• 1. Originally, I had plans to add raised trim to give the drab door the illusion of more architectural character, but while scrolling through the beloved and famed Chez Larsson blog I re-discovered Benita's old orange square trellis doors and immediately sprung into action. 
The square trellis in an incredibly easy pattern to accomplish with painters tape. It's bascially a series of overlapping squares. I used the 3/4 inch variety, but for a bolder large scale pattern the 1.5 inch width tape would have looked fabulous.
While I liked Benita's idea, I knew I wanted something a bit more subtle, so I primed, painted the door a bright cool-toned semigloss white, then used leftover flat aqua wall paint (BenMoore's Barely Teal mixed in their self-priming Aura line) for the top coat. From the front it has a subtle tone on tone appearance, but from the side view there is a nice contrast between the semi-gloss and the flat paints.
I'm still on a hunt for the perfect door handle to complete the transformation, but the painted pattern has made what was once a big embarrassment into a visually pleasing but not overpowering focal point— a step up from the lackluster contractor's special.
• 2. This is a glimpse of the doors that started it all. You can check out our full post on Benita's work complete with a full how-to here, but also be sure to see her own stunning photos here &mdash along with a sneak peak into her pristinely organizied closets.
• 3. After painting my door, I found these beautifully painted closet doors that reminded me of a more complex take on the greek key. This pattern could easily be accomplished with 3/8 inch painter's tape as well.
• 4. This impressive door scape by Wary Meyers is a little too loud for my taste, but definitely admirable.
Patterned or plain, what's your preference for drab hollow core doors?
(Images: 1: Leah Moss, 2: Chez Larsson, 3: via Haven and Home, 4: Wary Meyers)
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add an old glass doorknob or a ceramic aqua one
Look!
WestElm Doors!
The door looks great. I've got a blah cabinet that I've wanted to prettify... thanks for the idea!
What a beautiful improvement. I agree on either a glass or ceramic door knob to replace the existing one.
I'm looking to do something similar with my lone ugly hollowcore door. I have a solution for the doorknob, if you don't want to replace it right away. I too am cursed with brass door handles and I sprayed them and all of the offensive hardware with white appliance spraypaint and they turned out fantastic. They look factory-finish quality and have not chipped at all.
I don't think you're supposed to paint flat over gloss. But maybe I'm wrong. Looks great though! I'm inspired to do something similar.
Hmmm... I'm intrigued. Very nice results, and now I'm wondering how I would/could do this in my own house. Thanks for sharing.
A-A-Amazing!
I like the grey/blue painted door - it's pretty and neutral enough not to overwhelm the area.
Thanks for your comments.
Bozotown- re: your concern, the flat paint that I used over the semigloss is a self-priming, super adhesive paint. So far so good, it's been about 2 months since I completed the project with no signs of chipping. I LOVE BenMoore's aura paint, it stays put in any finish even with lots of scrubbing.
I loves me some Aura, and I love that pattern. The room I did here had so many closets, that it was practically a wall of doors, and I painted them to look like one continuous pattern:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/artycurtis/sets/72157600170975527/
And that was all with the flat finish of Aura.
what about the other side of the door? it it painted the same or different? if different, how does it look when the door is open?
Love it! I'm about to move rentals and am not sure if I'll be allowed to paint. I like the way the unfinished pattern in painter's tape loooks and wonder if I can find some kind of tape that will come off to make a more modern door (like image 2)
But for your door, I immediately thought of a old glass doorknob.
cherrybomb - for now, the inside of the door (which leads into a bathroom) is painted plain semi-gloss white. I have a few stylistic decisions to make in the bathroom before I decide on what to do to the door. It's rarely ever open because it takes up too much real estate in the narrow room.
I feel your pain, Leah. This is a smart, thrifty idea and you did a super job! I manage to get my mind around a lot, choosing to work with what I've got rather than get my panties in a knot, but hollow core doors just will never ring my bell.
Ahh this door looks awesome. Great pattern too. :D
I wouldn't do that cause I change of ideas quickly and get bored of things quickly. Therefore I just covered my door... only on the outside with gift wrap paper since the door is already painted and all I don't want to mess that up.
check my Damask Door hope you like the idea.
I'm on vacation next week. I plan to decorate. These doors in this same color would really make the three doors in my entry way look special. Might do it.