Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Antique French Doors and a New Favorite White Paint


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

62 comments:

Between You and Me said...

beautiful shots, maria....love the doors!

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

Always enjoy your gorgeous posts Maria!

Paula said...

They look absolutely beautiful both ways!
Paula x

brittanyMakes said...

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

Rachel Noelle Pallas said...

Always stunning photography! :)

Lilla Blanka said...

Absolutely lovely post..!
Those doors are gorgeous <3

Wishing you a great day Maria!
Mia

Victoria Hayden said...

Beautiful Maria! Each door unique in its finish...love it! :)

Unknown said...

When I stepped into the showroom, I felt like I was in Provence.
The 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

flowerlady464 said...

Love the pics..always inspiring! Love some vintage wood to mix in with the white.

Anonymous said...

Stunning, love them.
Also, 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

flowersandhome said...

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!
Bye,
Marian

Divina Chita Brasil said...

always images are incredible beautiful!
kisses
Cimara

Viola said...

Love old doors, VIOLA from Sweden :)

Low Tide High Style said...

Maria, I love the doors, both in their natural state and with the beautiful shade of FB paint...really lovely!

Kat

Julie said...

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

A Cozy Cottage in the City said...

Oh 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!


XO's,
Jessie

Vitt hus med svarta knutar said...

Beautiful doors and beautiful pics!

Greetings from Sweden!
Regina

House of Seasons said...

So Beautiful (with a capital B)
And So Inspiring!!!!!!!!
I love your blog
Liefs
from Holland
Lia

Pieni Lintu said...

Oh how beautiful!!! I also love old doors!

Fiona, Lilyfield Life said...

Maria, yours was the first blog I ever read and no wonder I keep coming back. Just beautiful.
Fiona xx

ChristinaD said...

Totaly love it!!You are very good!!!

Anne Lorys said...

I'm a big fan of decorating with doors, too!

Congrats on the BH&G gig, too!

XO,
Anne

Anne said...

Maria,
Love those old doors.I have to contain myself from buying too many!Love those hats too!
xx
Anne

bella celestial said...

Beautiful photos, lovely doors:)

Simple Home said...

Lol, when you said you don't ever distress furniture, I immediately knew why...I have 6 kiddos ;) It's beautiful Maria!
Blessings,
Marcia

Anonymous said...

Hi sweet Maria,
Love 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

home and land packages Mandurah said...

I adore your photography. Its simply gorgeous. I'm truly amaze by each and every pictures that you capture.

Silvia Shabby Chic Joy said...

Great!! everything is so inspiring ... so chic!
Ciao da Roma!!

Silvia

Jo said...

very nice on Your blog ;)

Lara said...

Looking 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.
Hugs,
Lara

StyleLinx said...

They look gorgeous both ways! But my fav is the natural door!

VINTAGELINE said...

Beautiful!!!!

August Windows said...

French 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.

ChiPPy-SHaBBy said...

Maria YOU are so talented!*!*!
Just LoVE the **ChiPPy-White** Side of the Door BeSt!!!
Jeanine Burkhardt

Unknown said...

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.

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

The doors are beautiful! Love your pretty photos.

Brenda Nassarian said...

Arundel 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

faye said...

such lovely doors!

Unknown said...

Quelle 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
Simona

Lana @whatsthestorymorninglory said...

Hi Maria,
I 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.

Laurel said...

I'm a fairly recent follower and love it all! best ~ Laurel

Daniel Stoller said...

The 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!

Ronald Miller said...

Kudos 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.

Sistergirl said...

Oh they look sooo good. I like the finish and natural together its funky.

RealtyqueenTO said...

Love those doors!!!

Susan EvelynAndRose said...

You'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.

LOPPISLIV said...

Hi Maria! Stunning pictures of your lovely home, I just adore your decorating style.

Have a nice day :-)
Regards/ Paula

Suvi said...

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.
I just started my blog if you want to have a look.
Have a nice weekend!

Anonymous said...

Your blog is so inspiring.
My 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

Välkommen Hem! said...

Absolutely stunning! Love it, love your blog and your beautiful photography!
Will visit you soon again,
Reagrds, Judita

How2home said...

These are such beautiful doors and decoration. Must give this a try! Thx for sharing this wonderful idea :)

Sarah said...

Maria, 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!

marian said...

I 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.

Gaia said...

Goodmorning Maria,
Finally 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

Izzonet Shopping Cart Solution said...

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! ;)

Anonymous said...

White 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. :)

[Sharron Folkes]

Danielle Bailey said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Danielle Bailey said...

I 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.

Unknown said...

You 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.

Keven Sumrell

Double Glazing Warwick said...

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.

Glass Doors said...

Your blog is one of the best in door remodeling. Thumbs up for that.

Milliscent Morgan said...

Thanks for this nice post it reminds me the good story of my grandma about Interior Glass Doors. Thanks!