left: Hardware--You want to put these boys up only once. Use the right bolts, and you won’t have a problem. If you have a brick home, be sure to use masonry bolts and a masonry drill bit. If you’re not sure how to find the right stuff, ask for help. Trust us, the folks who work in the hardware department have it together. right: Decorative brackets--These are just for pretty. Add them after the boxes are in place.

Finishing Touches
A few well-placed containers polish the makeover. Inexpensive plastic pots painted your trim color become instant accessories with a big-bucks look. Placement is key: Low saucers on each side of the steps define this area as the entrance without being bulky and in the way. The large pot on the corner anchors the area between the front door and the front walk.

Add splashes of fun and color with a bench. Festive outdoor fabric pillows give your home personality and complete the look.

The hinges aren’t just for decoration; they also make the shutters functional.

Shutter Style
Shutters add character. You may be tempted to buy those colored plastic versions and nail them to your home, but don’t. Sure, it may take a little more effort to prime, paint, and install real wood shutters, but it’s worth it. Your home will stand out from your neighbors’--in a good way, of course.

Carefully measure your windows prior to ordering shutters. Measure from the top of the sill to the top of the window; subtract 1/2 inch to allow room for the shutter to close inside the window opening.

You can go simple or decorative when it comes to hardware. We choose a classic steel hinge that mounts directly to the window frame. Shutter dogs or metal holdbacks keep the shutters resting against the house, not flapping in the wind. These were installed directly into the brick.

Paint Pointers
A little painting is by far the easiest and most cost-effective spruce-up you can do for your home. A fresh coat in a snazzy shade on your front door makes a huge difference--all it takes is a quart. Just be sure you use the right formula. Remember, never use a latex-based mix over an oil-based paint; it’ll peel off in no time.

RESOURCES
Shutters provided by LTL Home Products
Shutter hardware by Southern Shutter Company, Montgomery, Alabama Shutter and front door color: Benjamin Moore Paints HC-85 Pillows on bench: Suite Dreams, Birmingham, Alabama, (205) 414-1922

This article is from our 2005 Weekend Living special issue, on newsstands the week of September 12!