How About a Little Curb Appeal?

I have been so focused on all of my furniture projects and room remodels that I have totally neglected the outside of our house for a really long time, like since we moved in 11 years ago.  I did paint the front door about 8 years ago.  It was white; I painted it brown.  Yuck.  Please note the ugly brass doorknob.  Yuck again. 

The landscaping hasn't been updated in years.  I just don't enjoy yardwork.  Well, to be more exact, I don't enjoy sweating.  And you don't do yardwork without the sweating.  So I avoid the yardwork.  But it was time for an overhaul.  This weekend I was feeling a little spring-y and called in some backup to give my house a little curb appeal.    Here are some before shots of the front door and flower beds:

The old bushes had to come out. Immediately.   Here is the house without the bushes.  Pretty blah.

And here is the house with the old bushes all over the yard....

And here is how my children entertained themselves while we worked.  Burying each other in the mulch.  They smelled horrible. 

As the new bushes and flowers went in, I got to work on  the door.  I removed the disgusting brass doorknob, sanded, and primed the door.  Then I painted it turquoise.  Yes, that's right.  I painted the front door turquoise. 

A little too bright, don't you think?  I went over the turquoise with my new best friend, antiquing glaze.  I love it and it loves me.

I had my husband add new hardware and we were finally done after a really really long day.
So now for the big reveal!  Here is my new front door and my beautiful new flower beds.  Please note the handsome new door handle.

I have to admit, the only part I played in this whole process was doing the door and standing around making decisions about what plants I wanted.  No real sweating happened on my end.  I have to thank my father, his wife, his crew, and my husband for all the real work. 

I love love love the new look of the house.  It no longer looks dated; it looks trendy and fun.  What do you think of my new look?

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