It’s amazing what fresh paint, a new garage door, and carefully curated accent pieces can do for a home’s curb appeal.
Digital creator Michelle Janeen has been sharing the transformation of her San Diego fixer-upper with her Instagram followers since 2014.
She readily admits that when she first saw the house she wasn’t sold on the style, but like they say in real estate, a great location is everything. (And a bulldozer wasn’t in the budget.)
BEFORE: This San Diego house has a great location with incredible views. All it needed was some imagination.
The home’s original clay tile roof set the stage for an exterior makeover influenced by Michelle’s favorite aspects of Spanish colonial style along with some modern coastal elements.
The garage door is the first thing guests see when they pull into the driveway so getting the right look was important.
Michelle originally wanted a Clopay Coachman steel carriage style door. When the team at San Diego Door Pros saw the other exterior materials she had chosen, they recommended a Clopay Canyon Ridge carriage house garage door instead.
Clopay Canyon Ridge (5-Layer) carriage house garage door, Design 13 with REC14 windows, in a custom stain finish.
Canyon Ridge faux wood garage doors are constructed in a low-maintenance, moisture-resistant composite that won’t rot, warp or crack. The engineered material is molded from actual wood planks, providing an authentic wood grain look and texture. Like wood, it can be painted, stained or primed.
“I feel like the faux wood is a better representation of a Spanish home compared to a steel garage door,” Michelle said. “I love that it has the warm, rustic look of natural wood but not the maintenance.”
The house is getting closer to her vision. She’s added a reclaimed timber beam over the garage door, as well as tile and a new light fixture to the front entry.
On her Instagram, Michelle promotes practicing the art of patience when it comes to home design…progress over perfection.
One choice she is certain of: upgrading the garage door is one of the best decisions she has made to update her home’s curb appeal.
Watch @michelle_janeen’s exterior highlights reel.
Want to know more about garage door styles and materials? Browse our Garage Door Buying Guide.
All photos courtesy Michelle Janeen.
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