Monday, January 14, 2013

My black doors

 This weekend I crossed something off my bucket list; I painted my interior doors black!
While I was at it I removed all of the brass and glass hardware and took off  90 years worth of grime, stray paint, and tarnish. While I like the brass to have patina it wasn't in the best shape. Besides, brass ages quickly so I anticipate it to be shiny for only about a month.
Previously the doors were painted the same white as the trim.  I love the new contrast between the black doors and crisp door casing (attained by using blue painters tape as you can see above -what did we do before this stuff?).  What do you think; approve?
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39 comments:

  1. Kerry Steele- Design du MondeJanuary 14, 2013 at 6:08 AM

    This is on my list too. I love the look.

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  2. M. Denise C.January 14, 2013 at 6:37 AM

    Beautiful! And inspiring!

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  3. CarolJanuary 14, 2013 at 7:16 AM

    Heartily approve. I have similar hardware and doors (house built 1923) and I don't know if I have the guts but you've given me some food for thought!

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  4. pve designJanuary 14, 2013 at 8:33 AM

    I approve!~ Thumbs UP!
    pve

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  5. The Devoted ClassicistJanuary 14, 2013 at 8:43 AM

    While not for every situation, it appears to work here. Congratulations on your success.

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  6. TerryJanuary 14, 2013 at 9:07 AM

    They look rather un-shiny. Is that right? I like it. What paint? What color?

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  7. ArchitectDesign™January 14, 2013 at 9:27 AM

    Terry, I forgot the most important details! I used a semi-gloss paint because the doors weren't in the best shape and glossy would bring out the imperfections. They're 85 years old afterall! The paint is this amazing new stuff from Sherwin Williams - Emerald line. The paint is like titanium -it's amazing stuff. I figured it could hold up to a lot of wear. The color is Tricorn Black.

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  8. Nick AngiolilloJanuary 14, 2013 at 10:21 AM

    How funny! I did the same thing this weekend. The effect is quick and dramatic. We used a high gloss black from Benjamin Moore on ours. Yours look fantastic and the hardware really shines (literally and figuratively).

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  9. Mark D. RuffnerJanuary 14, 2013 at 10:30 AM

    Hi, Stefan - You mention that you like the contrast between the door and the casing, but I think the contrast between the door and flooring is just as effective. Nice job!

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  10. Paisley CurtainJanuary 14, 2013 at 11:01 AM

    Approve, approve, you have put us into trouble now. It is very tempting :)

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  11. DAMJanuary 14, 2013 at 11:26 AM

    Love. Did the same thing at the Condo when we renovated this year. Now we are onto a new house with dark stain doors that were painted over, but now chipping so will be cleaning things up....

    What did you do to get the hardware so sparkling and new?

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  12. ArchitectDesign™January 14, 2013 at 11:36 AM

    Southern Gent, I removed the hardware, carefully and gently scraped off the layers of paint on them with a tiny screw driver then just used elbow grease and Wright's brass polish.

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  13. ArchitectDesign™January 14, 2013 at 11:36 AM

    Be careful to not scrape the metal, but only the paint -as it will scratch!

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  14. Pigtown*DesignJanuary 14, 2013 at 12:17 PM

    Well done, you!

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  15. home before darkJanuary 14, 2013 at 12:41 PM

    You're ahead of me, but I going black, too. Several winters ago, I took my painted doors down to bare wood (it was a hideous project. Can't say enough about Festool's sanders and dust containment system). I'm going glossy, BMoore's new Advance similar to your SW paint...and yes, new glass knobs are waiting (have been in waiting for several years now).

    Your apartment gives me hope and confirms I've made a good choice. BTW, regarding blue tape, I used it last weekend to tape down a cheesecake I made so it would not slide around as I drove it across town! The new duct tape, I'd say.

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  16. DavidJanuary 14, 2013 at 12:53 PM

    I like it a lot. I'm also glad to hear a good review of the Emerald paint. I've always used their Cashmere but wondered about the Emerald. I'll give it a go next paint project.

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  17. ArchitectDesign™January 14, 2013 at 12:55 PM

    David, YES -I can't say enough good things about this paint. I'll never use anything else again!

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  18. Deana SidneyJanuary 14, 2013 at 8:27 PM

    Love black doors, well dark doors in general. My particular bucket list has those great mahogany doors with big lush light moldings like I've seen in grand 19thc houses. It is elegant to have a dark door isn't it?
    2 thumbs up on yours... the bright brass and crystal is fab with it.

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  19. AnonymousJanuary 14, 2013 at 10:39 PM

    The doors and the hardware look fantastic!!

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  20. Daniel ShigoJanuary 15, 2013 at 12:34 AM

    I have similar doors, and have thought about doing the same, but have a blog black piano and a black kitchen armoire within viewing distance of each other. A matter of context? This post is really tempting me to do the same. Your doors and beautiful! Thank you for the inspiration!

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  21. M.A. the 2nd ~ Frances RussellJanuary 15, 2013 at 12:48 AM

    I think the doors look fantastic and I have always wanted to design a kitchen with black cabinetry and chrome hardware and a sleek marble top. I also am thinking of painting my front door gloss lacquer black as we have an antique white colonial. Beautiful job, love it!
    best wishes
    Frances

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  22. UnknownJanuary 15, 2013 at 10:08 AM

    YES!!! love it! BRAVO!

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  23. Paul Gervais de BédéeJanuary 15, 2013 at 3:54 PM

    As you might have guessed, this sure works for me!

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  24. AnonymousJanuary 15, 2013 at 3:55 PM

    Beautiful!! I love it. I'm still contempating my black living room...this might be just the impetus I need.









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  25. Reggie DarlingJanuary 15, 2013 at 5:41 PM

    I love this! What an improvement, and oh so chic! I've dreamt of having our doors grained mahagony, but at $1,000+ per door, I've not been able to bring myself to bite the bullet. Your black door is very elegant, and I'm pleased you cleaned the hardware rather than replacing it! Reggie

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  26. Divine TheatreJanuary 16, 2013 at 9:53 AM

    I have not painted mine black yet...soon!
    This makes me want to gasp for air, it is so beautiful!

    xo

    Andie

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  27. Lisa Borgnes GiramontiJanuary 16, 2013 at 11:11 PM

    It looks SOOOOO great! You must be over the moon happy. Such glamour! xxx

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  28. Virginia Country HouseJanuary 17, 2013 at 7:04 PM

    Fantastic! N.G.

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  29. Grant K. GibsonJanuary 18, 2013 at 4:01 PM

    Well you know what I think...
    LOVE!

    Grant
    grantkgibson.com

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  30. RonJanuary 20, 2013 at 4:09 PM

    Yes, yes. Wonderful. I live in a midcentury ranch and we are putting down black bamboo manufactured floor. I will do our boring flat room doors in black and leave the trim and walls white. Brilliant

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  31. thomasJanuary 22, 2013 at 10:24 PM

    i approve! i love a black painted door. excellent job.

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  32. Leah MossJanuary 24, 2013 at 1:15 PM

    gorgeous! I've been wanting to do this too in my own home, but go back and forth. Yours look so good. And your new place, love the glimpse

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  33. Maricela MilumJanuary 24, 2013 at 4:26 PM

    You’ve totally done a perfect job on that makeover! I love how the black doors stand out among the interiors in your home. Plus, the sparkling diamond-like doorknob is so fab! Kudos for this great improvement!

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  34. DC by DesignFebruary 7, 2013 at 6:53 AM

    I LOVE what you did! So dramatic. I'm currently paralyzed by my upstairs hall -- dreadfully bored with the color but unable to think of an alternative, ugh! This is good inspiration.

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  35. AnonymousFebruary 12, 2013 at 5:09 PM

    I did the same. Best decision I ever made.

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  36. Lord CowellFebruary 26, 2013 at 4:12 PM

    Black and Gold - timeless. I love it.

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  37. Giuroiu AFebruary 28, 2013 at 9:39 AM

    I approve 100% top notch stuff, but the door nob it`s too much for me to be honest, beside that, the apparel is perfect for me.

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  38. AnnMarch 10, 2013 at 4:25 AM

    Oh c'est chic! Love how the new place is coming along!

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  39. A Perfect GrayMarch 22, 2013 at 11:35 AM

    oh yeah! door looks great black. I'm trying to get my nerve up to do the same! donna

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