Wednesday
Mar042009
My front door
Wed, 4 Mar 2009This is just a quick post to document one of the many MANY things I need to do something about in my house. It's the front door. I have to say it's a pretty nifty looking door, and although the inspector I had in here when I was buying the house said I should replace it with a better door (in terms of being better insulated), I cannot bring myself to do that. You don't find doors like this at Home Depot.
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One thing I have to keep in mind is the fact that this door opens right into the living room. So whatever I do to it will have to work with the space. The little windows in the door are unfortunately not glass but plastic, and yellow. Not sure if I should work with that or replace them/cover them up somehow. I found a very inspirational photo here a while back, and can't get it out of my head. How freaking cute is this door?!
I'd love to hear your ideas on what I could do with this blast from the past door.
Reader Comments (38)
mmm. paint it black. but that's my thing now. PAINT EVERYTHING BLACK!...erinn
If it were my house, I would most likely replace the plastic with pretty glass and simply give the door itself a thorough refinishing, but leave it in its wood finish, rather than paint.
If it were my house, I would most likely replace the plastic with pretty glass and simply give the door itself a thorough refinishing, but leave it in its wood finish, rather than paint.
What a great piece. Love that it's not just a "stock" door. I agree that you should probably replace the plastic with glass. A little sanding and a new staining, would pretty it up for sure.
It has some great texture and shape. I would paint it white - it would give it a more modern look, but still keep the charm. If you can replace the windows with glass, I would do that, otherwise, you might try covering them up with teeny tiny curtains. I see people do that with doors and it's super cute.
I agree. Replace that plastic with glass. I replaced my plain glass with leaded art glass. It's beautiful, reflects the history of my house, and gives privacy. It's as beautiful as any framed art on my walls.
I LOVE the door! If you do anything, I would replace the plastic with glass. And instead of sanding it down, just wipe it very clean and do a black wash paint over it to bring out all of the scratches/dents/whatever to make it look extremely old and authentic.
So far it's looking like I better replace the plastic windows, and surprisingly no one is suggesting anything as bold as the photo. Hmmmmmm.....
Go bold! Go bold! (Only cause I've seen the door up close)
I had the yellow glass replaced at my house, and it wasn't very expensive. They just come to your house and pop it in. That would looks like gloomy 70s wood, so paint it white or bright!
LOVE your door inspiration - no wonder you can't get it out of your head! I have always loved bright bold statement doors.. red perhaps?
Kim, I love the yellow door idea! Also, I'll just go against the tide and offer a link to ... yes... plastic! http://www.lumicor.com/ Have you ever seen lumicor? I'm seeing it in all sorts of applications. I love the pressed ginkgo leaves series.. and the Asian touch would hint at the kitchen you have inside. But I really love the yellow example you gave, too. Cheers, Ruth.
I vote for color! If not 2-hues then all white or all black. With clear glass inserts. Great door!
I'm not sure what the color scheme in your living room is, but I would definitely go bold! It's such a lovely design, it deserves all the attention it can get.
Rather than replacing the yellow plastic, I would work it in somehow... really, if you can pull it off, a sunshine-yellow front door would be very cute and welcoming. :]
who knew orange and pink together could be so charming? my vote is for color of some kind, definitely.
I would paint it a glossy black with the fancy carved squares a flat white (warm or cool white would depend on your other decor). It would be ideal to replace the yellow plastic with frosted glass with transparent bevelled edges. Its all in the detail!
Id paint it gloss white and paint the detail panels in a bolder color(id use turquoise myself,but im currently obsessed)Pretty much the same as the inspiration shot actually only the panels would jump out more with the white background.
I would clean it up really well and replace the plastic with glass. I don't know that I would paint it. I like wood even when it is ruff and beat up.
I would look at buying a storm door for the outside to help with insulation issues.
Thank you everyone for all the great ideas. You've given me so many different ones - it'll be hard to choose. One thing I'm thinking I can't do is restain it. There are so many scratches that once I patched them all, I think I'd have to use paint to cover it all up. I am pretty sold on replacing the plastic with some funky stained/leaded glass.
I really have to say that the door is beautiful as-is (with the exception of the yellow plastic windows). By all means, replace them, but leave the door the way it is, with its charm intact.
Leaded/stained glass would be a great way to accessorize the door and keep it in tune with the living room. Storms and edging insulation should solve the worst of your problems with heat escaping.
I would replace the front door with something better insulated and then reuse this door inside with a sliding barn-door hinge. That way you can enjoy it's beauty all the time, not just coming and going PLUS enjoy the energy savings.
I agree! All black with glass windows.
That is a gorgeous door (minus the plastic). I vote for light sanding/ restain. 2nd choice would be a wash to let the wood grain shine. The trend to paint or wallpaper over wood feels little "teen" and you might grow tired of those wacky colors in a year. Love your site. It's my first-thing-in-the-morning read.
Thanks Daniele!
Anon, the barn door idea is a very cool one and I'd LOVE to do that but all the doors needing replacing are upstairs (except one downstairs which is a pocket door) and it's VERY narrow up there since the house is only 12" wide so I'm going to do all pocket doors. It would make a great dining table top with a sheet of glass on top!
Hmmm... in the Beach neighborhood in Toronto there are all sorts of cute little homes with BRIGHT doors... And they look amazing!
Think crimson, electric blue, sunlight yellow. I think you should pick a bright blue glossy paint but keep the carved insets in wood (just refinished).
Also, many of these home have really elegant stained/etched glass windows. I think these would really work on this door!