So my advice to anyone with a white/boring/dull front door–why not paint it? If you are going to use high gloss paint, leave 90 minutes in between coats at least. If you are itching for a red front door (how could you not?) plan on lots of coats–but also count on a big pay off.
Speaking of pay, this whole project definitely cost more than we anticipated because we bought a new front door, but here’s the rundown just in case you are planning on tackling your own door soon:
Front door: $197
1 quart of high gloss exterior Behr paint in Bijou Red: $12
4 new house numbers: $5.99 each
(these first three items I had a 10% off coupon for–score!)
New doormat: $6.97
Grand total: $200.47 (plus tax)
…and worth every penny in my opinion. What do YOU think?
What do you think?
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I love it….but 11 coats…wow. I am actually thinking of a plum for my front door.
Thanks for sharing and inspiring.
Your new door would have looked great in any color – but the red is stunning! I linked to your post on my own red door story here: http://cherrybubbins.blogspot.com/2011/09/red-door-adventures.html
:o)
I just used straight brush. So glad I did it!!
I LOVE it! Did you use a combination brush/roller? Also, someone told me I have to prime my door…Um, NO! I will not be doing that. WAAAAAAY to much work! The pop of color looks fabulous. Aren’t you glad you did it?!
Thanks and welcome aboard! So glad you found us!
You have a new fan from germany….
I love the red door ,it feels like a bit of alice to wonderland,
big greetings
Just stumbled over from YHL and have to say I love the red door. It really pops in the overall exterior shot!
Thanks so much, Brenda! You are so sweet. I just used a regular 2 inch Purdy brush, but in retrospect, I would recommend a small roller for extra smooth finish and then go over it with a brush. I think that would be a little easier than all that brushing! Hope it helps. I would love to see pictures when you get ‘er done.
I just loved your door and im planning on buying and painting the same one! same color! what kind of brush did you use?
Beautiful house…Nice place…All are fantastic.
Roman shades concord, ca
Just stumbled over from YHL and have to say I love the red door. It really pops in the overall exterior shot!
Thanks Pamela! We are pretty smitten with the piano, too. All of those details you can right here: http://chrislovesjulia.blogspot.com/2011/06/baby-number-2.html
I just found your post from YHL & love your red door! As a side note…the white piano is to die for! Details please. :) Love!!
Love the door you chose with the windows up top. The colors is great, too.
Just popping over from Remodelaholic.
YAY!!! I said this on the Remodelaholic site and now I can say it here!!!
SHUT THE FRONT DOOR! This is fantastic! It makes your home look bright and wonderful! you did a GREAT job! :)
The red door turned out to be amazing. Such a lovely detail to the whole house. Great job.
Fallen for your blog so I am def following and maybe youll visit me one day too. =)
thebookness.blogspot.com
One Little Mustard Seed-
Home Depot! If you click on “Front Door” in the budget break down, it will take you directly to our door. We were floored at the price as well!
Diapers and Divas (Lani)-
Thanks for the tip. A tinted primer would have been a life saver. Surprisingly, I only used about 2/3 of a quart–but still. 11 coats is enough to make anyone shed tears, right?
-Jules
WOW this looks so great!!! Red is a Bleep to paint….but a tip when going from white to any darker color is to first use a tinted primer. You can even ask the paint dudes to tint it pinkish so the red goes on in fewer coats. I did a buffet in a peacock blue and I also shed those tears when I realized I had to do yet ANOTHER coat. :) I’m DYING to paint my front door…but my HOA won’t let me…wah! I’ll just live vicariously through yours!!Great job!!
-Lani
Hi, love your door!! Where did you buy such a beautiful door so cheaply??
Love it! The funny part is that I saw your post on the Behr site and recognized the door right away!
The front door (and numbers and mat) look great! I love the color you chose. It really changes the way your house looks!
Sooo beautiful! Totally worth the money!
That makes such a great difference!
Cute blog, girl! Love it.
love it!
great choice of colour and new door!
cheryl xox.
Megan,
You joke!!! That’s craziness. Door Bffs for life.
-Jules
Oh, and just for fun, I considered Lemongrass for the front door but went with Bijou Red. It’s like we are front-door-paint-pickin’- BFF’s!
Ginger (aka my mom),
Well, mom. Chris is MEGA cool. Hahaha. Thanks! I don’t even want to know what the dingy white door made us look like.
-Jules
I can tell from the red door that someone cool lives here
It’s super cute!! It’s totally worth it. I, luckily, already had a navy blue door so it only took two coats of the paint+primer. I love your new door!! I would love to replace my door with a door like yours. Time to save my little pennies! Thanks for sharing with me!
I love the red! The style of the door is reallllly cute too! You did a great job!
Usgrahams,
I can see how white would be refreshing coming from a dark forest green. Paint is such an easy refresher, it’s hard to get stuck on just one color for too long.
-Jules
That looks great!! We recently went from Forest Green to White and though I’m doubting it’ll be permanent it’s nice having a nice clean (hopefully for a while) door!
I envy you and your red door!
Yes, it really says: Designer that knows a thing or two lives here.