on the internet. Also, take pictures of plants and yard designs you like, to give you a springboard for forming your own landscaping plan. “Start small and think quality over quantity,” urges Salce.

Simple Touches Add EleganceAchieving a dream worthy landscape is right at your fingertips, whether you get your own hands dirty, or you hire someone to do

Using flower groupings, you can add pops of color to brighten and add interest to your landscaping

This Cypress home features a unique garage door design and a water fountain to boost its curb appeal

it for you. From little touches like groupings of flowers, to grandiose gestures like a full scale landscaping design, every house can be worthy of winning yard of the month. Or, if your goals are as simple as enjoying the beauty of your yard on a warm summer’snight, you’ll enjoy it more with a little curb appeal. CFM

Writer Angela Bickford has a degree in Elementary Education and lives in Cypress with her husband, Craig. After discovering all of the stunning landscapes for this story, Angela plans to pull out her garden gloves and spruce up her flower beds this spring.

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Lining the walkway with poodle trees and other shrubbery helps enhance this Cypress home’s landscape

10 Tips for Instant Curb Appeal1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8. 9.

10.

Power wash or paint for a clean feeling.

Add a bench or rocking chairs to a front porch.

Clean gutters and keep walkways swept.

Keep lawn tools and trash cans out of sight.

Use lighting to highlight key areas.

Add mulch or dirt to freshen up beds.

Replace your garage or front door for a new look..

Plant flowers around your trees or in pots by your front door.

Keep the yard mowed. Pull weeds and other overgrown vegetation.

Border trees or flower beds with stone.

Use three colors in a flower bed to get the best visual impact