Skip to content

Top Navigation

Southern Living Southern Living
  • Food and Recipes
  • Culture and Lifestyle
  • Style
  • Holidays & Occasions
  • Home
  • Gardening Ideas
  • News
  • Video

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living Books this link opens in a new tab
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Southern Living

Southern Living Southern Living
  • Explore

    Explore

    • The Best New Haircuts to Try in 2022

      The Best New Haircuts to Try in 2022

      Here are the haircuts you'll be seeing everywhere this year. Read More
    • How To Season a Cast-Iron Skillet

      How To Season a Cast-Iron Skillet

      Learn how to season this Southern kitchen staple. Read More
    • 50 Thoughtful Messages for a Meaningful Thank You Note

      50 Thoughtful Messages for a Meaningful Thank You Note

      Not sure what to write in a thank you card? Here's how to show your gratitude with a handwritten note. Read More
  • Food and Recipes

    Food and Recipes

    See All Food and Recipes
    4 Easy Ways to Tell if an Egg Has Gone Bad

    4 Easy Ways to Tell if an Egg Has Gone Bad

    It’s not all in the senses, but they sure can help.
    • Recipes
    • Quick and Easy Dinner
    • Kitchen Assistant
    • Casserole
    • Holiday and Occasion Food
    • Slow Cooker Recipes
    • Desserts
    • Healthy and Light
    • Side Dishes
    • Party Food and Drink
    • Appetizers
    • Meat
    • Breakfast
    • BBQ
    • Drinks
    • What's Cooking
  • Culture and Lifestyle

    Culture and Lifestyle

    See All Culture and Lifestyle
    70 Cute and Funny Nicknames For Your Best Friends

    70 Cute and Funny Nicknames For Your Best Friends

    Let your besties know how much they mean to you with one of these unique nicknames.
    • Quotes and Sayings
    • Biscuits and Jam Podcast
    • Travel
    • Pets
    • Healthy Living
    • Coastal Living
  • Style

    Style

    See All Style
    The Coziest Winter Nail Colors for January 2022

    The Coziest Winter Nail Colors for January 2022

    The beginning of a new year often has us all feeling like starting off fresh by taking on better habits, getting rid of old ones, and—most commonly—changing up our look. While others are hitting the squats and going into the salon for a pixie cut, why not start slow and steady with a cozy winter manicure in a color that feels new to you? It takes only a little courage to step outside your usual OPI Lincoln Park After Dark or Essie Bordeaux, which is all you need to kick 2022 off on a fanciful foot.  From new wintry takes on classic dark nail colors to unique pops of color that'll have you feeling the opposite of boring, these are the best nail colors to try this January and tick off all the way into spring. 
    • Beauty
    • Hair
    • Fashion
    • Short Hairstyles
    • Nails
    • Medium Hairstyles
    • Skincare
    • Long Hairstyles
  • Holidays & Occasions

    Holidays & Occasions

    See All Holidays & Occasions
    • Thanksgiving
    • Gifts
    • Christmas
    • Mother's Day
    • Hanukkah
    • New Year's
    • Easter
    • Mardi Gras
    • 4th of July
    • Weddings
  • Home

    Home

    See All Home
    16 Kitchen Design Trends Southern Designers Predict Will Be Everywhere in 2022

    16 Kitchen Design Trends Southern Designers Predict Will Be Everywhere in 2022

    There's no denying how the pandemic fundamentally changed the world—including how we live (and work) inside our homes. An overall trend toward celebrating the history and originality of our homes is displacing ultramodern aesthetics and sharp lines as we all look to create cozier, colorful, more personalized spaces that better suit our lifestyles. We're turning away from big-box stores and toward vintage items—first, out of necessity due to supply-chain issues, and now, for design reasons—to add charm and character to every room in the house, including the kitchen. Here, interior designers from around the South share their predictions for what's trending in kitchen design for 2022 and beyond.
    • Home Decor Ideas
    • Idea Houses
    • Kitchen Design
    • Before & After Photos
    • Bathroom Design
    • Curb Appeal
    • Bedroom Design
    • DIY Home Decor
    • Color Palettes & Paint
    • House Plans & Builders
    • Inspired Communities
  • Gardening Ideas

    Gardening Ideas

    See All Gardening Ideas
    If You Keep Finding Ladybugs in Your House, Here's What You Need to Know

