| naBody"> | | | | on either side of the front entrance. |
| âYou only have one chance to make a first | | | | If exterior repainting is on the agenda â and |
| impression,â so the adage goes. It | | | | you may decide itâs a worthwhile |
| couldnât be more true when you consider | | | | investment â a colour consultant can provide |
| the street appeal of your house. And with more | | | | valuable input. Colour consultants are generally |
| sellers competing for fewer buyers now is the time | | | | associated with developing interior colour schemes; in |
| to make your house stand out from the rest. | | | | fact, they are also trained to advise on your |
| In a good way, that is. The messiest house, the | | | | homeâs exterior and can be a valuable |
| worst kept garden or the peeling paint | | | | resource in helping boost your homeâs |
| wonât win you the good neighbour award | | | | street appeal. The front door, for example, can be |
| nor will it impress buyers. If your house is for sale | | | | painted any number of colours depending on the look |
| you must consider the importance of street appeal. | | | | you want to achieve. A colour consultant can select a |
| Hereâs where to start: | | | | colour of paint that fits with your siding, brick, roof |
| Right now, walk across the street and look at your | | | | tiles, porch and pathway. Better still, he or she can |
| house. (If you donât think you can be | | | | develop a total palette for your homeâs |
| objective, ask a friend to honestly appraise your | | | | exterior to make it stand out from the crowd. |
| homeâs street appeal.) Compare it to your | | | | Donât forget lighting. Attractive electric |
| neighboursâ homes. If you were walking by | | | | lamps on either side of the front entrance make a |
| would it capture your attention? Does it feel warm | | | | pleasing statement when seen from the street and |
| and hospitable? Stand where a visitor is likely to park. | | | | also enhance security. Other lighting options may |
| Can the house be accessed easily from here or are | | | | include pathway lights, up lights focussed on certain |
| would-be visitors fighting through thickets to get to | | | | plantings and motion sensors on the garage or |
| your entrance door? | | | | carport. Accessories, too, can make a difference. |
| Take photos and not just in daylight. Night photos will | | | | New house numbers, letterbox, door handles and |
| help you figure out whether your lighting is just right | | | | knocker will add that finishing touch. |
| or youâre leaving visitors in the dark. | | | | Now, cross the street and look at your house again. |
| In your assessment, youâre looking for a | | | | Imagine how it will look with the suggested changes. |
| house that is well cared for: No peeling paint, no rusty | | | | Does it compare favourably to your |
| downspouts, no kidsâ toys all over the yard. | | | | neighboursâ homes? Will visitors (and |
| The front fence can be a perfect frame for your | | | | buyers) feel more welcome? If so, itâs time |
| house so make sure itâs clean, stable and in | | | | to get out the hedge cutters, lawn mower and |
| good repair. You may also have to find a new place | | | | hammer and nails and make that dream a reality. |
| to put your trash bins and consider removing some | | | | Leonie Barke is an accomplished Executive Colour |
| of the shrubs and hedges that block the view of the | | | | Consultant with a career spanning over 20 years. She |
| house. | | | | has a BA in Creative Arts and Visual Arts â |
| Actually, landscaping is very important. It | | | | Specialising in the Theory of Colour, and attended the |
| doesnât have to be fancy or expensive, | | | | School of Colour and Design in NSW for 3 years, |
| just tidy and in keeping with the style of your house. | | | | specialising in Colour. |
| It doesnât take long to deadhead flowers, | | | | Leonie worked as Major Colour Consultant on |
| cut the grass, trim hedges or rake leaves, and it will | | | | contract with Dulux for 14 years and was the runner |
| pay off. As well, you can boost your | | | | up winner to the Dulux Colour Awards in 1993 and |
| homeâs street appeal quotient easily and | | | | 1994. She was also the Secretary to the Queensland |
| inexpensively with containers of flowers or grasses | | | | Colour Society from 1993 till 2006. |