Hello!
I hope you are all enjoying your week...
I wanted to share a few images of two antique french doors we refinished this spring...
I talked my husband into sanding these doors before the
Better Homes and Gardens team came for a visit in April...
They had so many layers of paint...I was having a hard time getting through the layers....
I have three of these antique french doors...
Each door has a side that I don't like...
Thad sanded one side of each door.
I wasn't planning on leaving any of the doors natural, however I ended up loving how
this particular door turned out....
It made my husband happy that I loved it natural as well...
I debated on brushing an oil on the door to make the wood tone a little richer...
but decided to just keep it natural.
The other door I painted my new favorite shade of white....
I have always wanted to try this paint and got lucky when I found it at Maison Reve on clearance.
I don't normally paint with a flat paint, I usually use semi gloss,
however Yasmine said I would be happy with the finish...and I do love the finish : )
(I snapped these pictures of the door before I applied a second coat of paint, I was just taking pictures to see if I even liked the two doors together... try to ignore the red string hanging from the door, I had previously had a wreath hanging from the string.)
I recently added another coat of paint and left it alone,
I don't ever distress my furniture after I apply a final coat of paint.
One of the main reasons is....
I do a terrible job of distressing furniture, it always ends up looking like I really did distress it.
I have five kids and animals running through the house,
in about a months time things will become naturally distressed : )
I also think having a mix of paint finishes helps keep my home looking fresh...
Each door can still be used with it's original finish....
The other side of the door I painted white looks like this....
I had posted here about decorating for fall with french farmhouse finds last year using the other side of the door....
For right now
I really just wanted to freshen this area up with doors that had clean surfaces...
I know I will later want to use the sides with chipping paint, so it is fun to be able to change the feeling in the room by just flipping the door around.
On another note....
I wanted to share where I got these straw hats, I bought them at Gap for just a little over 10.00 for the girls.....
On a final note...
I wanted to share a few blogs with you...
Enjoy your week!
Take Care,
Maria
beautiful shots, maria....love the doors!
ReplyDeleteAlways enjoy your gorgeous posts Maria!
ReplyDeleteThey look absolutely beautiful both ways!
ReplyDeletePaula x
you are the sweetest! first - as usual i'm drooling over all of your beauuuutiful photos. second - wow, thank you for sharing my blog on your blog! this makes me feel so warm and fuzzy! xoxo, brittany
ReplyDeleteAlways stunning photography! :)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely lovely post..!
ReplyDeleteThose doors are gorgeous <3
Wishing you a great day Maria!
Mia
Beautiful Maria! Each door unique in its finish...love it! :)
ReplyDeleteWhen I stepped into the showroom, I felt like I was in Provence.
ReplyDeleteThe scent of lavender and the sound of running water from the antique limestone fountain along with the incredible selection of French garden antiques were really impressive. If you are looking for very large garden ornaments, French planters, etc. this is the showroom to visit. A total of 15,000 square feet of the most incredible French garden antiques, French limestone fountains, fireplace mantels and the most selective collection of planters from France with immediate availability. Each piece feels real, the atmosphere is so calming and rural. A true and unique gem to be found in West Palm Beach! Their website is www.authenticprovence.com
Love the pics..always inspiring! Love some vintage wood to mix in with the white.
ReplyDeleteStunning, love them.
ReplyDeleteAlso, just love your blog. Your photography is just amazing, and I enjoy your design style.
Just picked up the Better Homes and Gardens book
New Cottage Style and I can't put it down!
Love your home and everything else in it!
I'm very inspired by your blog.
Stacey
www.downtoearthdigs.wordpress.com
These doors are the best. So many ways in which you can use them, you never tire of them. They really define the look you want to create. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteBye,
Marian
always images are incredible beautiful!
ReplyDeletekisses
Cimara
Love old doors, VIOLA from Sweden :)
ReplyDeleteMaria, I love the doors, both in their natural state and with the beautiful shade of FB paint...really lovely!
ReplyDeleteKat
Hi Maria - I've been using Farrow and Ball paints for years now. I LOVE them. They are more expensive but I like the fact that they are mixed at the factory and use natural ingredients. I have a lot of allergies so I always use F & B when I paint my bedroom. Your doors look great - I have an extra door. I must find a place to use it. J
ReplyDeleteOh I love it!!! You both did an awesome job! I love the Farrow & Ball paints too - they sell them at the Shabby Chic Couture store here in Los Angeles. As for your doors - LOVE them sanded!!! I have a collection of chippy doors in my garage and have debated whether or not to sand them, only because I am afraid they may have lead paint {don't want to disturb it}...but yours sanded down looks so fresh! I may have to try it. Thank you for your constant inspiration!
ReplyDeleteXO's,
Jessie
Beautiful doors and beautiful pics!
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Sweden!
Regina
So Beautiful (with a capital B)
ReplyDeleteAnd So Inspiring!!!!!!!!
I love your blog
Liefs
from Holland
Lia
Oh how beautiful!!! I also love old doors!
ReplyDeleteMaria, yours was the first blog I ever read and no wonder I keep coming back. Just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteFiona xx
Totaly love it!!You are very good!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm a big fan of decorating with doors, too!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the BH&G gig, too!
XO,
Anne
Maria,
ReplyDeleteLove those old doors.I have to contain myself from buying too many!Love those hats too!
xx
Anne
Beautiful photos, lovely doors:)
ReplyDeleteLol, when you said you don't ever distress furniture, I immediately knew why...I have 6 kiddos ;) It's beautiful Maria!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Marcia
Hi sweet Maria,
ReplyDeleteLove those vintage doors!! Who would have ever thought we'd all be so crazy for old doors. My husband use to think I was nutty, but now he loves them too.
