This will be a short post, but I wanted to share the front door make over. Ever since we moved in, I’ve been dreaming of banishing the orange wood and dirty burgundy to make way for a lovely red front door. And now it’s finally happening! Still work to go on the exterior frame around the door, but the door itself is done.
The front door before and afters
What a change! I love a high gloss paint finish, especially for areas that take a lot of wear and tear, like doors and trims. The new brings out the red in the little kookaburra windows beautifully. I also like that it breaks up the white in the hall. All my other doors are white, which gives a sense of spaciousness and cohesion. But this red creates a focal point with the front door which I love. Leaning into the unexpected red theory, in a really classic way.
There is really nothing like a coat of paint! It’s hard to believe this hallway used to be so dark and dirty. A fresh coat of paint has made a world of difference. If in doubt, paint it! Don’t be afraid of bold colours either. If you take the time to chose the right shade for your room, and think about how it ties in, you can incorporate colour without things getting out of hand.
What I used and how I did it.
I started by giving the door a good sand and using Spakfiller in gaps and nail holes. Once that was dry, re-sanded and cleaned, it was time to prime. Two coats of Taubman’s primer did the trick. You don’t want to skip this step on unpainted wood, or you’ll get tannins leaching into your paint and yellowing the finish. It also helps the paint bond more strongly, so you’re less likely to get nicks and chips.
I sanded between primer coats for a smooth finish. Wet wood can raise tiny fibres, which roughen the surface. You don’t want to sand too harshly, or you’ll remove the primer. Just a light buff to smooth down those fibres.
I finished off with four coats of Dulux Aquanamel in Red Box. As in, postbox red. It’s a cheery, bright red that doesn’t lean too orange. I’d love to get a new letterbox in the same shade, once we are at the point of rescuing our current brown rust-bucket from the tree that threatens to engulf it every few months.
Bold paint colours do need extra coats, so bear that in mind when you’re planning for these types of jobs. I did have to run to Bunnings for another tin when I realised my 2L can wasn’t going to cut it.
This is really a part one of three reno job. I still have the exterior side of the door to paint, as well as the door frame itself. I’ll be working on these progressively over the next few weeks. Given we’re heading for the cold months, I don’t want to push it too far, as that would mean keeping the door open for longer. Breaking it up will allow more drying time and less open door time.
Stay tuned for future door updates! I’m hoping to create a matching door for our laundry in time which I think will look amazing with the same tiles as our bathroom. One step at a time!
