Usually I’m pretty fixated on lovely interiors, but occasionally the exterior of a home sweeps me off my feet. I am not a city girl. Don’t think I ever will be. But if anything could sway me it might be absolutely gorgeous multistory façades like this one. Where does one begin describing all the beautiful things about this London building? The most striking thing to me is the wonderful sharp contrast between the white paint and the warm brick. All that architectural detail is just amazing.

Here’s a totally different kind of multistory dwelling. I can just imagine how nice it would be to drive up to this French home. I am a huge fan of climbing vines and greenery in general, and the abundant plant life on this building is really what makes it. It would be so different, much more bland and unwelcoming, if it weren’t for the plants.

What beautiful surroundings this South Carolinian home has. Normally I’m not so drawn to the flat-fronted colonial look, but this one oozes plenty of charm. If you had to live in one of these three homes, which would you choose? I’m torn between this one and the second one. With a different color on the shutters I’d probably pick the second.

one // via Roost
two // D.mesure via desire to inspire
three // Historic Charleston Foundation via Savvy Home

Last night I was laying in bed thinking about how badly I’d like to “get away”. I imagined sitting somewhere warm with a cool breeze, no sound but that of the birds singing and wind in the trees, a spot to sit and let my mind be calmed by the serenity of my surroundings. Then I grinned when I realized that in a month I will be here:

That’s the view from the porch of the cottage my boyfriend and I are renting for a week in August. And we will be a short drive or bike ride away from this:

It’s about as idealistic as it gets and we don’t even have to travel far! This is just three hours north on the coast of Lake Michigan in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Sleeping Bear Dunes is considered one of the most beautiful places in America. I have lived in Michigan my whole life yet never been there. I can barely contain my excitement. Not only will be there be no end to stunning natural beauty and charming locales, a week off is something both of us will really cherish.

I’m not sure why daydreaming about my impending vacation made me think about architecture and exterior design, but it seems to fit somehow. For folks like me part of the fun of traveling is seeing how other people live, and architecture is key.

This home is so beautiful! I love the gray, black, and white palette, and you can tell these homeowners get a lot of sunlight through those windows. Photographed by Laura Moss for New England Home via nicety.

Oh what loveliness. Sometimes weathered old surfaces are just perfect. Via buddha interiors.

I’m pretty enamored with this façade. I love houses with multiple peaks and varying levels, and the mix of siding materials works well too. By ML Interior Design.

I mean seriously. Dusty pink buildings can pretty much just count on winning my heart. It’s in France so of course it’s lovely. Photographed by Jose Villa via vmac+cheese.

The same goes for minty green buildings. With black shutters no less. Matchbook Magazine via My Favorite and My Best.

This is the sort of sweet, countryside, humble yet enchanting look I’m feeling right now. Which is your favorite? Photographed by Bob O’Connor for Boston Magazine.

So it’s gray skies and pouring rain outside and I have a flat tire. Not the greatest morning ever. I am trying not to let the circumstances bum me out too much, because life’s too short to spend it feeling sorry for yourself. It’s hard though. I have the worst luck with tires!

Today I have for you a lovely collection of exterior shots. Enjoy!

A grand and beautiful entrance. Via Design Darling.

Via my ideal home.

Homes that are humble in size can have fantastic curb appeal too.  Via desire to inspire.

This home looks fabulous at night thanks to all those lights. Via nicety.

This home reminds me of a castle, and I love that. The variations in material and intricate architecture are endlessly charming. And it’s in the mountains. So enviable. Via my ideal home.

Big but not foreboding. Sleek but not stark. And totally luxurious. Photographed by Robertino Nikolic via Schöner Whonen.

I think this is the only façade in today’s batch that could be described as modern, which is interesting because previously I gravitated mostly towards the modern look. My tastes really are evolving! What I like about this home is the interesting windows and most of all the sweet planters bursting with plants. Great tree too. By LineBox Studio via desire to inspire.

Out of all of these, this is the one that I think I would choose for myself. I like the varied roof lines, the generous staircase up to what looks like a very nice deck, the well-placed bushes and trees, and most of all the windows! Via desire to inspire (follow the link for a shocking “before” photo of this home!).