    If You Keep Finding Ladybugs in Your House, Here's What You Need to Know

    Plus a few strategies for keeping them out-of-doors
    • Container Gardening
    • Gardening Flowers
    • Fruit, Vegetable & Herb Gardens
    • Garden Pests
    • Plant Guides A-Z
    • Indoor Plants
    • Fall Plants
    • Landscaping Ideas
    • The Grumpy Gardener
  • News

    News

    See All News
    • Celebrities
    • Local News
  • Video

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living Books this link opens in a new tab
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Southern Living
  2. Home
  3. Home Decor Ideas
  4. 48 Charming Exteriors We'd Love To Come Home To

48 Charming Exteriors We'd Love To Come Home To

Southern Living May 2021 Cover
By Southern Living Editors Updated June 20, 2022
Skip gallery slides
FB
Blue Exterior Homewood Cottage
Credit: Alison Miksch

Are you looking to give your house exterior a little more charm? Check out this collection of lovely facades that are much more than brick and mortar. 

Whether your house is in the mountains, by the sea, or on a cute cul-de-sac, you can always add curb appeal. All home exteriors are different, but you can easily take bits and pieces from all these elegant and alluring Southern homes to add charm to your home exterior. Updating your home with a new paint color, adding a welcoming pineapple, or updating the shutters are just a few of our favorite ways to add beauty to your home. Find exterior inspiration and ideas for stunning street views with our roundup of enviable home exteriors.

Start Slideshow

1 of 48

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Mountain Magic

Norman D. Askins Highlands Cottage Exterior
Credit: Photo: Helen Norman

Almost everything about the 1940s mountain house Norman Askins discovered 23 years ago delighted him. The unusual site with a secluded meadow in front and vast mountain views behind, the charming cottage details, and the long front hall with attractive vistas all captivated his eye. Shortcomings such as dull gray shingles, dark pine walls and floors, and dated decor encouraged Norman to do what he loves most. "It was a wreck when I first saw it, but the bones were there," he says. When he brought his wife, decorator Joane Askins, to the house years later, they joined forces, combining their talents to bring out the home's charm.

1 of 48

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 48

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Inspiring Garden Entry

Pritchard Home Exterior
Credit: Alison Miksch

The brick walk, laid in a traditional running bond pattern, leads the eye (and guests) right to the front steps, where a bright red door welcomes visitors into the home. Too often, a foreboding hedge of large shrubs obscures the porch. Here, low plantings and a short entry gate complement the facade and allow visibility of the home's entire exterior from the street. Homeowners Christine and Gil Pritchard worked with a landscape architect to ensure that the home's outdoor area transformed into a functional living space.

2 of 48

3 of 48

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Timeless Southern Design

Timeless Southern Design
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

This Louisiana home, designed by celebrated architect A. Hays Town, is elegant and welcoming. When a journalist asked what Town wanted his typical home to epitomize, he said, "[My houses] settle down to look as if they've been here forever." The matured tree-lined walkway helps establish a sense of permanence.

3 of 48

Advertisement

4 of 48

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Baton Rouge Beauty

Baton Rouge Beauty
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Located in Baton Rouge's Bocage neighborhood, celebrated Southern architect A. Hays Town designed this house. The classic materials, generous front porch, and elegant setting are all signatures of Town's designs. The neutral exterior and forest green pops on the shutters allow this home to sink into its surrounding environment.

4 of 48

5 of 48

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Proportion and Patina

Proportion and Patina
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

Classic scale and a reclaimed-slate roof give this 1991 home timeless appeal. The ceiling fans added to the large front porch encourage ongoing conversations even in the middle of summer. Creating a "Y-shape," the joining walkways allow guests to march directly towards the front door or around either side of the house.

5 of 48

6 of 48

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

The Genteel Cottage

Genteel Cottage Exterior
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

A couple from Connecticut moved down South with the plans to develop land in Virginia's horse country. With a plan that would take years to complete, they decided to start with a guest house to provide lodging while building the main house and stables. The cottage's simple exterior is a prelude to the straightforward floor plan within the home.

6 of 48

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 48

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Symmetrical Cottage

Arkansas Cottage After
Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez

This Arkansas home and garden prove you don't need a mansion to live big. Garden designer Daniel Keeley was searching for a small, affordable house to make his own when he stumbled upon a 1,004-square-foot fixer-upper in a desirable neighborhood in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Keeley was drawn to the cottage, constructed in 1948, because of its simple, symmetrical design and relatively flat corner lot. He saw an opportunity to create unique spaces for gardening and outdoor living. On less than a fifth of an acre, he's integrated a house, front garden, perennial garden, fountain garden, cabana, courtyard, rear garden, and vegetable garden.

