![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9PQMuYZMydOactUAExtX1MHvt6RPXHsK-Kq3CRKphjZPuP9K_ZlgYisTuKCCQ83nWfrioARJhbZ04O927mjIY-Ml7AFYyPNnKDJiCXnuNrr4Si3DS3BJxxbg1fWODkKx0uEteyO5bjAis/s400/porch-door-knocker.jpg)
I'm loving designer Keller Donovan's front porch makeover in House Beautiful. His ideas are universally applicable and easily replicated.
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The first thing he did was take off the screen door. "I don't believe in screen doors on the front of a house. They always open out, and I just don't think it's welcoming to have a door shoved in your face as you're trying to get in," he says. Then he painted the house a nice beige (Sail Cloth by Benjamin Moore) and the front door Black Forest Green (also by Ben Moore).
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He replaced a small, overhead lantern with a pair of over-sized lanterns from Home Depot.
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New hardware on the door -- including a pretty ring-shaped knocker -- makes it shine. I bought paint for our front door yesterday, and we're shopping for new lanterns (and a drill bit that will work on the stripped screws holding the screen door to the house!), and I'll definitely be taking Keller's advice:
"Some people might think the lanterns are hung too low, but they're the same people who always hang pictures too high. I like a sconce down near your face. Conventional wisdom says it should be 68 inches from the middle of the fixture to the floor, but I'd still eyeball it.
I went for the "lifetime finish" on the brass hardware. Who has time to polish?
I chose a mail slot instead of a mailbox, because I can go away and the mail is all safe and sound and dry inside the house. Nobody sees it piling up.
Even a door can use a little jewelry, like a door knocker. This simple ring couldn't be more classic. Don't all the sexiest girls have hoop earrings?
A wrought-iron railing should be dark, not light. Forget the white paint."
Photos by Michael Price for House Beautiful
7 comments:
wow, this looks like a whole new house. i am trying to pick a new color for our door. we have strict HOA so it's making it hard. I do want a knocker just like that though.
Here's an idea. You can do a post on trim exterior paints with natural brick houses. Every time I try to find some ideas for paint colors for the trim, shutters and front door for our house (non painted brick) I can only find examples of houses that have siding or painted brick. It is hard to get some good ideas if you are not wanting to paint your brick. I want more options than white trim and a black door and shutters. Typical colonial color palate. Any thoughts or ideas in your inspiration file??
wow- love the transformation. can't wait to see yours.
Beautiful. I actually used sail cloth in my house. I love the color. I also love the idea of getting rid of the screen door. I hate mine! It looks so pretty and totally different.
I love this house. It's in my hometown and I posted on Donovan a while back. He's great! Love the post.
love the close up of the door knocker...great inspiration!
What a great before and after, I love the new black door, it makes the house look totally different
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