Get More Curb Appeal

What We Can Do for You

Get More Curb Appeal, LLC, is the only online design service that offers both exterior home makeovers AND landscape plans. For a fraction of the cost required by an architect, residential designer, or landscape architect, we can create customized plans for you that any builder, remodeler, or landscape installer can follow.

Who We Are

Another unique distinction about Get More Curb Appeal is that its four partners collectively share 41 years of experience working at Southern Living magazine. Consisting of Jason Somerville, a horticulturalist from Clemson University; Robert Martin, a residential designer from Auburn University; builder / New Homes Specialist Ada Love, also a graduate from Auburn; and expert gardener Julie Thaxton, this talented team knows what homeowners are looking for to improve their homes’ exteriors.

Ada Love

President, Director of Business Development

Ada Love has over 26 years of diversified builder, developer, and real estate marketing experience.  Her savvy business acumen, paired with the understanding that houses aren’t just a place to live – they’re an extension of one’s identity – has made her a sought-after industry leader.  As Director of Builder Operations & Special Projects for Arvida Company, one of the largest residential developers in the South, Ada’s commitment to excellence was recognized both on a local and national level. Ada’s projects have been featured in the Southern Living magazine plan page, House Plans magazine, Cooking Light magazine and many local publications.

Lured to work for Southern Progress Corporation, publishers of Southern Living, Coastal Living, Cooking Light, Sunset and Health titles, she became Builder Programs Manager. There she not only implemented the Lowes Show Home program and Custom Home program, but gained the attention of the Southern Living editorial staff, advertisers, developers and other builders. The 1995 Lowe’s Program built 19 Show Homes across the South showcasing Lowe’s products to the consumer in a real home setting – an industry first on that scale.

As Vice President, Sales & Marketing, for Venture Homes, and then Senior Vice President, New Homes Director for Jenny Pruitt & Associates, Ada stayed focused on what buyers wanted. Responsible for re-building the New Homes Services department, Ada expanded the firm’s offerings to include land acquisition, feasibility projects, extensive market research, builder programs and management, product development, design standards, community marketing and umbrella campaigns, event planning and agent promotions providing full service to builders and developers. She also established the Jenny Pruitt New Homes Services City Collection to support In-town Mixed Use and Condominium communities.  Today, her passion for all things home continues.

Robert C. Martin

Vice President, Head Residential Designer

As a successful residential designer, home-improvement consultant, and former Architecture Editor for Southern Living magazine, Robert (Rob) Martin has a true passion for residential design, particularly when it comes to renovations. Fully believing that everyone deserves affordable and effective ways to improve their homes, Rob – along with his business partners – knows that Get More Curb Appeal is the perfect way to make these improvements achievable.

A 1992 graduate from Auburn University’s School of Architecture, Rob began his professional career as a field architectural draftsman for the Historic American Engineering Record (HAER), a division of the National Park Service.  For the next 8 years, he worked at McKinney Frese Harsh Architects / Interior Design, a Birmingham-based firm. Here, he designed and oversaw the construction of custom residential projects, produced construction documents and models, and guided clients through the complex process of construction. When he moved on to Southern Living in 2000, Rob called upon another one of his strengths, writing, to further develop and convey his architectural knowledge. He wrote feature articles for the magazine, oversaw the annual Southern Living Home Awards program, and served as editor for the Southern Living House Plans publications. Along the way, Rob has also traveled extensively throughout the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and Mexico, enabling him to see, scout, and experience great architecture firsthand.

Jason Somerville

Vice President, Head Landscape Designer

Jason Somerville was raised in the Lowcountry of South Carolina where he gained an appreciation for Southern culture and the outdoors. The diverse flora and fauna of the beaches, marshes, and surrounding environments piqued his interest in the natural world.

Jason earned a Bachelor of Science in Horticulture from Clemson University, where he also minored in Urban Forestry. Focusing on residential landscape design, this direction fostered Jason’s belief in helping communities create sustainable environments in their own gardens that benefit both the homeowner and surrounding wildlife.

Upon graduation, Jason joined Southern Living magazine as a designer for their Custom Landscape Plan service, where he created site-specific landscape plans for readers who wanted their gardens to look like those in Southern Living. Working at Southern Living allowed Jason to reach homeowners from a wide area of regions and climates.

Julie Thaxton

In-house Garden & Landscaping Expert

As upbeat and quick-witted as she is knowledgeable, Julie Thaxton can easily be regarded as “a landscape’s best friend.” Holding both a bachelor and master of science in horticulture, along with clocking in over twenty years of industry experience, Julie is most happy when she can use her extensive gardening know-how to help others. That’s why we’re so proud at Get More Curb Appeal to have her on our team.

An award winning garden designer, Julie specializes in residential design and is a passionate DIYer. Chances are, whatever problem or question homeowners encounter concerning their yards, she’s been there, and is ready to guide them through the planting process. So, instead of turning your yard into a futile experiment, take the guessing game out of things – ASK JULIE!