Showing posts with label Belhaven. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Belhaven. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

The Curb Appeal of Doors

Yesterday, I drove to Jackson to run some errands, and decided to drive through one of Jackson's oldest and most charming neighborhoods, a place called Belhaven.

If you are a regular visitor to Southern Lagniappe, you may recall another post in which I featured a photo tour of some of the houses in Belhaven, called A Ride Through Belhaven. You can click on the link if you would like to read that post before you read this one.

I think I could go to Belhaven every week and find new things to photograph. It is such an interesting place, and its residents range from young families who have remodeled some of the older homes, to students attending Belhaven College (around which the area was developed), to senior citizens, some of whom have probably lived there all their lives. Belhaven is also home to several artists, and their creativity is reflected in some of the more eccentric landscaping and yard art.

When it comes to curb appeal, the first thing I usually notice about a house is the landscaping, and secondly, the entrance and front door. Yesterday, I focused my attention on the doors in Belhaven, and found quite a few that stood out, some because of color and some because of their uniqueness.

And speaking of "unique" ... I'm not sure what style you would call this door, but isn't it impressive. You can click on the pictures to enlarge them, if you'd like.

Here's another unusual entrance that has an angel welcoming visitors to the house ...

I love the little window and the metal bird attached to it.

This next house has tons of curb appeal, in my opinion. Although the front was mostly a paved courtyard area, its landscaping and classic black door caught my attention.

I love the olive green columns against the terra cotta trim on this house ...

And just look at that neat plant stand under the window!

I like the contrast of the gray and white trim against the blue on this house, plus the elegant trim over the door. And, of course, that huge old oak tree doesn't hurt its curb appeal either.

When I was editing my pictures, I was surprised and sorry to see that I didn't get a picture of the house that went along with this pretty front door. I'll have to go back sometime and take one to add to this post. I love the vines gracing the columns!

There were quite a few very colorful doors, ranging from cobalt blue and fuchsia, to salmon and bright red.

I think one of the most welcoming colors for front doors is yellow, and I love this door, especially its pretty basket of real plants and ivy-covered brick steps leading up to the porch.


This one reminds me of the 4th of July. Isn't it pretty!

I love the iron accents on this unique pair of gates leading into a backyard. I may have to use that idea somewhere!

One of my most favorite houses in Belhaven is this beautiful little cottage.

I would love to see a vine growing around the door, but perhaps the homeowner doesn't want to encourage "critters" to take up residence in a vine. (See my post called A Close Encounter of the Worst Kind)


I always love going to Belhaven, and, like I said before, I believe I could go two or three times a week and never fail to find new and interesting things to photograph there. I think I'll plan to go back in October. Can't you just picture those houses and doors decorated for Fall. I can't wait!

Friday, April 2, 2010

A Ride through Belhaven

I recently had some time to kill before an appointment in Jackson, Mississippi, and rode through one of my favorite neighborhoods in Jackson -- Belhaven. Centered around Belhaven College, the houses in Belhaven range from large colonials to charming little to cottages that stand out because of their uniqueness.

The most famous house in Belhaven is the home where Mississippi's beloved Eudora Welty lived for over 76 years of her life.

Miss Welty wrote stories about the South, and her book, The Optimist's Daughter, won the Pulitzer Prize in 1973. Her house is a National Historic Landmark and open to the public as a museum.

Here's another impressive house that caught my eye ...

But as I drove through the charming streets of Belhaven, I found myself drawn to some of the more, shall we say "unique" houses and "yardscapes."

This boldly painted little cottage is my favorite ...

Just look at that sweet little table and chairs. It looks as if they are expecting company for a tea party at any moment.

And I love the imagination and ingenuity that went into the creation of this fence made of sticks ...

Down the street and around the corner, I found this pretty little cottage, and did a double take when I saw the "yard art" displayed in the front yard. I would love to know the story behind that "fish lady."

The pretty red door and shutters on this little house caught my attention at first glance ...

And then I noticed its yard art, and slowed down for a closer look.

I love cobalt garden accessories, and this "yardscape" called for a closer look, too.

And here's the unusual, but pretty, house it belongs to ...

And speaking of cobalt, everything on the porch of this house was cobalt blue, including the metal chairs, blue swing, cobalt planters, and a bottle tree with cobalt bottles. I thought it was interesting that the shutters and steps were painted purple.

I hope you enjoyed my little tour of this charming area of Jackson. I plan to go back again soon when I have more time to explore it.