7 of 48

8 of 48

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Charming Cottage Makeover

Blue Exterior Homewood Cottage
Credit: Alison Miksch

With a bit of renovation compromise, the inherent charm of a 1920s cottage comes into full view. Easy shifts in scale and dimension with tidy plantings boost this home's curb appeal. The exterior makeover of this Alabama cottage included removing metal awnings, hiding the house, and adding a dormer for extra dimension. The awnings were drawing attention away from the rotting cedar wood cladding, now replaced with cement siding. A coat of bluish-gray paint and crisp white trim were the final touches for transforming this cottage into the most dashing home on the block.

8 of 48

9 of 48

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Monteagle Magic

Monteagle, Tennessee Cottage
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

This delightful cottage gives Southern Gothic a new meaning, updating the classic Carpenter-Gothic-style space for contemporary living without altering its wonderful charm. Built around 1890, this beautiful Monteagle, Tennessee mountain cottage is a study in simplicity, mixing natural materials including stone and timber to create a warm, inviting, and welcoming space. The "window" that underscores this house's Gothic charm is a repurposed mirror found at an antique shop in Nashville. A chipped Victorian front door sets the tone for the decor inside. Rooted in history and tradition but delicately and sympathetically restored for comfortable living today, this Tennessee mountain cottage is elegant, enticing, and fit for Southern life.

9 of 48

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 48

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Porches Aplenty

Green Lake House Exterior
Credit: Jana Carson

All the homes in the lake community of Carlton Landing in Oklahoma are designed with large porches to foster friendly neighborhood relationships. The home of Jen and Grant Humphreys is extra-inviting, featuring a 10- by 16-foot seating area on one end of the porch and an equally spacious dining area on the other. The simple landscaping allows the front porch to be the focal point.

10 of 48

11 of 48

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Lake House in the Trees

Alabama Lake House in the Trees
Credit: Photo: Helen Norman

Set at the edge of a clear, deep lake just north of Birmingham, the modest home of designer Richard Tubb and his partner, Danny Weaver, rises like a tree house from the shore. In the evenings, it glows like a lantern, becoming a beacon for boaters on Smith Lake. Architect and friend Jeff Dungan designed the home's addition.

11 of 48

12 of 48

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Picturesque Farmhouse

White House with Beautiful Manicured Lawn
Credit: Alison Miksch

New outbuildings, exactingly restored woodwork, and a commitment to maintaining the integrity of the original house add up to this picture-perfect makeover in Nashville. The original bay window is topped in copper, complementing the other accents on the house's exterior. Cedar-shake adds a welcoming warmth to the entire facade.

12 of 48

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 48

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Mountain Setting

Celebration Cottage, Plan #1891
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

The exterior design of our 2016 Idea House used the mountain setting as inspiration. Nestled on a corner lot in Mt. Laurel, the house is in a community between Birmingham (our hometown!) and Double Oak Mountain. Architect Bill Ingram played to the woodsy locale with a dark gray palette. The corner lot allows for 900 square feet of porch area wrapped with a traditional X-railing and newel posts, a more modest way for carpenters to finish posts on-site.

13 of 48

14 of 48

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Horse Stable Exterior

Color Scheme
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

The soft gray color of the house's weathered cedar shingles inspired the interior's neutral palette. Balancing the wild and manicured landscaping updates the exterior without destroying its earthy charm. Plenty of doors and windows allow for maximum natural light.

14 of 48

15 of 48

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Breezy River House Porch

Breezy River House Porch
Credit: Photo: Melanie Acevedo

We're suckers for an endless front porch! Nestled into the hipped roof's overhang and accented with louvered shutters on one end, this shady spot features all our porch must-haves. These features complete the lush Southern landscape, including an iconic hanging swing, white wicker furnishing, and a tranquil color scheme.

