For a business owner, architect or developer creating a lasting impression is important when imagining the exterior of a business. The shape and size of a building and its paint color are important but even if you are working with an old building or cannot renovate you can still do a lot with exterior structures and architectural touches.

Small Touches Have A Big Impact

Have you ever heard the saying "don't sweat the small stuff?" Well in this case, ignore it. Small exterior details can be crucial at establishing your business because that's the first impression any prospective customer or client will ever have. Small items like lanterns, posts, mailboxes, window boxes and planters can help create an inviting and classic look without a ton of effort. Planters with flowers or greens flanking an entryway or a beautiful lantern post right out front can give a great boost to your business' curb appeal.

Structural Elements

To make a bigger impact add a larger structure to the exterior of your business. A great investment is an attached or freestanding pergola. This kind of structure creates an exterior space to relax under or a covering to a walk or entryway that is sturdy, refined and long-lasting. Walpole pergolas are crafted in the finest cedar or wood alternative material AZEK, a material that looks and feels like wood but will not rot, split or chip and requires no-maintenance. Another option is to add something smaller but impactful like a beautiful arbor to add interest to an entryway or a trellis above doorways and windows.

Create A Border

Fencing has more power than establishing privacy - it can also be a big factor in increasing curb appeal. A smart, clean, classic fence establishes structure to the exterior of a building and defines the space. The clean lines with posts and pickets add to the positive perception you are trying to create for your prospective clients. Add a unique or eye catching gate or pillars and you can have an enviable entry.

What exactly is architectural interest and why should I care? Simply put architectural interest or architectural detail is simple additions to the structure of your home to make its construction more dynamic and interesting. Adding more architectural detail can take a simple space into one with enormous charm and curb appeal. Small touches can make a space look more unique and pleasing to the eye. Generally to add this interest you work with the structures and angles that already exist on the interior and exterior of your home. Adding some architectural interest to the exterior of your home can really change the look of your space and provide a boost to curb appeal. 

Trellis Systems

A great way to add architectural interest to your homes' exterior is with a trellis system. A trellis is an architectural system that uses clean lines to frame entryways, windows and provide space for climbing plants to flourish on your home. Many homeowners add trellis systems over doorways or windows to heighten the otherwise generic looking space. Trellis systems can add a ton of charm to the exterior of any building with simplicity. 

Architectural Elements

There are many other elements you can utilize when adding architectural interest to your home. You can opt to add stylish raised window panels to enhance the look of your windows. Dentils are also a great way to add some interest to your home. The custom vinyl moldings add a touch of unique detail to cornices. Other architectural upgrades include cellular vinyl fascia boards, rafter tails, corbels, and custom pillar posts. Some large additions can include lovely attached pergolas or entryway structures. 

Creating a beautiful outdoor space is important for homeowners and business owners alike. A striking outdoor space can make your home or business more inviting, boost curb appeal and boost a property's value. Aside from adding larger scale structures like fencing and pergolas you can add immense value by just adding a splash of color. A great way to get that color in a lovely and manageable way is with a planter or lattice panel. Planters and lattice panels give flowers and other plants a contained space to grow and add character. These outdoor tools also make flowers easier to manage and move.

Climbing Plants on Lattice Panels

If you are short on horizontal space go vertical! Dress up an empty exterior wall with a simple lattice panel and let those climbing plants climb! All you have to do is install and start growing - many climbing plants will climb on their own and require only a little trimming as they grow. Lattice is also a great thing to consider when creating any kind of partition. If privacy isn't a huge factor skip the fence and add a larger scale lattice panel or lattice fence. This structural change will allow you some creativity - instead of having a plain fence you can have large space for a variety of lush climbing plants. 

Container Gardens in Planters

If maneuverability is a big concern for you then a planter is a great choice in adding some color and life to your space. Available in a variety of shapes and sizes, planters are an easy all-weather way to add charm to an entryway, porch, or outdoor gathering space. Planters can look great pretty much anywhere - even indoors! Purchasing a versatile and durable planter is ideal so you won't have to worry about unsightly chips and splitting. Walpole planters are made from AZEK wood alternative, a material that is virtually maintenance free and won't warp or rot like wood. These planters can weather just about anything and can be used all year long to add some color. 

Sick of the winter yet? Luckily spring is right around the corner. Start your celebration of the season off with some lovely and inspiring container gardens and arrangements around the exterior of your home. All you need to spruce up your yard in the transitional period is a quality AZEK planter and a little creativity - and maybe a green thumb.

