Recently, I was studying our house from the street and came to the conclusion that it could pack more of a punch in the curb appeal department. It's a pretty house and we like it a lot, but the design is relatively flat with no veranda or dormers or multi-level roofs to give it interest. All of the ways I thought of to create depth involved some pretty expensive architectural changes, except for one: paint the front door. It's currently a tired shade of white - in fact, it's not even painted. The previous owners only primed it! So it needs to painted anyway, and at some point we may make a major change to the front of the house. But after just having a baby, the $25 fix is mighty appealing.
If you read my post on how to pick paint colors for an interior room, you might guess I didn't rush out willy-nilly to the nearest home improvement store and bring home just any old can of paint. Oh no. There's a process.
1. I looked at the colors in the stone surrounding the front door. Shades of brown and gray were predominant.
2. Then I went to paint section of Lowe's and grabbed about 50 swatches. I was pretty sure that red was going to be our new front door color, but just in case, I also chose many different tones of brown, blue and gray.
If you read my post on how to pick paint colors for an interior room, you might guess I didn't rush out willy-nilly to the nearest home improvement store and bring home just any old can of paint. Oh no. There's a process.
1. I looked at the colors in the stone surrounding the front door. Shades of brown and gray were predominant.
2. Then I went to paint section of Lowe's and grabbed about 50 swatches. I was pretty sure that red was going to be our new front door color, but just in case, I also chose many different tones of brown, blue and gray.
3. With swatches in hand, I stood at the edge of our property. With one eye closed and one arm outstretched, I held various swatches in front of the door, immediately eliminating the ones that wouldn't work.
4. I still wasn't ready to make choice out of the final three. So I took pictures so I could ruminate further at a later time. These are three that made the cut:
4. I still wasn't ready to make choice out of the final three. So I took pictures so I could ruminate further at a later time. These are three that made the cut:
5. My husband vetoed the red right off the bat. Though I'm still intrigued by the unforgettable wow factor it could give the house, I have this fear that the sun will fade it to some awful shade of Pepto Bismol pink. And we absolutely cannot have that. The lighter gray is too flat. So 'Cracked Pepper' is the winner!
6. The next step is to check out some websites that have tips on how to paint an exterior metal door. There is one from the DIY network that looks comprehensive but easy to follow.
7. Before tackling the front door, I'll practice on the door leading from the garage to the house, and let you know how it all turns out. To be continued!
If you've had experience with painting your exteriors doors, I'd love to hear about it. Feel free to comment on this post!
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Brilliant! I absolutely LOVE the swatch, eye closed, photo method. You are my hero. Oh...and the red? FABULOUS! Any chance you can override his VETO?
ReplyDelete- Loren
Thanks, Loren! I'm glad you see what I see in the red. I could veto the veto, but then I shouldnt have asked for his opinion :) Besides, it's all good in the spirit of compromise. I like Cracked Pepper in a quiet, understated elegance sort of way. But it's also the safe choice, maybe too safe? The red is warm, vibrant and inviting.
ReplyDeleteHmmmm . . . perhaps it would be good to show him the pictures one more time. I could always argue that the red door would mimic the maroon undertones in our greenery, which just happens to be true!