Hope your doing well and have a beautiful night!!
Sincerely,
Melinda
I adore your photography. Its simply gorgeous. I'm truly amaze by each and every pictures that you capture.
ReplyDeleteGreat!! everything is so inspiring ... so chic!
ReplyDeleteCiao da Roma!!
Silvia
very nice on Your blog ;)
ReplyDeleteLooking at your beautiful decorating and photos brings me such an inner calmness. The French doors look incredible Maria! You are right - that is a gorgeous shade of white. I love how it all looks together - the natural wood, the F&B white paint, and your super lovely pearl grey walls... All flows so nicely. You need to release a nice big coffee table book - your look is so distinguished and all your own that inspires many. I hope you are having a great day.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Lara
They look gorgeous both ways! But my fav is the natural door!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!!!!
ReplyDeleteFrench doors can be ordered with a single solid panel of glass, or they may be constructed with multiple glass panels, which are incorporated into the frame.
ReplyDeleteMaria YOU are so talented!*!*!
ReplyDeleteJust LoVE the **ChiPPy-White** Side of the Door BeSt!!!
Jeanine Burkhardt
I adore your doors, perfect to be able to use them two ways. I love using doors for decor and dressing them up in different ways.
ReplyDeleteThe doors are beautiful! Love your pretty photos.
ReplyDeleteArundel Eccentrics here...we live in the Uk and go regularly to France...I just love your blog and how you have captured the essence of a beautiful country....I dip in and out of your blog regularly..love the photographs by the way...have a great day... Brenda Nassarian
ReplyDeletesuch lovely doors!
ReplyDeleteQuelle porte sono così belle, le adoro fin dal primo momento che le ho viste. Sei magica in tutto ciò che fai. Un saluto affettuoso dall'Italia
ReplyDeleteSimona
Hi Maria,
ReplyDeleteI love the door that Thad sanded for you. Both doors are beautiful. I have painted my walls with the Farrow and Ball Pointing. I do love their paint even though it can be expensive. I would love to find some old doors for display.
I'm a fairly recent follower and love it all! best ~ Laurel
ReplyDeleteThe doors like amazing Maria. And I have to give you a hand - seeing the first two photos, I'd imagine it is quite the chore keeping all of that white, well, white!
ReplyDeleteKudos to your work of art, Maria! It's good to see that people like you still admire old and used doors. With the white paint that you used, it gave the door that simple and purely vintage look. Its overall aesthetic will totally attract passionate antique collectors.
ReplyDeleteOh they look sooo good. I like the finish and natural together its funky.
ReplyDeleteLove those doors!!!
ReplyDeleteYou've doubled your display options this way - I just love the new look on these doors. Old doors are so fabulous, and they look perfect in your home.
ReplyDeleteHi Maria! Stunning pictures of your lovely home, I just adore your decorating style.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice day :-)
Regards/ Paula
Hi there! I have been visiting at your beautiful blog for several times. It´s funny how we think about christmas in summer time:) Your doors are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI just started my blog if you want to have a look.
Have a nice weekend!
Your blog is so inspiring.
ReplyDeleteMy garden is complete and we will began remodeling our "project" house this Fall.
Our old farmhouse has been lost in a 80's remodel and a 90's addition. We are going to bring back the farmhouse!
Love the new Cottage Style book from Better Homes and Gardens.
Stacey
www.downtoearthdigs.wordpress.com
Absolutely stunning! Love it, love your blog and your beautiful photography!
ReplyDeleteWill visit you soon again,
Reagrds, Judita
These are such beautiful doors and decoration. Must give this a try! Thx for sharing this wonderful idea :)
ReplyDeleteMaria, I've just discovered your lovely blog this evening. Looking forward to scrolling down through more of your posts and have added you to my blog roll on my side bar. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI love whites and your post just makes me fall in love with it even more. I love the photos and your blog. Thanks for posting.
ReplyDeleteGoodmorning Maria,
ReplyDeleteFinally I'm back ...sorry for the long long silence...I hope you are fine!!!
Your blog it's even better than I remember!
love
gaia
It's great that you've decided to open a shop! Just look how great your pieces are! Creativity does go a very long way... Keep it up and good luck! ;)
ReplyDeleteWhite has always been a classic color for doors. Cottage-styled homes are usually the kinds of homes that have white front doors. But the aspect that makes white special is that it represents so many beautiful things such as purity, serenity, and virtue. When you go beyond the color, you will realize that it means so much more than what you see at first. :)
ReplyDelete[Sharron Folkes]
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI so love your photos!! :D I fell in love with your doors! I agree with Sharon. White does represent so many beautiful things; it gives a tone of purity and spirituality. It says a lot about a place, and it is often the first statement we see when we go to that place.
ReplyDeleteYou have an eye in capturing great scenes from simple moments. You really have talent! ;) I agree with Sharron and Danielle that white does represent purity, and doors carry the first impression that other people will have about your home. It might mean that the essence of your passion shouts purity and serenity – a mark that clearly shows in your photos.
ReplyDeleteKeven Sumrell
One concern with using a double French door as a patio door is that they make it easier for someone to break in, because both doors pivot and can be more easily forced open. Modern enhancements have therefore introduced three-point locking, where one of the doors has a slide lock that secures it to the floor and the top of the door jamb as well as a locking knob.
ReplyDeleteYour blog is one of the best in door remodeling. Thumbs up for that.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this nice post it reminds me the good story of my grandma about Interior Glass Doors. Thanks!
ReplyDelete