15 of 48

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 48

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Tudor Cottage

Tudor Cottage
Credit: Photo: Van Chaplin

Who hasn't dreamed of coming home to a cottage garden? They exude grace and charm with dense plants, from flowers to fruit. When Betsy Fleenor and her husband Michael purchased their Birmingham Tudor-style home, the front yard was very different from what you see today. The carpet of grass and dull shrubs didn't enhance the house. Betsy envisioned a cottage-style garden, but it took 15 years for the garden of her dreams to become a reality. "Now our Tudor-style house feels like a home, and it has the cottage-style garden it deserves," says Betsy. Replacing the lawn with roses, herbs, and vines creates this look by effortlessly weaving plants into the tapestry of shrubs.

16 of 48

17 of 48

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Little Charmer

The Cloudland Cottage Exterior
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

The white picket fence surrounding the property matches the trim work and complements the blue clapboard exterior. The front entry's rounded moldings and white spindles jump out like icing on a cake. Two windows on either side of the front door add an aesthetically pleasing symmetry to the space.

17 of 48

18 of 48

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

New Orleans Cottage Revival

New Orleans Cottage Revival
Credit: Laurey Glenn

When Hurricane Katrina wiped out Karina Gentinetta's newly purchased 1930s home in 2005, she and her husband Andrew "A.J." McAlear were left to build a new home on the lot where their old one had stood. "I wanted to pay homage to the architecture and history New Orleans lost," says Karina. Emphasizing simplicity, she drew the modest plans herself.

18 of 48

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 48

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Southern Craftsman Restoration

Southern Craftsman-Style Home: After
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Montgomery, Alabama-based designer Ashley Gilbreath worked through years of neglect to restore her 1910 Craftsman-style home just doors down from where Zelda Fitzgerald once lived. Intent on preserving her home's architectural details and character, Ashley wanted to salvage and restore it. "I reused what I could and replicated anything new to be as close to the original as possible," she says.

19 of 48

20 of 48

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Charming Cottage Curb Appeal

Birmingham Cape-Cod Style Cottage Makeover
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

Architects Bates Corkern Studio turns a 1930s home into a neighborhood favorite by pairing timeless details with classic proportions. The crisp Colonial home is created by adding neighborly Southern accents, including a new color palette, an enlarged front entry, and an upgraded roof. The updated landscaping adds plenty of curb appeal to this charming cottage.

20 of 48

21 of 48

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Farmhouse Restoration

Farmhouse Revival SL House Plan
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

A Georgia farmhouse without a front porch? We couldn't believe it. This wraparound one greets visitors with style. For a striking accent, the black shutters pop against the white exterior.

21 of 48

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 48

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Modern Georgian Home

Modern Georgian: After
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

When a young couple bought this stately brick house, they knew it had great bones and wouldn't require too much work. Their only concern was that it felt dark and dowdy—a problem Birmingham-based architects Paul Bates and Jeremy Corkern quickly remedied. Paul and Jeremy created an oversize but not imposing 9-foot-tall limestone entryway. Light spills into the foyer through the 7-foot French doors and leaded-glass transom. A pair of Palladian-style shutters add a single punch of color (Pratt & Lambert's Artichoke). A bell-shaped front lawn furthers the illusion of more height.

22 of 48

23 of 48

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Traditional Southern Farmhouse

Nashville Idea House at Night
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

This Southern farmhouse has a classic style, complete with simple farmhouse details like a gable roof, clerestory windows, and a wraparound porch. A focal point of the front porch, the door has a chevron design, adding a historical component to the new house. Flanked by two sconces and potted plants, this entryway invites guests into its rural home.

23 of 48

24 of 48

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Colonial Williamsburg Cottage

Colonial Williamsburg: After
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Birmingham architect Bill Ingram gives his 1940s cottage some character-building TLC with materials chosen for their authentic looks and upkeep. "The house was static before, but now it's more animated," he says. "The shadows and textures all enliven it." The pruned lawn perfectly coordinates with the cottage size and exterior.

24 of 48

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 48

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Smart Cottage Style

Garden Home Cottage
Credit: Helen Norman

Designer P. Allen Smith loves a challenge. So when he built a guesthouse at his Moss Mountain Farm just outside Little Rock, Arkansas, he gave himself some limits. He designed 1,650 square feet completed in 150 days for just $150,000, but that's not all. It would also feature the most up-to-date green construction principles. The 19th-century Southern farmhouse's preceding style helped inspire the renovation.

25 of 48

26 of 48

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Soulful Historic Home

The House
Credit: Photo: Jonny Valiant

Designer Mathew Bees' early-1900s home, developed in a toned-down Lowcountry and Palladian style, has paneled shutters with original operable hardware to offer a classic touch. The canopy trees provide a shady area in the front yard to place a dining table and chairs. Using white for the front doors makes it a feature by contrasting it with dark brick.

