I've noticed a lot of houses with dark exteriors lately. Some have been made with the shou-sugi-ban technique, which creates a protective... more »

Water in the garden is magical; even more so when it's adjacent to the house, requiring us to cross it to reach the front door. Maybe the magic comes from childhood stories of castles and moats, but moats certainly don't exist only in castles. Traditionally... more »

There is nothing scarier for some people than choosing paint colors for the exterior of their house. What goes together? What colors work with the style of the home? What will the neighbors think? These are all concerns I've heard over the years. I... more »

Walk down any suburban street, and you can probably guess the general layout of most of the houses. We are familiar with conventional houses and subconsciously absorb the clues their facades reveal — a tall, vertical window possibly reveals the stairs;... more »

After a long, cold winter and a wet spring, you may have found that it's time to put a new roof on your home. Chances are that once you take the time to do this, you'll never want to do it again. Choosing a very durable material, like slate, can mean... more »

Whether you live in a cottage by the sea, a cabin in the mountains, an apartment in the sky or even a bungalow on a suburban street, the veranda is one architectural element that stays in high regard. The balustrades and rails on our verandas not only... more »

Beautiful weather and Pacific Coast views enticed Robert and Phyllis Frank to choose Cayucos, California, as the location for their new home. But then the house became something to admire on its own, thanks to its detailed design, heartfelt commissioned... more »

Oh, Houzzers, you are the greatest. I asked you to share your dramatic paint makeovers, and the last time I checked you had left more than 150 comments plus before and after shots. From Victorian gingerbread... more »

Even if you are not planning to sell your home anytime soon, a fresh and welcoming exterior is a wonderful thing to come home to each day. From front doors, house numbers and porch furnishings to color schemes, landscaping and basic repairs, this smorgasbord... more »

It's always tricky to prioritize decorating dollars, and I tend to funnel most of mine to interior improvements: furniture, fabric, tchotchkes. But lately I've been thinking that the outside of the house — and especially my front entry — deserves... more »

Modern architecture and its architects historically have been seen as being afraid of color. One can trace the lack of color to the famous 1932 International Style exhibition and book from the Museum of Modern Art; buildings with whitewashed walls... more »

Glass is easily one of the most amazing inventions in human history. In architecture the material physically separates inside and outside yet provides views from one side to the other. This quality alone makes glass unique in buildings, and in the 20th... more »

Since the exterior is the biggest and most visible part of your home, choosing its color is a decision you want to be sure about. Unlike with a living room wall or front door, it's not easy to change it if you decide you don't like it. But it's... more »

If there was ever a place and time of irrational exuberance, it was America during the second half of the 19th century. It was certainly a time when if a choice of one was good, then two was better, and three or more wasn't overdoing it at all. It was... more »