The Wicked Yard

The front of your home is more than just paint, trim and steps. You can create a stunning New England look with aesthetic details around your property that bring beauty and value to your curb appeal.

Updated on August 31, 2021

Like a handshake with a new acquaintance, the curb appeal of your home gives a lasting first impression. It can tell people if your home is well cared for, provide a hint into its charm and style, and bring you a higher return on investment when it's time to sell.

South Hadley, Massachusetts realtor Aimee Kelly knows this. She shows homes to potential buyers every day and sees the looks on their faces when they get their first glimpse of a house for sale. Cracked front steps or a mailbox sitting on a rotting wood post can speak volumes and instantly turn buyers away.

If you've ever seen a set of granite steps, you know their natural beauty enhances the home's appearance. If you own a set of granite steps, you’ve experienced their durability, low-maintenance and long-lasting quality. If you've ever installed a set of granite steps, you know they're heavy. So heavy that in order to install them, a 55,000 pound truck with an 18-foot bed and crane bolted to the back needs to deliver them to the site. That crane can reach 28 feet with about 4,000 pounds (phew!) In order to get these beautiful, durable, long-lasting (and heavy) steps to look the way they do, Swenson Granite Works personnel are trained to install them using certain tools, including straps, clamps, shims, and chisels.

In many ways, a home is your foundation. Having a safe and soundly-built structure brings peace of mind for every design that follows. When it comes to the entryway, a properly constructed base ensures that the steps leading into your home will remain solid for decades. Whether you do it yourself or hire a professional, base preparation for your set of Swenson Granite Works steps is essential.

Cobblestones have been used all over cities and towns as building material and road surfaces since the 19th century. Due to their rich history, old world charm, durability and traction, we still find use of this versatile building material for our homes.

Thanks to the rich colonial history of the New England area, it’s no surprise that the folks who live, work and play here have a love for a true colonial style home that runs deep. Though all homes built in the colonial style share certain common elements, it's the thoughtful use of other, time-honored materials and features that makes each of these homes truly one-of-a-kind.

If you’ve revamped your landscaping, but still feel like your house could use more curb appeal, it just might be time to give your exterior a makeover. With stone veneer and granite, you can make a big transformation to the look and value of your home.

From country meadows to city streets, granite posts are a durable design element that gives style and definition to homes and businesses, with no maintenance needed.

Granite lamp posts are a great way to light up city parks, along community sidewalks or trails, and they add a touch of elegance to a variety of municipal areas. If you reside out in the country without the added glow from the city, or even in the suburbs, granite lamp posts are essential for lighting your landscape and making your home safer in an attractive way. Not only do granite lamp posts increase visibility, they’re durable, maintenance free, and will enhance the look of your property during the day and at night.

Updated on March 15, 2021

The entryway to your home starts well before you step foot inside the front door. First impressions are made prior to guests entering your living space, and how you choose to complement your exterior can make a world of difference.

Your front steps are quite literally the walkway into your most cherished space, so performance is as important as presentation. The path leading into your home is both high visibility and high usage — and therefore needs durability, functionality, and appearance.