Try approachable instead of "impressive"...

The first thing that popped into my head after snapping this photograph in Naperville's Historic District was how approachable this house seemed with the addition of a simple portico. Historically, houses in northern climates limited the size of covered entries to allow more sunlight to penetrate into the house on cold winter days.

Detached garages - really!

While strolling the streets of Seaside, Florida, the first New Urbanist Community, my eyes were naturally drawn to this scene...a beautiful house with a well-detailed detached garage pushed all the way to the back property line. Before you say “that wouldn’t work in a typical suburban neighborhood!” think back to the movie Father of the Bride and tell me you can’t see the benefits!…back yards are over-rated anyway…and just think of the new interior wall of natural light you’ll get…not to mention the classic side entry kitchen. It’s one of the reasons historic neighborhoods are more neighborly…you can’t just hop in your car, open the garage door and speed off for the day!