Southeast : WINNING HOME

An award-winning house--it’s a vision that drives ordinary homeowners to spend hours matching paint samples, debating the merits of granite vs. marble, and various shades of bougainvillea.

Now imagine the challenge of winning such an award in a city populated by nearly identical tract homes.

Take Lakewood, where two-thirds of the housing stock was built from just seven floor plans. About 450 residents entered the annual city-sponsored Lakewood Beautiful contest.

So what does it take to win in the midst of uniformity?

Landscaping, said city spokesman Don Waldie. For Harold and Cornellia Koops, that meant pink impatiens, a little Dutch windmill, new windows and a generally manicured appearance. More importantly, it meant the services of 28-year-old son Roger, who enjoys yardwork and painting.

The Koops’ house on Claretta Avenue was one of three “classic” Lakewood homes chosen for a grand prize. For their son’s effort, the Koops and five other grand prize winners were awarded a clock, a plaque and a professional color photograph of the house. . . .