Valley Cottage Idea Home 2003

Jim Kirkland made a bold, welcoming statement and painted the front a bright red with Ace Paint. The garage door faces the street, so it was important for it to echo the vintage architecture of the home. The carriage-style door from Clopay was a perfect character builder. Minnesota winters can be brutal on siding. So we chose Hardiplank by James Hardie for its curb appeal and low maintenance. This fiber-cement siding has the look and feel of wood, and it's fire-resistant as well. To further enhance the farmhouse look, we added a shed dormer instead of a gable over the garage. Architect Ron Brenner designed more details, including a window box under the dormer window, and shutters flanking the Andersen double-hung windows over the porch. Vertical board- and-batten trim spiffed up the home's gable. White accents the blue Ace-painted siding and the dark-gray roof. The look wouldn't be complete without a porch, an open invitation for gatherings with neighbors.

Read about our other 2003 Idea Home, Prairie Legend