26 of 48

27 of 48

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Farmhouse Remodel

Architectural Scale
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Rooted in simplicity, this North Carolina farmhouse built in the 1790s exudes charm. Architect Ken Pursley maintained the house's integrity despite adding a porch. Using its original scale preserves and respects the original scale.

27 of 48

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

28 of 48

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Timeless Southern Lake House

The House at a Glance
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Early American Colonial architecture inspired this house's balanced symmetry. The one-story steeply pitched shake roof and bookending chimneys add to this distinct style. From there, architect Bill Ingram tweaked the home to reflect his style with asymmetrical windows, swooping roof overhangs, and serpentine-shaped brackets.

28 of 48

29 of 48

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Magnificent Miami Grand Approach

Stunning Dramatic Driveway
Credit: Photo: Roger Foley

Driveways nearly always consist of utilitarian carpets of blinding-white concrete, but doing that would have been a crime in this yard. The driveway has two tracks of cut stone, forming a diagonal pattern, between straight courses of stone running from the street to the porte-cochere and the parking area in the back. Soft, green grass grows between the rocks, reducing heat and glare. Fully functional and also beautiful, it creates a grand approach.

29 of 48

30 of 48

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Cape Cod-Style Cottage

Cape Cod Cottage: After
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

After designer Wendy Meredith and her husband, Cleve, bought this 1930s Atlanta cottage, she contacted Atlanta architect Brad Heppner. The two immediately started working on curb appeal as their first project. "We made subtle but important changes to the front exterior," says Brad, "such as painting the brick a warm light brown to help the house nestle into the surrounding trees." Additionally, Heppner added a cedar-shingled roof, a flared awning over the front door, and charming black shutters to the upstairs dormer windows, giving the house more architectural definition.

30 of 48

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

31 of 48

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Jewel Box Cottage

The House at a Glance
Credit: Courtesty of Atlantic Archives, Inc.

A previous renovation had confused the architecture of this 1920s Shingle-style cottage. Georgia-based architecture firm Historical Concepts took it back to its stylistic roots, emphasizing the distinctive gambrel roofline. The blue shutters and palm trees express a distinct island vibe.

31 of 48

32 of 48

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Quaint Coastal Cottage

Welcome to Bayou Bend
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Matthew Gleason

Bayou Bend, the quaint coastal cottage in Covington, Louisiana, is rooted in the architectural traditions of the Deep South. The open floor plan and vibrant interiors are fit for the modern family. Stacked columns deliver a more stately appearance to this exterior.

32 of 48

33 of 48

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Farmhouse Addition

Seamless North Carolina Farmhouse Remodel
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

After carefully restoring her 200-year-old Federal-style farmhouse in Stanly County, North Carolina, the homeowner quickly realized she lacked a crucial country-living element. A spacious, covered outdoor space where she could entertain, relax, and enjoy the views in a Southern staple. Charlotte-based architect Ken Pursley jumped in to design a screened porch addition that would afford the outdoor living she wanted and still uphold the integrity of the beloved historic farmhouse.

33 of 48

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

34 of 48

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Rural Cottage

Rural Cottage
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Architect Ken Pursley looked to early American churches, barns, and the surrounding rural landscape when designing this timeless retreat on Maryland's Upper Eastern Shore. The main focal point of the exterior is the A-frame roofline that draws the viewer's eyes up. Matching the side exteriors to the shutter paint color on the main structure adds cohesion to the house.

34 of 48

35 of 48

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Gothic Farmhouse

Gothic Farmhouse Exterior
Credit: Photo: Joann Seiburg Baker

This home, located on a sleepy mountain, has a vibrant color palette making it stand out from any street. A colorful front garden and all-American good looks make you wish you were pulling into the circular front drive. The front porch extends the immersive natural space with climbing vines growing around the hanging cover.

35 of 48

36 of 48

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Lowcountry Style

Palmetto Bluff Idea House
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Surrounded by pine trees and nestled beside a lake, the east-facing back porch offers unrivaled views of the sunrise. An ample covered space presents an opportunity for outdoor entertaining. Short, well-maintained landscaping provides an unobstructed view when sitting on the porch.

