Cottage-Inspired Front Yard With Tons of Charm

Designed to fit the natural landscape, the welcoming front yard at DIY Network Ultimate Retreat 2017 offers a first glimpse at this approximately 2,100 square foot home with horizontal and vertical siding and a crisp, clean look.

By: Jeannie Matteucci

Fabulous Front Yard

Lovely landscaping and a well-detailed exterior with contrasting light and dark colors greet visitors who arrive at the front yard of this updated Vermont lake retreat.

Architectural Appeal

The garage's satin black front door offers architectural appeal and includes upper transom windows and an inverted cross bar detail that mimics a "V" for Vermont.

Sophisticated Design

The home's artisan white lap siding has multi-dimensional lines for a sophisticated look that also offers structural integrity. Because the material is thicker than standard siding, corners could be mitered to emulate true wood siding.

Mixed Material Roof

While the home previously had asphalt shingles, it now features mixed material roofing that combines metal roofing panels and laminated shingles on separate pitched roof sections. This design gives the home dimension and visual interest in a cost-effective way.

Walk This Way

Large gray stone pavers on the side of the garage lead to the back of this cozy wooded escape with breathtaking views.

Modern Flair

A section that was added in the 2000's, this part of the formerly plain ranch-style home includes smooth vertical siding in a dramatic iron gray color. "The clean lines are a bit more modern but still fitting with the rest of the house," says project manager Dylan Eastman.

A Step Above

A curved walkway with gray pavers leads visitors to the steps up to the front door of this updated home that celebrates natural materials, textures and tones.

Lush Plant Life

A large flowering salvia bush adds natural beauty and attracts butterflies to the front yard.

Stepping It Up

A staircase done in durable Western Red Cedar brings visitors from the curved walkway off the driveway up to the home's front door. The walkway curves around boulders that were taken from the woods in the back of the property to the front yard, to help integrate the landscaping with the natural surroundings.

Natural Beauty

The Western Red Cedar used for the staircase and front porch features a natural finish that brings out the beautiful red and yellow tones of the wood.

Colorful Planters

Planters with sweet potato vine, cleome, dianthus and geranium decorate the stairs leading up the home's welcoming front entry.

Must-Have Drop Zone

The natural finish used on the Western Red Cedar front porch allows the grain of the wood to shine. A vintage blue and cedar bench surrounded by planters offers a spot to enjoy the fresh air.

Clever Outward Swing

Since the porch provides protection from above, the front door features an outward swing that saves floor space inside the home.

Vintage Style

An indoor/outdoor industrial pipe inspired wall sconce with a clean vintage style and antique bronze finish illuminates the front door area.

Charming Cedar Details

The beveled top of the sustainable Western Red Cedar side rails sheds water and keeps it from accumulating on the porch.

Pop of Color

A mix of blue resin and gray composite planters on the stairs up to the front door offering extra color and contrast for the front of the home.

Lovely Landscaping

A selection of new plantings add texture and celebrate the natural surroundings of this Vermont lake retreat, but also allow the house itself to shine when visitors arrive at the property.

Cottage-Inspired Window Boxes

A selection of window boxes gives the home charm and the chance to grow a miniature garden within the confines of the larger front yard.

Seasonal Style

The addition of the window boxes also offers a way to reflect the colors of the season on the exterior of the home.

Serene Water Feature

The ultimate relaxing touch, this custom-built waterfall enhances the landscape for luxurious curb appeal.

Beautiful Morning Glories

Window boxes with easy to grow yarrows add a good dose of cheery color to the front of this fully furnished Vermont home.

Added Warmth

The colors of the different seasons in Vermont were taken into account when design decisions for the home were made. A band of Western red cedar used with the white siding and darker roof and trim brings warmth and some of the natural colors of the area to the exterior.

Top-Notch Technology

The quiet outdoor condenser with multi-speed fans and hybrid heating technology on the western side of the house works with the indoor wall-mounted units and the floor-mounted unit in the garage to offer personalized comfort in different spaces, for consistent heating and cooling all year round.

Open and Inviting

The home's front yard feels more open and inviting thanks to a number of small trees that were removed when clearing for the septic system and other changes. The tree wood was then used for interior and exterior projects that update this home. Fresh sod was also laid to improve the sparse grass that once dotted the front of the property.

Photo By: Christopher Shane

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