This isn’t a very exciting post but seeing how we are knee deep in packing over here I figured I’d show you the new paint color we chose for Jason’s front door. Below you can see the bright red that is was to start with. (Sorry for the blurry cell phone picture that I took from the car – it’s the only one I could find with the door painted red still).
First I removed all of the hardware from the door. I started taking it off and then my dad drove by and helped by finishing while I started painting the door. Although we did have primer from the kitchen cabinets I decided to skip that step and just paint the door. I gave it two coats and was pleased with the coverage. I may add a third one when I am up there this summer but seeing how we have a TON of other projects that are much higher up on my list, if it doesn’t really need it then I won’t bother.
As you can see from the photo above the previous owners did not remove the hardware when they painted it red so there was red paint all over the lock and handle. Even though we would have preferred replacing the hardware with oil rubbed bronze, we decided to save money and keep the original hardware. If this were the only project we were doing we would have gone ahead and replaced the hardware but with the entire house needing a lot of work we are trying to reuse whatever we are able to. Last spring I painted the hardware on my
parents hutch to give them the oil-rubbed bronze look and I may do that at some point with this. In order to clean up the existing hardware, my brother-in-law, Josh, brought over some of the stuff below for us to spray on the hardware. (Sorry, again these are iPhone pics taken late at night. I do most of these types of projects when the girls are in bed.)
I forgot to take a before shot of the handle but here it was after it had been sprayed and had been sitting there for a couple of hours. With just a little bit of scraping I was extremely impressed with how easily the red paint came off.
Yes, the lock part is shaped like a heart. Very masculine. Jason’s favorite part – haha!
Although the red came off easily there was a lot of “patina” left but I like that better than a bright brassy look, anyway.
And there it is. Jason’s new door!
*Paint Color – Templeton Gray – Benjamin Moore’s Exterior Paint in a Low Lustre Finish
This was good practice for me seeing how one of the projects I plan on tackling at our new house will be painting the front door and shutters. I hope you all are having a wonderful week!
The door looks great!
I love your blog and really appreciate all the info you so generously share…including the paint stripping agent for the door hardware.
Would you happen to know the name (manufacturer, type and color)of the roofing shingles that show above the door in the last picture above? They are beautiful! Thank you.
Thank you so much! I don't know the name or other info on the shingles but I do know that they were replaced not that long ago and already need to be replaced again so not probably something you would want. =( I will try to ask Jason if he knows the color though!
The new color looks great, I actually thought it was more of a teal blue than gray, but it does look very masculine nonetheless. I wouldn't recommend spray painting hardware that will be outdoors, as the weather (weather hot or cold) will make it peel off…just thought I'd share something I learned the hard way. Good luck with the packing.
Thanks, Kristel! And good to know! I know someone who did it on their door handles indoors and also already has it peeling off too just a year later (which was part of why I didn't do it yet). I was hoping with some research I might be able to find something that would hold up better but so far I haven't seen anything yet. =(
While I normally love red doors, I have to say that it looked too harsh — and the grey looks MUCH better. You did a great job!
The new colour looks great, so much better than the red. I'm really enjoying seeing the updates on Jason's house!…xv
http://vickiarcher.com
Beautiful! I love the color and the way the hardware turned out. I hope Jason is paying you well. 😉
Nice job! I love the color, although my front door is red, lol!
There are some beautiful red doors out there! I wish I had a better picture of this one though – it was a really orangey (don't think that's a word – haha) red. =(
I discovered your blog through Romantic Homes. Congrats an being featured in this great magazine. I love your blog and am reading it bit by bit. I especially love your porch ideas. You did great things with your townhouse, so I can't wait to see what you accomplish in your new home. Lots of luck with your move. Sue
PS your children are beautiful!
Thank you, Sue!
I discovered your blog through Romantic Homes. Congrats an being featured in this great magazine. I love your blog and am reading it bit by bit. I especially love your porch ideas. You did great things with your townhouse, so I can't wait to see what you accomplish in your new home. Lots of luck with your move. Sue
PS your children are beautiful!
Fabulous new color. Also, that heart-shaped lock really made me giggle. Hilarious!
Haha – it kind of makes me giggle too every time I think about it being on Jason's front door.
I love this color! I loved the red door too! Haha
http://basicallybrandy.blogspot.com/
There are some beautiful red doors out there! I wish I had a better picture of this one though – it was a really orangey red. =(
I think that the red door looked good to begin with, but against the white siding, it did look too harsh. Gray is definitely a better complement for the house. And I also have to agree with you about how the hardware looks. I like how the “patina” gave it a rustic look that goes really well with the new door color. Great job!
Aside from grey, a darker shade of blue will also look good on your door. Anyway, I think your character has something to do with your choice of color. Just like your previous door color, it is striking but not overwhelming. At the end of the day, beauty is still in the eye of the beholder. Go for the color that will satisfy your senses.
Jason must've been thankful to you after the simple makeover you've done on his front door. Red is actually a color that goes perfectly with doors. But hey, time to give it a different shade this time! Trying out a different color is exciting and queasy at the same time since you're not quite used to it. But with the way it went, I'm sure that Jason is very happy after seeing how wonderful it is. Thanks to you! 🙂
Roselia Mangione @ All County Exteriors