True to form, this clean West Coast mod façade is dominated by right angles and flat surfaces that are hallmarks of contemporary design. But by balancing the cool expanses of stucco and concrete with warm slatted-cedar siding, the look is made softer and more welcoming.

GET THE LOOK: Soho (6JK2-3), Beauti-Tone.

ACCENT/SIDING COLOUR: Steeling Beauty (6L1-7),Beauti-Tone.

Like the best cottage-style homes, this Arts and Crafts bungalow has a laidback vibe that recalls relaxed vacation getaways. A beachy palette of soft blues and greens is a playful departure from the more serious neutrals of trad houses. And while home and garden have a tidy symmetry, accessories are looser and more humble.

GET THE LOOK: Luau Green (SW 6712), Sherwin-Williams.

ACCENT/SIDING COLOUR: Sleepy Blue (SW 6225), Sherwin-Williams.

Painting out the bulk of this house in a warm chalky white unifies the mixed building materials and architectural elements, creating a quiet backdrop for pretty flowers, glossy black planters, a Craftsman-style door in plum and charming peephole windows. Pairing the classic siding with a contemporary standing-seam metal roof means the look will appeal to modernists and traditionalists alike.

GET THE LOOK: Royal Velour (6041-83), Sico.

ACCENT/SIDING COLOUR: Grey Frost (6207-11), Sico.

The grandness of this home’s columned portico, elegant bay windows and Tudor-style peak is tempered by blue-grey trim and black accents, which also highlight the natural beauty of the red brick. Additional touches — like boxwood hedges and buff flagstone paths that mirror the colour of the windowsills — are both elegant and welcoming.

GET THE LOOK: Stiffkey Blue (281), Farrow & Ball.

ACCENT COLOUR: Pitch Black (256), Farrow & Ball.

FORMAL LOOK:
Glossy black has an effortless elegance that transcends trends.
Black Magic (518-7), PPG Pittsburgh Paints.

FUN LOOK:
Cool stone walls get a burst of warmth from cheerful yellow.
Yellow Gold (360D-6), Behr.

FORMAL LOOK:
Mossy green is refined but strikes an organic note.
Inland (6452), Sherwin-Williams.

FUN LOOK:
A zesty orange door gives façades some zing.
Charlotte’s Locks (268), Farrow & Ball.

FUN LOOK:
Preppy kelly green gives classic architecture a fashion forward attitude.
Center Field (7565), Cloverdale Paint.

FORMAL LOOK:
This blue has more pizzazz than navy but looks as tailored as a Savile Row suit.
Venezuelan Sea (2054-30), Benjamin Moore.

Freshen up front doors with a leafy hue. From pale colours that are soft and dreamy to brilliant tropical shades that command attention, green makes a graceful first impression. It’s also a natural neutral, making it easy to pair with your existing trim.

LIGHT & LIVELY LOOK:
A hint of mint green looks demure and romantic paired with off-black.
Door colour, Green Ground (206), siding, Off-Black (57), Farrow & Ball.

BRIGHT & JUICY LOOK:
Mountain Botanical (6010-9), Valspar.

DARK & VELVETY LOOK:
Royal Orchard (UL210-2d), Behr.

FRESH & SOPHISTICATED LOOK:
Napa Valley (90YY 35/304), CIL.

A serene turquoise for the front door gives this entry a fun hit of colour that sets the tone and complements the home’s pale grey siding. Shingle-look siding by James Hardie mimic cedar shakes. Crisp white trim and the front door’s beachy hue further the two-storey house’s welcoming vibe. Playful porthole windows and granite-based pillars frame the front door, while a concrete pathway is a contemporary counterpoint to the home’s traditional façade.

GET THE LOOK: Cook’s Blue (237), Farrow & Ball.

Visit H&H’s Curb Appeal Guide for more ideas and inspiration.