Column: Beyond the door

0

IO-Earley

It’s one of those things we just take for granted … the door. It is a workhorse of the home and expected to perform with ease at the twist of a knob.

Even though the humble door is a functional part of the home, it does deserve an element of style.

Typically the focus on the interior door is limited to new construction. It is during the selection phase that it is discovered that solid wood doors carry a pretty price tag relative to the hollow core doors. It is during that flurry of choices that we must commit to a traditional profile or a modern silhouette.

Like trim or molding, most doors go unnoticed until there is a dramatic reason to focus on it.  Unless building, most of us purchase or rent a home with the doors already installed so we often look right through them.

Remember, even existing doors can be changed!

The standard panel door is fine for bedrooms and closets. Consider that all the doors in a house are not required to be the same. Consider that a door can command attention by its unique nature and architectural detail.

If your home has a space that would benefit from the drama of a decorative door, the style of this new architectural element does need to flow with the rest of the décor.

French doors, when used in an unexpected place, have impact and are reasonably priced. These are doors that have a frame around one or more glass panes that are clear or frosted. There are a variety of styles and sizes of these panels, all of which are meant to maximize the amount of light that enters a room.

The first time I used one of these doors in one of those surprise spots was in place of a door leading to a newly remodeled lower level. This new living space felt far more like the rest of the house than a basement, with the lighter visual weight of the French door!

A heavy wood panel door or inlay can be the unexpected detail in a space, as well. A door with carving will probably be the star of any room!

Heavier molding around a door can have a dramatic impact on the appearance, as well.

If a new door is not an option, the interest can be the result of color. A red door in a gray room is a fabulous modern twist on the usual while a muted accent color brings new life to a more traditional space.

This look can be taken a step further with the addition of nail heads in a pattern. This is a matter of a plan, steady hand and lots of patience!


Current Morning Briefing Logo

Stay CURRENT with our daily newsletter (M-F) and breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox for free!

Select list(s) to subscribe to



By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact
Share.

Current Morning Briefing Logo

Stay CURRENT with our daily newsletter (M-F) and breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox for free!

Select list(s) to subscribe to



By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact