The Language of Doors. Part I

{From The Home Within Us by Bobby McAlpine}

"I don’t see houses as objects. If you go by a big-columned classical house, and the primary emotion it evokes in you is ownership—wouldn’t it be great to own that—that’s one thing. But if you go past a house, and your primary instinct is how wonderful it must be to be behind that window, then I promise you that was a house conceived with the intimacy of its interior as its primary driving force.” a quote from Bobby McAlpine in an article entitled "The Poet of Place" by Logan Ward from Garden and Gun Magazine. Read more here. I have always admired Bobby McAlpine's architecture and now, with his new book, I understand more about how his philosophies on life inspire his work.

{ local Winston-Salem historic home}

The owner of this charming front door is an artist, historian, antique-lover and architectural preservationist. He told me one time that everything in the house is either period to the house or handmade by local craftsman that use traditional processes and antique tools.  We are fortunate to live in Winston-Salem, the home of Old Salem, affording us access to craftsman that learned from the originals. This house is currently listed for sale.

{local cottage in Winston-Salem that I adore}

 An American flag is a charming accent for any front door.

{image and quote below via Elle Decor}

“Traditionally, a red front door symbolizes good luck and financial abundance,” says Jayme Barrett, author of Feng Shui Your Life. And if nothing else, we think a red door shows cheer and confidence.

More advise from decorator Suzanne Tucker via House Beautiful's 500+ Favorite Paint Colors ~

"I wanted to draw people to the front door like bees to a flower, and this luscious red did the trick. The color has such clarity. It's like the most kissable lips. The quality of the high gloss in this particular brand of Dutch enamels is fantastic, and they also wear like iron. It's like the best manicure you've ever had." She recommends Tulip Red 1001 from the Fine Paints of Europe.

Personality! Congratulations on a great "sparky" front door color choice! A great way to add pizazz to the standard issue brick, cape cod {an architectural style I have always adored}

{door image via Farrow and Ball; Farrow and Ball "chinese blue"}

{Home in the Hamptons, Laura Day of Trading Spaces via Lonny Magazine}

{a local friend's door; Farrow and Ball "pale powder"}

{image via Dovecote Decor, a local Winston-Salem blog}

{a local friend's front door ~ Southern charm via Georgian brick}

Here's more advise on selecting the best paint color for your front door from a decorator I admire, Pheobe Howard {from House Beautiful's 500+ Favorite Paint Colors} "Dark green is a traditional Southern color that looks wonderful on the front doors of brick houses with white trim. This green is almost black, but when the sun hits it you can clearly see the green. It's the color of a spruce tree. I'd do it in high gloss, super thick, like those beautiful Georgian front doors you see in England with a round brass doorknob right in the center." Phoebe Howard recommends Farrow & Ball "carriage green 94"

{decorator Miles Redd's beautiful front door via Domino}

{front porch photo via Coastal Living; Farrow & Ball coastal color palette}

{image via Blue Hydrangea from new blogger, Julie, of Milk and Honey}

I adore these painted house numbers!

{photo via Farrow and Ball}

I have always wanted a dutch door!

If you haven't noticed, blue is my favorite color. It makes me smile!

{image via HB 500+ Favorite Paint Colors}

{front door in Provence}

{front door in south west London}

{image via Country Homes & Interiors, January 2010}

{images via here}

The apple linen shades are an interesting and attractive solution to providing privacy to the entrance hall given that so many little feet traverse past the front door in the wee hours!

{image via here}

The photo above is a good example of "thinking outside of the box." Don't always go with predictable. The pink door above is a brilliant choice.

{image via here}

{photo via One Kings Lane}

In my opinion, the best decoration you can have on your front porch is a dog!

{photo via One Kings Lane}

or better yet, two dogs!

Home Sweet Home!

What does my front door say about me?

How about now?

I hope this post has inspired you to "speak" through your front door.

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