Sunny Yellows

A great idea when creating a container garden is to choose a theme or color and really go for it. Coming from the dreariness of winter a bold bright garden is perfect for elevating your home's exterior and lifting spirits. Plant a number of beautiful yellow flowers, with seasonal greens, in your best planter and put it at your entryway or another location that gets a lot of visibility. Daffodils are perfect for this kind of arrangement because they thrive in early spring and are vibrant in color. You can also choose pansies and crocus, both early spring favorites that bloom in bold yellows. 

Pretty Pinks

What color comes to mind when you think of spring flowers? Chances are it's pink. A great way to welcome the season is with an arrangement of varying shades of pink. This monochromatic look is chic and anything but boring. With the color as the theme you can go crazy with what kinds of flowers you choose trying out different shapes and textures. The only thing you need to consider is the needs of each kind of plant you choose - making sure they are all similar will enable you to keep the arrangement healthy and bold all season long. 

Lush Textures

Another idea for getting that perfect container garden is to really go in on the varieties of plants you are using. One way to achieve a truly lush arrangement is to go with plants that have varying, but complimentary, shapes and textures. Dianthus is a great choice for this kind of arrangement because it looks great planted in close clumps. Another wise choice are snapdragons for their bold colors and unique shape and the always versatile ivy for some delicate hanging pieces. This kind of arrangement would look lovely in a more shapely planter or in a window box. Shop the full line of planters and window boxes on the Walpole Outdoors website and share your spring gardens with us on Facebook or Instagram! 

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Crafting an outdoor space is as much style as it is function. Stylish planters can serve as beautiful accents to other structures or become structures of their own - becoming barriers when placed together on a perimeter or as support when used to construct a self-anchoring pergola. Fencing and railings are beautiful ways to create a perimeter but sometimes a space just calls for a little more.

Need something that will fit in to existing decor style? Walpole will handcraft custom planters in any style and to the dimensions that meet your specific needs. These are crafted in AZEK, a low maintenance material that looks just like natural wood, yet won't rot, crack, or split, and will hold its pristine appearance for years. AZEK planters do not require liners. We will also pre-paint your planters in your choice of more than 100 Sherwin-Williams VinylSafe paint colors, which come with a 25-year warranty.

Planters are also great for their traditional use - beautiful accents to outdoor and indoor areas. Planter gardens add a little splash of life to wherever they are placed and can be moved and changed depending on the season. All planter boxes have pre-drilled drainage holes. For interior use or easy seasonal changes we offer copper and plastic liners for our Small Square Planter, Small Rectangular Planter, and Large Rectangular Planter.

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The ground might be frozen solid and snow may still be in the forecast but you can still get started planning your warm weather outdoor space. Before even breaking ground getting an idea of what you want out of an outdoor space is crucial. Do you need seating? Do you do a lot of cooking? Do you have a pool?

Define The Space

If you are someone who loves to entertain then you probably want ample space for guests and plenty of seating. Outdoor furniture and a defined seating area are important aspects of the space for this use. If you have a pool you might want something shaded to keep cool and perhaps an custom outdoor shower to minimize walks through the house. Think about the space and what kind of use it gets the most. f you cook you might want to create a shaded pergola space with an outdoor kitchen!

Measure And Plan The Main Structure

A great place to start planning is by measuring and deciding on the focal point first. Think about what you need and map it out. If you add a pergola how much space can you accommodate? What style suits your home? Planning the largest aspect of the space first will give you a more realistic idea of how much your space can handle. 

Talk To A Professional

If you don't know exactly what your options are you can always consult a professional. The professionals at Walpole Outdoors are happy to work with you to determine what your space needs and what would best suit your personal style. Professionals can also tell you more on construction, materials and durability to make your decision sound. Schedule a Free Design Consultation to start talking with an expert now!

There is nothing quite as invigorating as being surrounded by beautiful plants and flowers. But how can you create that same feeling inside your home? Not all plants are ideal for inside the home. Many plants and flowers require a great deal of sunlight which can be difficult indoors even next to a window. Luckily not all plants require so much sun. Here are a few that make great indoor plants...

Philodendron

This hearty green is a very popular houseplant for good reason. This vine thrives in low-light meaning it will grow pretty much whatever room it lives in. You can plant philodendron in a pot or get creative and have the vines grow on indoor structures - like an indoor lattice panel - or add it to a hanging basket! This is a hearty plant that really allows you to get creative without killing it. 

Spider Plant

You don't even need to see a photo of this one to imagine how it looks. Spider plants are another super common houseplant that can grow almost anywhere and chances are, you've seen one before. This plant grows long thin leaves in green and yellow with runners on the ends that grow smaller plants. These look especially great in containers like decorative pots and fun hanging planters. 

