I didn't realize the extent of my obsession with doors until I started writing for the site, but after a few door articles and countless images saved in my inspiration file I think it's time to declare myself an addict. Doors are one of the most overlooked elements of a room, especially in a rental, but given special treatment they can transform a space.
• When it comes to dramatic impact, black and white stripes are hard to beat. We've discussed them for hallways, powder rooms, floor coverings, and now it's time for doors. The bold combination is ideal for space expanses, like doors, to deliver a lot of drama without overwhelming the senses. In this application, using a reserved palette for the other furnishings— raw wood, black, and white— lends the pattern a sophisticated feel whereas using the stripes in a room full of saturated bright colors would only increase the mad hatter vibe.
• Ugly, builder's special grade sliding doors can bring down a room, but adding a patterned paper lends them a mural type appeal. I love Melissa Warner's vibrant closet doors, featured in House Beautiful. The paper is Osborne & Little's Hothouse in Arizona.
• I keep coming back to this image in my inspiration file for its quirkiness. I love how the door's stand out feature is that it blends right in.
More on doors:
The Patterned Painted Door (and a how-to)
How To Create An Orla Kiely Inspired Door
Bookcase Doors From Apartment Therapy and Beyond
Don't Forget About The Doors
Style Your Door: Makeover Your Door In One Fell Swoop
Images: 1: B&B Italia via Space For Inspiration, 2: House Beautiful, 3: Living Etc.



Comments (10)
Interesting. The very first thing I did when I bought my small NYC pied a terre in the 1980's (long since sold at a loss, boo-hoo!) was change out the doors on the closet and bedroom. I faux painted the bedroom door so it looked like mahogany, too. And you're correct: it made a huge impact!
Doors are extremely important in feng shui. The entry door is called The Mouth of Ch'i (energy) where all opportunities enter the space.
Which door should you have painted to avoid buying in the 80s then selling at a loss?
Who cares about the door or that other guy's finances?
Check out the chair and the Pong pic on the wall.
Can someone identify the chair in the first picture?
Since that photo is from B&B Italia, I'm going to go with... B&B Italia.
And, hey, Leah, a therapist would have a field day with an obsession with doors... then the three you show are designed to disappear.
:)
I love the chair in the first photo. It is the most comfortable chair ever. It is B&B Italia - - Maxalto. The collection is Kalos Apta. I can't remember the price. It's either a 4 or and 8 and that could be one or the pair. I also don't remember whether I saw the price in Euros or USD. Regardless, it is stunning!
Also - Ochre has a similar chair, not quite as beautiful but not quite as expensive.
liked the doorthat continues the wall very interesting to simply continue the room.
I can't figure out if I like this or not. It looks great at the Biltmore house and in the first picture. But for a more "normal" space, I'm not sure...