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16 BRANDYWINE VALLEY HOMEADELYN DUCHALA CURB APPEAL1. WALK THIS WAYIf your home is on the older side, you may have an original concrete walkway leading to the front door. %u201cAfter 15 years or so, the concrete tends to erode, settle or sink,%u201d says Ashley Poli of West Chester%u2019s Couture Grounds. %u201cA new walkway with pavers ensures a longer life expectancy and an aesthetic look.%u201d 2. CREATE A FOCAL POINT Planting a statement tree or shrub is a great way to elevate your exterior and anchor its design. %u201cChoose a variety that offers unique features like striking foliage, colorful blooms or an interesting shape,%u201d says Roots Landscape Inc.%u2019s Nathan Tuno, who recommends a Southern magnolia, weeping cherry, Kousa dogwood or American redbud. 3. TAKE BACK THE FRONT YARD %u201cModern zoning and homeowners%u2019 association regulations have driven most outdoor activities to the backyard, yet the front yard often constitutes a large percentage of the total property,%u201d says Maffei Landscape Design%u2019s Danilo Maffei. %u201cWith thoughtful planning, you can transform the front yard from static to dynamic.%u201d Maffei suggests a small patio, a walkway or a seating area. 4. PLANT ROOTSAdd planters around your entryway. Tuno suggests large, oversized containers next to smaller planters filled with color, foliage and texture. 5. DON%u2019T FUSS OVER YOUR MAILBOX%u201cIt doesn%u2019t need to be celebrated with its own garden,%u201d says Maffei. %u201cIf the space truly requires it, create an arrival garden that defines the threshold between the street and your property.%u201d 6. GET OUT OF THE DARK%u201cLow-voltage landscape lighting significantly impacts your home%u2019s curb appeal while providing safety and security,%u201d says Poli. 7. CELEBRATE THE SEASONSConsider flowering shrubs or ornamental grasses. %u201cLook for perennials that need minimal maintenance, like Russian sage, lamb%u2019s ear and Heuchera,%u201d Tuno says. %u201cEvergreen shrubs like mahonia, Osmanthus and variegated boxwood add that extra touch of texture and form.%u201d BY GINA LIZZO FIRST IMPRESSIONS ARE EVERYTHINGSeven tips and tricks to enhance your home%u2019s wow factor.