architect design™: My black doors

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?

39 comments:

Kerry Steele- Design du Monde said...: This is on my list too. I love the look.; January 14, 2013 at 6:08 AM
M. Denise C. said...: Beautiful! And inspiring!; January 14, 2013 at 6:37 AM
Carol said...: 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!; January 14, 2013 at 7:16 AM
pve design said...: I approve!~ Thumbs UP!
pve; January 14, 2013 at 8:33 AM
The Devoted Classicist said...: While not for every situation, it appears to work here. Congratulations on your success.; January 14, 2013 at 8:43 AM
Terry said...: They look rather un-shiny. Is that right? I like it. What paint? What color?; January 14, 2013 at 9:07 AM
ArchitectDesign™ said...: 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.; January 14, 2013 at 9:27 AM
Nick Angiolillo said...: 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).; January 14, 2013 at 10:21 AM
Mark D. Ruffner said...: 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!; January 14, 2013 at 10:30 AM
Paisley Curtain said...: Approve, approve, you have put us into trouble now. It is very tempting :); January 14, 2013 at 11:01 AM
DAM said...: 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?; January 14, 2013 at 11:26 AM
ArchitectDesign™ said...: 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.; January 14, 2013 at 11:36 AM
ArchitectDesign™ said...: Be careful to not scrape the metal, but only the paint -as it will scratch!; January 14, 2013 at 11:36 AM
Pigtown*Design said...: Well done, you!; January 14, 2013 at 12:17 PM
home before dark said...: 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.; January 14, 2013 at 12:41 PM
David said...: 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.; January 14, 2013 at 12:53 PM
ArchitectDesign™ said...: David, YES -I can't say enough good things about this paint. I'll never use anything else again!; January 14, 2013 at 12:55 PM
Deana Sidney said...: 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.; January 14, 2013 at 8:27 PM
Anonymous said...: The doors and the hardware look fantastic!!; January 14, 2013 at 10:39 PM
Daniel Shigo said...: 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!; January 15, 2013 at 12:34 AM
M.A. the 2nd ~ Frances Russell said...: 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; January 15, 2013 at 12:48 AM
Unknown said...: YES!!! love it! BRAVO!; January 15, 2013 at 10:08 AM
Paul Gervais de Bédée said...: As you might have guessed, this sure works for me!; January 15, 2013 at 3:54 PM
Anonymous said...: Beautiful!! I love it. I'm still contempating my black living room...this might be just the impetus I need.; January 15, 2013 at 3:55 PM
Reggie Darling said...: 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; January 15, 2013 at 5:41 PM
Divine Theatre said...: I have not painted mine black yet...soon!
This makes me want to gasp for air, it is so beautiful!

xo

Andie; January 16, 2013 at 9:53 AM
Lisa Borgnes Giramonti said...: It looks SOOOOO great! You must be over the moon happy. Such glamour! xxx; January 16, 2013 at 11:11 PM
Virginia Country House said...: Fantastic! N.G.; January 17, 2013 at 7:04 PM
Grant K. Gibson said...: Well you know what I think...
LOVE!

Grant
grantkgibson.com; January 18, 2013 at 4:01 PM
Ron said...: 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; January 20, 2013 at 4:09 PM
thomas said...: i approve! i love a black painted door. excellent job.; January 22, 2013 at 10:24 PM
Leah Moss said...: 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; January 24, 2013 at 1:15 PM
Maricela Milum said...: 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!; January 24, 2013 at 4:26 PM
DC by Design said...: 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.; February 7, 2013 at 6:53 AM
Anonymous said...: I did the same. Best decision I ever made.; February 12, 2013 at 5:09 PM
Lord Cowell said...: Black and Gold - timeless. I love it.; February 26, 2013 at 4:12 PM
Giuroiu A said...: 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.; February 28, 2013 at 9:39 AM
Ann said...: Oh c'est chic! Love how the new place is coming along!; March 10, 2013 at 4:25 AM
A Perfect Gray said...: oh yeah! door looks great black. I'm trying to get my nerve up to do the same! donna; March 22, 2013 at 11:35 AM