2009 Home Improvement Challenge: Grand Prize Winner and More of Our Favorites

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Grand Prize Winner: Identity Restored

This Venice, California, house returned to its 1912 roots with a new porch that stretches the width of the facade and a projecting gable that emphasizes the entrance. The second story, added in the 1980s, now looks like it belongs to the house, integrated via a new covering of shingles, correctly proportioned windows, and a deep roof overhang. Vanilla trim accents the sage-stained cedar shingles and siding. Instead of painting the window muntins and sashes the same creamy color, owners Dana Liston and David Ellis painted them an adventurous purple. Up close, it's a fun accent; from a distance the windows become larger, simpler shapes, avoiding a busy look.