By Romi Herron
For Sun-Times Media
February 9, 2014 4:54PM
Live plants were part of the display Saturday for Great Impressions Integrated Landscape Design of Naperville. The exhibit was one of more than 200 during the three-day Old House New House Home Show at Pheasant Run. | Romi Herron ~ For Sun-Times Media
Updated: February 10, 2014 2:21AM
As snow fell steadily Saturday, hundreds of visitors checked out the four-season project ideas at the Old House New House Home Show at Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles.
The production opened Friday and continued through Sunday, with more than 200 attractions including kitchen demonstrations, workshops and retail displays.
In Saturday’s home improvement workshop, called “Enhancing Curb Appeal,” Michael Pudlik of Legacy Design Construction Inc. and Ben Ubben, design manager with Ryco Landscaping, shared their insights.
Pudlik said homeowners have many options when they set out to improve the attractiveness of their property’s exterior. Among his suggestions were to add a “pleasing color scheme; change building material textures such as windows, entry doors, brick and roofing”; and enhance the height of the home with features that include “porches, balconies, gables and dormers.”
More than 50 guests attended the workshop, and several actual case studies with before-and-after photos were highlighted.
Ubben gave guests ideas on ways to improve curb appeal with landscaping choices. He said balance, layering, emphasis and color are the key factors.
Sometimes, the first step is looking at the property from the perspective of a passerby, he noted.
“If you step back from your house and look at it, there is usually one thing that stands out,” Ubben said. “Usually it’s the garage door … . Typically, you want to create some mass or weight on the opposite corner of the home to balance it.”
When selecting plants, Ubben emphasized layering, with various heights, widths and textures to create depth and interest.
“A straight line of something doesn’t really do it,” he said.
Hardscape surfaces, plant material and accent elements can be used together to create a welcoming experience, he explained.
“Emphasize the entrance and arriving to the house,” he said. “Symmetry feels good to us naturally, psychologically, so even a pair of concrete urns with flowers at the entry path can provide that same feeling.”
To keep seasonal interest, Ubben suggested a plant palette with colors and textures that will create interest and depth year-round.
“Hostas provide nice splashes of yellow, and fall color is a fairly easy thing to incorporate into the landscape,” he said.
When taking on a landscape project, Ubben said key questions can help get the process going.
“Does the house feel anchored in the landscape, or is it floating? Is the front door the focal point, or is it the garage door?” he asked.
Quick fixes to spruce up curb appeal include painting the entry door a bright color, placing two matching planters at the entrance for symmetry, and replacing old hardware or pieces such as handrails, doorknobs and the mailbox.
In addition, Ubben also said it’s important to maintain the property’s existing landscaping with pruning, weeding, edging and mulching.
