I'm finally getting around to posting about a few front door changes that we made. It's funny how when you see something everyday you just get used to how it looks. This door wasn't bright red when we first painted it but it wasn't mauve either! I really dislike mauve. I was shocked at the difference after putting the first coat on.
The paint I used was from Home Depot and it was Valspar Duramax exterior satin finish. The name was Quite Red. The mixing numbers are: Magenta Base 114-19, 105-1.88, 217-1Y26.25. Sorry, no picture of the top of the can!
To say I was pleasantly surprised with the color choice is an understatement. In our family, everyone has an opinion and picking out a paint color for the front door was no different. So on one of our weekend trips to Home Depot everyone grabbed their picks which were all different shades of red.
We came home, taped them all to the front door and walked down the sidewalk so we were a good ways from the front porch and started picking our favorites. After just a few minutes we all had our choice narrowed down to just two color swatches. Our youngest daughter's color pick won! I really wish I had taken a picture with all those swatches on the front door...hindsight!
It didn't take long at all to get it all painted.
A little Before and After.
I really thought I was in love with the color before and was somewhat hesitant in changing it, but now I'm so happy that we did. And we did it as a family!
If you look again at the Before & After photo you might notice that it looks like I took our curtains down in the After photo. I didn't. Our home gets the west hot summer sun, so we really need those but I really wanted it to appear from outside that they were bare.
I remembered back to when some friends built their home and had dummy dormers. They painted the inside of the windows black so you couldn't see into the attic spaceand it looked great from the road.
I took that idea and put it to use with the current curtains that were hanging there. No I didn't paint them black! Ha! But I did line them with a black sheet that I had packed away in the attic. Now, from the inside of the house you see linen curtains cinched on two rods {sorry no pic} and the outside looks like they are bare windows.
Can't even tell there are curtains there can ya? We etched those sidelight windows right after we moved in with an etching spray we bought at Hobby Lobby. Seriously, took like 30 minutes.
Because of our busy lives it seems we can never ever finish a project in just one weekend, but we did eventually add house numbers, a door knocker and a new door pull.
As you can see by the decorations, fall has arrived! I'll be sharing more of our porch when I host the N-S-E-W Thanksgiving Traditions Link party on November 14th - 20th.
Hope you enjoyed seeing our front door makeover!
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I have been reading your blog for a few months and just wanted to tell you that I love everthing that you do. I love that you are local so I know the places that you mention. I painted my front door red when we built our house 13 years ago and so many of our neighbors thought I was crazy. I love Red Doors.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing what such a slight color change can do! I love the red door and your porch looks great all dressed up for fall. I really want to add numbers to our front door too. Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteThis is really great, and perfect timing! Our door looks almost exactly the same as yours does, except it's the boring old cream/white color from the factory. I've been wanting to paint if for a few years now, and red is one of the colors on my list!!! Thanks for the color number, I will check that out. I was wondering if I should paint the side window frames too, or just leave them white (our siding is almost the same color as the door). I like the way yours looks, so I will definitely paint those too. I was also wondering about the inside. Did you paint the inside of the door the same color as the outside, or paint it to match the walls inside the house? I'm not sure what to do there.
ReplyDeleteWe used the window film to cover our side windows because it's pretty much impossible to find decent curtains for those without spending a fortune. I don't like the film because I can't see out (we need a peep hole). I want to make some curtains this winter, thanks for the tip about putting black fabric on the back, great idea!!!
I also love the door knocker and new pull you added, I didn't think about doing that, very cute touch!
Amy
P.S. You need to add some gardens in your front yard, it's a blank canvas! :-)
It looks great. I love red front doors-I have one too. The finish with all the hardware looks fantastic!
ReplyDeleteYour door tuned out very nicely.
ReplyDeleteClydia, I have always loved red doors; and yours is no exception! I have a couple of red choices lined up for when I decide to take the plunge. Yours looks great!
ReplyDeleteI love that shade of red!!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely stunning! I love your beautiful vibrant choice of color! Your front door offers the warmest of welcomes.
ReplyDeleteHappy Rednesday!
Carolynn
I've always wanted a red door! Lucky you! It looks great!
ReplyDeleteClassic! I love it :)
ReplyDelete-Fotini
Oh Ya, great before and after, plus the red door is so wonderful against the house colors!
ReplyDeleteLove your after!! Paint always makes such a big change!! I love how the windows look with the black lined curtains! Your home looks so inviting and cheery :)
ReplyDelete