External Affairs

We spend a great deal of time in our home so it’s natural to want to spend our decorating dollars on the interior. But think about how you feel when you pull up to your house. Does it make you smile? Does your home welcome your guests? Not only does curb appeal add to the enjoyment of your home, it will also add to its value. The next time you drive up to your abode ask yourself what jumps out first. Is it a negative, like the neglected porch or the cracked and gloomy driveway? Don’t despair. Here are a few, demo-free options to brighten things up!

Heavy Metal

A surefire way to customize your home’s exterior is to use decorative ironwork.  

Phil Lockwood of Metal by Phil in Dixon says he can incorporate his artistic designs into gates, railings, arbors, sculpture, and usable art. “A creative idea is to replace panels on a wood fence with metal vines, flowers or whatever theme suits your desire. Clients love to choose an element that is meaningful to them.” Phil worked on a project with a homeowner who lives in a wetlands area where cattails are abundant. He transformed steel into a stunning gate featuring realistic cattails and ducks soaring in flight. “No two pieces of mine are alike,” explains Phil. “I always strive to give each one its own unique touch.” 

If you have a porch in need of some TLC, Phil can create an eye-catching railing to define the area. Imagine having a “garden” of calla lilies that never needs watering! “If you really want to make your house stand out from your neighbors, consider placing a wrought iron arbor over the garage or the entrance to your home. One of my most popular designs is a grapevine, dripping with grapes and leaves.” Phil has developed a special color technique that makes his creations come to life. Never underestimate the importance of a home’s front entrance when it comes to curb appeal. A client of Phil’s asked him to create a piece that was as tranquil and serene as a Japanese brush painting. The result? A work of art Phil calls “The River Gate,” finished in a green copper patina. Caution: your guests may never come in when there is something this beautiful to gaze at outside! 

Concrete Solutions

Another important element in making your home appealing from the street is one of the largest surfaces in the front—the driveway. If you think of it as a huge welcome mat, you’ll realize that dreary, gray slab isn’t very welcoming at all. If you don’t want to deal with the noise, expense and stress of a demolition consider a face-lift by Liquid Coating Designs in Pleasanton. President Charles Suhay explains how the transformation happens. “Liquid Stone is a unique blend of minerals and cements. It soaks into the existing surface, filling cracks and holes. It’s then hand-carved and stained by my team of experienced craftsmen for a custom look.”

Whether your home’s style is Cottage Charm, Old World, or Sleek Modern, Liquid Coating Designs has over 15 years of experience in transforming driveways from drab to dreamy. Since you want the walkway to your front door to be clearly defined, you may want to extend the Liquid Coating Designs process to your pathway for a cohesive appearance. 

“You get the sophisticated look of flagstone, travertine, slate cobblestone, or river rock without the hassle and destruction of a construction project,” says Charles. “Our customers often say they now have the best looking driveway on their block!”

Top Coat

“Never paint your home again!” states Del Olson, co-owner of Rhino Shield. Does it sound too good to be true? It isn’t, explains Del, who along with his son and co-owner, Jeff Olson, has been busy making this dream come true for Bay Area homeowners. “Rhino Shield is a permanent paint system for your home’s exterior. It goes on like paint, looks like paint, but unlike paint, it lasts a lifetime.”

Jeff says a Rhino Shield paint job won’t chip, peel fade or crack. It forms a protective, waterproof shield on your home that can withstand even the harshest weather conditions and prevents mold growth and peeling. “Rhino Shield actually acts as an insulator, reflecting over 90% of the suns rays away from your home, and will reduce your monthly energy bill,” he explains. And, the process has only three steps: First, the Rhino Shield crew pressure-washes your home and identifies any areas that need to be repaired. Secondly, after a thorough inspection, the patented Rhino Shield waterproof primer and adhesive is applied. The final step is to apply the ceramic top coat, tinted in the shade of your choice. 

Rhino Shield comes in every color that traditional paint does so making your home gorgeous has never been easier.

From iron art to distinctive driveways to a one-of-a-kind paint job, you can max out your home’s curb appeal without breaking a sweat or the bank.

To find out more about Phil Lockwood’s custom iron work, call (707) 592-1248 or visit www.metalbyphil.com. To learn how Liquid Coating Designs can transform your concrete surfaces, call (925) 931-1937 or visit www.liquidcoatingdesigns.com. To get the last paint job your house will ever need, call Rhino Shield at (888) 868-7575 or visit www.rhinoshieldca.com.