Nothing says "Welcome" like a well-dressed deck. Placing emphasis on the main entry helps to give guests a sense of arrival plus it provides you, the homeowner, with a solid landing where you can leave stresses of the day behind and recognize "ah, I'm at home now."

Typically, what I see home owners do is place urns and hanging baskets of flowers on either side of the driveway. This places emphasis on the garage- usually not the most appealing part of a home. Instead, place emphasis on the entry and the dwelling, and highlight where the real heart lies.

Paint the door: Here we used black because it adds a striking accent to the gray siding. The door is a perfect place to introduce an interior accent colour and really establish the house's (and the owner's) personality. A painted door also places more significance on the dwelling proclaiming "this is where you enter, and be welcome."

Fill the pots:ˇ­ with your favourite flowers, ornamental grasses or leafy plants. Metal pots, terra cota pots, plastic pots - whatever you wish - look terrific on a deck. Use contrasting colours, a mix of pastels or a variety of green tones. The terra cota pots on this deck hold two varieties of coleus, a calla lily and elephant ears. Make sure you pick plants according to their preference for shade or sun.

Hang a basket: Baskets of flowers burst with colour and texture, soften corners and provide a vertical accent which allows the eye to move upward. Three baskets of wine red lophospermum and pink calibrochoa line the hand rail on this deck. There are many varieties of pre-potted baskets available at your local garden store. Most require fertilizing on a regular basis. Make sure you note the type of fertilizer your baskets require in order for them to bloom continuously and thrive on your deck. In Alberta, frost is still a threat so make sure you bring your baskets in at night.

Set a spell: A little seating area on the deck is a wonderful spot to sip your coffee, read a magazine or watch the world go by. On this relatively small deck we placed a cedar chair with a side table to the left of the door. If you have room, consider a little bistro style table and chairs, and place a vase of fresh cuts flowers in the centre.

Perk up your mail box: The ever practical receptacle for flyers, papers and mail has become the latest accent piece for your front door. The styles, shapes and colours available now have broken the mould of your basic brass box with stirrups on the base. Check out what's on the shelf at Restoration Hardware or your local home improvement centre.

. a mat to accent your deck floor

. add lanterns or candles

.  for a larger deck, place a swinging bench

.  install a porch light that amplifies your style

.  paint the trim, decking and rails

.  use other accents like vintage milk containers, plaques, statuary or wicker baskets