36 of 48

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

37 of 48

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Fresh Silhouette

Fresh Silhouette
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Previously, the home lacked curb appeal and felt a bit forgettable. Architect Stan Dixon gave the cottage a focal point with the front-facing gambrel roofline that houses an arched window, latticework railing, and black door. "Stan's proportions add a classic elegance," says Jessica Thuston. "The white-columned portico gives this simple cottage a stately feel."

37 of 48

38 of 48

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Updating a Classic

Modern Update of Classic Form
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Architect Tim Cuppett designed a new farmhouse accented with imperfectly layered Texas limestone. The layout provides a purposely disheveled appearance as if added over time. A windowed entry connects two structures in the spirit of a Southern dogtrot, yet the floor-to-ceiling glass gives it an updated feel. "So many of the elements on this house are familiar—white clapboard, metal roof, stacked-stone chimney," says Executive Editor Jessica Thuston. "Yet the windows are the first clue that it has a modern spin."

38 of 48

39 of 48

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Texas Farmhouse

Texas Farmhouse
Credit: Photo: Ryann Ford

This casual Hill Country cottage pours on the Southern charm with its familiar farmhouse form, picture-perfect proportions, and inviting front porch nestled beneath a curtain of large oak trees. The stone facade and metal roofing reflect Fredericksburg's original German-style architecture. The delicate shutter paint color adds a personal touch.

39 of 48

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

40 of 48

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Classic Colonial Cottage

Birmingham Colonial Cottage — After
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

"It was the sort of house you might drive by without noticing," says homeowner Caroline Little. "It had great bones but felt very outdated." Little knew the secret to the exterior makeover's success would be staying true to her home's existing 1941 structure. She carefully selected a team, architect Corbett Scott and landscape architect Paul Lell, who focused on enhancing the Birmingham home's original Colonial charm. The collaboration between Scott and Lell was vital. "You want the landscaping and the architecture to harmonize," explains Lell. With upgrades that included new windows and bluestone pavers, this home received a face-lift that has all the neighbors green with envy.

40 of 48

41 of 48

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

A New Farmhouse

Farmhouse Decorating
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Architect Bethany Puopolo pulled from the influences of American barn construction and her Swedish heritage for a new take on the classic farmhouse. Bethany based her clapboard farmhouse on the style's basics—two stories with a gable roof and lots of porches—but she gave it her signature. "Farmhouses always have porches, but I added even more. Half the home's 2,400 total square footage is devoted to breezeways and porches where we can see the animals, take breaks from gardening, or have a meal and watch the sunset."

41 of 48

42 of 48

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Lowcountry Living

Lowcountry Living
Credit: Photo by: Helen Norman, Styling by: Rebecca Omweg

Patricia and Geordie Cole chose to reintroduce the dogtrot floor plan, originally developed centuries ago to accommodate the heat and humidity of the South, in their newly constructed South Carolina home. Modest in scale and rooted in the history of the Lowcountry, this home has an architectural style that reflects the quiet lifestyle the homeowners envisioned for themselves in South Carolina. It's a classic design, updated with all the provisions for modern-day living. Large folding doors replace the traditional front entry to open the central hallway.

42 of 48

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

43 of 48

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Charleston Single House

After: Historic Single House Front Exterior
Credit: Photo: Francesco Lagnese

Olivia and Walker Brock looked at dozens of Charleston's iconic one-room-wide single houses before finally finding one with their coveted "Three Ps"—porch, privacy, and parking. After restoring the multi-storied porches, the couple replaced the existing fence and gate with welcoming wooden ones. Fixtures illustrate the house's age using reproductions, as the clapboard siding is painted light green with cream trim to modernize the exterior. A classic navy paint covers the front door, adding depth and a focal point to the entire house.

43 of 48

44 of 48

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Classic Georgia Bungalow

Classic Georgia Bungalow After
Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez

Evergreen subshrubs surround the strategically placed American boxwoods. A Stewartia tree adds height and four seasons of interest, while period-appropriate nandina leafy shrubs grace the garden with berries in fall and winter. A manicured 'Zeon' zoysia lawn provides a place for the eye to rest while taking it all in. Vintage camellias and paper bush brighten up the borders in winter. 'Thalia' daffodils and moss pinks welcome spring, and ox-eye daisies on the front embankment flower into autumn. These ever-changing elements keep the landscape vibrant in all seasons.