Palms

There a a myriad of palm varieties and many of them make great houseplants. A palm is a great plant if you are looking for something with a little drama. These plants can grow up to four feet tall but there are shorter varieties if that suits your style more. Taking care of them is a breeze - they only require water when the soil feels dry and need very little light to thrive.

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One of the most popular items this time of year is lighting - lanterns, landscape lighting and so on. Many locations outside your business or home could use some good lighting for safety and enjoyment.

Illuminated Pergola Beams

If you have a pergola or outdoor space like a pavilion or covered patio you would probably like to use it more often past August. These spaces are perfect candidates for new or additional lighting. You can choose to install recessed lighting when you are constructing the structure or add a few mounted lanterns after the fact - either way you are extending the life of your outdoor spaces. This is especially important for bars and restaurants that have outdoor seating and don't want valuable seating space to go to waste once the sun sets before 7. 

Landscape Lighting

If you want to add some substantial lighting to the exterior of your home LED landscape lighting is your best bet. This lighting dramatically transforms your home and yard after dark with energy efficient fixtures. This kind of all-over lighting is also great for home safety deterring burglars and making it easier for guests to see ground level hazards on their way to the door. if you own a business this kind of lighting is essential to keep your exterior noticeable to passersby even after you have closed for the evening. 

Lantern and Post Lighting

A truly functional and versatile way to add some light to your home is with a classic lantern. Whether mounted to your home or on a decorative post lanterns are an efficient, stylish and timeless lighting solution. Light up your front walkway with a classic post-mounted lantern and bring the light to the doorway with a complementing side-mounted lantern beside the front door. The options and uses are pretty endless. side from the classic entry uses lanterns can provide light pretty much anywhere you want them to. Many customers choose to add lanterns to fence posts to illuminate walk and driveway gates and signs as well as to draw attention to beautiful container gardens or structures like arbors and pergolas. Classic or contemporary in a variety of finishes it's impossible not to find the perfect lantern for your home or business.

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Small additions to your home or yard can make a huge impact in how you see your space. One of the best little changes you can make is adding a quality mailbox and mail post. A sturdy and classically designed post will be seen by everyone including you every time you check your mail. So why not enjoy that 60 seconds everyday? Mailboxes and posts also make the perfect gift because it's essentially one-size suits all and it's something that every homeowner needs. The only thing you need to know is the recipients style and home number if you want to add some additional lettering.

The Liberty Mail Post

The most popular of our mail posts is the Liberty Post. The post is crafted in low-maintenance natural wood and wood alternative material AZEK and can withstand any kind of inclement weather. The Liberty Mail Post is beautiful in simplicity and compliments a number of different exterior styles. You can also choose from white, cream, and verde green finishes to better suit your individual style.

Premium Aluminum Mailbox

What would go better with your new Liberty Mail Post than a brand new Aluminum Mailbox? Our Premium Aluminum Mailbox is just one of the mailbox varieties we offer but one of the most popular. The aluminum and stainless steel mailbox comes in black, burgundy, desert sand, green, navy blue and white. No matter what color you choose your mailbox will be handcrafted with strength and durability for years to come.

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Give the gift of a great first impression! This holiday give your friends and family a gift they, and their guests, will see every single day - a custom Walpole doorknocker! Walpole doorknockers are beautifully crafted and one of a kind, taking the shape of classic elements like sailboats, pinecones, and seashells. A doorknocker is the perfect gift - it will add class and style to your friend's or family's home without having to know their size or favorite color! From scallops to sailboats to pine cones to the ubiquitous pineapple, Walpole's doorknockers make a handsome and welcoming adornment. Our doorknockers are sand cast in solid yellow or red brass and lacquered for tarnish resistance. Mounting hardware is supplied for use on wood, metal, or fiberglass composite doors. Here are a few of our classic door knockers.

• Deep Sea Scallop Door Knocker: These hand cast doorknockers are sand cast in solid yellow or red brass and lacquered for tarnish resistance. Mounting hardware is supplied for use on wood, metal or fiberglass composite doors. Yellow Brass 6 3/4" dia.
• Nantucket Basket Door Knocker: Bring a bit of picturesque Nantucket to your front door with this finely crafted doorknocker. Made of brass this unique piece will add a lovely touch to your home's exterior decor.
• Pinecone Door Knocker: The pinecone is one of nature's best decorations, adorning the trees and grass with their unique shape and beauty. Bring that natural beauty to your front door! Made of brass the Walpole pinecone doorknocker looks like the real thing, coated in a beautiful brass finish!
• Pineapple Door Knocker: Sand cast in solid yellow or red brass and lacquered for tarnish resistance, this charming piece would look perfect on your front door, for all to see and use!

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