Autumn is upon us, and you know what that means: outdoor painting season. September and October are optimal months for outdoor painting because they're among the driest warm weather months, after April showers, summer heat and August thunderstorms have all gone by. And what could be more delightful than transforming the exteriors of dear friends and former clients?
For my first project, we took a plain white door with a plastic kick plate and tried to bring it up a notch with a sexy dark color. The decision was between red or green, then which red, and finally whether or not the the frame should be white or red as well.
We alighted upon Wine Red from Fine Paints of Europe, which looked almost brown or rust-colored in the can, but has this delicious claret tone once up and dry. Incidentally, this is one place where I insist upon oil paint.
Coincidentally, I simultaneously had another client with a request for a red door, this one in the interior of a loft (shown at left). Here, the solution was Rembrandt Red, also from Fine Paints. It is slightly cleaner and brighter.
Images: 1,2:Mark Chamberlain; 3: Holly Chase Foran
Must-See Small Cool Homes: Week Two
Beth's Romantic & Retro Residence
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Shaw's Original Fir...
How to Make Easy 3-Ingredient Energy Bars at Home
How To Cook Tender, Chewy Wheat Berries on the Stovetop
LOVE that red! We also have a red door, but not such a nice color. Great idea....
I used to love red doors, but now in my old age I tend to lean toward natural stained wood.
I do still like it on a white/black/grey toned house.
Definitely a lot better! I love the red and gold.
I think it looks great! Had to wonder if the before was in b&w, but can see that it wasn't. Great job!
Love the red door. I think I would have also toned down the side panel a bit with a soft gray to blend with the stone.
Tell us more about Fine Paints of Europe - why do you like this brand? Is it the palette?
I should forecast weather. My bet was on a cranberry red - haha! Except that I would have painted the entire entryway red, not only the right side.
LOVE the red door. Wish I could paint my door, but that's not so much an option in my apartment. Boo.
I changed the color of my door (white to black, not red). It is amazing what a difference just changing the color made to the look of both the house and the door itself. I intended this to be an interim step until we could upgrade the door. Now, I love it...
Hi, can you share what you used to make the gold metal bottom part of the (first red) door pls? I think it really makes the door pop and more sophisticated. Thanks :)
that's a brass kick plate, custom from Simon's Hardware, as are the numbers.
i can go on at length about FPE next week. or review past articles under this byline.