44 of 48

45 of 48

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Virginia Farmhouse

Exterior
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

"This is an updated take on typical rural Southern farmhouses," explains Rosney Co. "Rather than white clapboard, we used taupe- and orange-toned stone quarried in West Virginia. This helps connect the house to its location in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains." Earthy details like the charcoal standing-seam metal roof, green shutters, and putty-colored trim muffle the house's newness. Most main areas connect to outdoor areas, and dormer windows create space without much height. "Lower houses fit better with the land," says Rosney Co.

45 of 48

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

46 of 48

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Lake Views

Welcome to the Palmetto Bluff Idea House
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

"I wanted to design a house that feels fresh right now but will still be relevant in 100 years," says architect Ken Pursley. Using time-tested, durable materials with crisp lines, such as James Hardie board-and-batten siding, plank-style shutters, and a standing-seam metal roof creates a simple silhouette that won't tire over time. This home's location in Palmetto Bluff is suburban and waterfront, allowing Ken to create almost two homes in one. He designed a more humble facade on the street side with a covered storage area and parking pad running perpendicular to the central mass.

46 of 48

47 of 48

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Charming White Farmhouse

Alabama Farmhouse Exterior
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Homeowners Jon and Beverly Winter wanted their new home on her parents' farm in Matthews, Alabama, to look like it had been on the family property for years, even though it was a new construction home. Architect Bill Ingram and the contractor worked with salvaged materials, made windows the old-fashioned way (by securing the glass panes with putty), and selected a tin roof, another nod to age-old building practices. Lastly, building the screened porch was a way to make it appear like an addition or created at a later time.

47 of 48

48 of 48

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Atlanta Manor Makeover

Lime Wash Brick House
Credit: Emily J Followill

When designing houses, architect Peter Block tries to avoid strict stylistic definitions. A case in point is the new home of Marcia and Mark Miller, located on a rare expansive lot in Atlanta's Buckhead area. For its design, Peter looked to the English country houses of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

48 of 48

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Southern Living Editors

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 48 Mountain Magic
    2 of 48 Inspiring Garden Entry
    3 of 48 Timeless Southern Design
    4 of 48 Baton Rouge Beauty
    5 of 48 Proportion and Patina
    6 of 48 The Genteel Cottage
    7 of 48 Symmetrical Cottage
    8 of 48 Charming Cottage Makeover
    9 of 48 Monteagle Magic
    10 of 48 Porches Aplenty
    11 of 48 Lake House in the Trees
    12 of 48 Picturesque Farmhouse
    13 of 48 Mountain Setting
    14 of 48 Horse Stable Exterior
    15 of 48 Breezy River House Porch
    16 of 48 Tudor Cottage
    17 of 48 Little Charmer
    18 of 48 New Orleans Cottage Revival
    19 of 48 Southern Craftsman Restoration
    20 of 48 Charming Cottage Curb Appeal
    21 of 48 Farmhouse Restoration
    22 of 48 Modern Georgian Home
    23 of 48 Traditional Southern Farmhouse
    24 of 48 Colonial Williamsburg Cottage
    25 of 48 Smart Cottage Style
    26 of 48 Soulful Historic Home
    27 of 48 Farmhouse Remodel
    28 of 48 Timeless Southern Lake House
    29 of 48 Magnificent Miami Grand Approach
    30 of 48 Cape Cod-Style Cottage
    31 of 48 Jewel Box Cottage
    32 of 48 Quaint Coastal Cottage
    33 of 48 Farmhouse Addition
    34 of 48 Rural Cottage
    35 of 48 Gothic Farmhouse
    36 of 48 Lowcountry Style
    37 of 48 Fresh Silhouette
    38 of 48 Updating a Classic
    39 of 48 Texas Farmhouse
    40 of 48 Classic Colonial Cottage
    41 of 48 A New Farmhouse
    42 of 48 Lowcountry Living
    43 of 48 Charleston Single House
    44 of 48 Classic Georgia Bungalow
    45 of 48 Virginia Farmhouse
    46 of 48 Lake Views
    47 of 48 Charming White Farmhouse
    48 of 48 Atlanta Manor Makeover

    Share & More

    Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print
    Southern Living

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • About Us
    • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
    • Books from Southern Living
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    MeredithSouthern Living is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporation. Southern Living is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporationthis link opens in a new tab All Rights Reserved. Southern Living may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Southern Living. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.southernliving.com

    Sign in

    View image

    48 Charming Exteriors We'd Love To Come Home To
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.