Wednesday, December 30, 2009

An Awesome French Door Makeover

I am so glad I saved theses old door knobs. Not knowing what I would do with them, but knew I could NOT throw them out, and today was the day they got used!

I have never been happy with the french doors that were in our house, they were cheap looking and the windows were always dirty, the grids made them impossible to clean. So yesterday while I was off visiting blogland, I saw a door that totally gave me a great idea! I immediately got to work! I took my doors appart and began painting!
I pained the glass panes with Rustoleum chalkboard paint, 2 coats on each side. Let dry thoroughly!
Then I sanded down the faux wood grain, just to rough it up, and added a coat of Rustoleum espresso spray paint. Once dry I sanded down the edges for a worn, old look.

These were the frames around the wood grid, I just took the grid parts out, spray painted with Rustoleum Heirloom white, sanded, painted again, sanded, then glazed with Ralph Lauren smoke glaze.I was having trouble with the original cheap plastic door knobs, I tried painting them, but they just were not turning out, and then I remembered the old hardware in the garage....
They were exactly what I needed to finish the look of the doors! I got them all put together and this is the finished look! This is the back side...
And here is the front! My kids are so excited to be able to draw on them!


I did spray the existing hinges red just for a little hint of color, (Rustoleum colonial red) they are hung right off of my kitchen which has 2 red walls and lots of red accents!


I could not be happier with how they turned out, and my hubby is super happy with the price...$0. I had everything I needed at home!

20 comments:

Sarah {The Student Knitter} said...

man I love those projects! Congrats on a great make over :)

Unknown said...

Wow, turned out great! You got a new look, the kids got something fun and hubby didn't have to pay a dime. Everybody is happy!

Nancy

Young Wife said...

How cool! They look great.

Funky Junk Interiors said...

COOLEST french doors I've ever laid eyes on! I LOVE the use of the old hardware and the funkyness colour factor. BRAVO, girl!

Donna

Missy said...

Wonderful redo!!! You've giving me some great ideas....

Stephanie Lynn @Under the Table and Dreaming said...

Fabulous transformation! Love the hardware too! Job well done and you can't beat that price! Thanks for sharing - Happy New Year!

inadvertent farmer said...

That rocks! Love the unique twist on the typical french doors...great job, kim

Steph @ somewhatsimple said...

wow!!! and no more leaning fingerprints off the glass! i love this idea!

Michelle Hughes said...

Looks fantastic! I really like the red hinges.... it adds that extra something and makes it look really vintage.

Smiles~ Michelle

Trish @TheOldPostRoad said...

Great job! Love the hardware!
-Trish

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

That is an amazing transformation! I love the idea of the chalkboard paint on the glass!

Free Art Printables said...

I love it! They really add to the doors!

Kathy said...

Don't you just love french doors? My parents moved their 100 year old doors with them when they moved from our old family home to Tennessee. They made the new house seem like home!
Happy New Year...Kathy

Tammy said...

How very cool. And how very cooler that it was free.
Great job.
tammy

Charity said...

I love these, I am itching to use chalk board paint som where in my house. This just makes me want it more. THANKS FOR INSPIRING ME.

Kirsty said...

So great!

Elisa said...

Haha...that is great...nice to see someone using those old doorknobs. Our house was built in 1920 so we have PLENTY of those and most of them actually still work!

Rachel said...

WOW!!!! My jaw is still on the floor. :)

Unknown said...

Thanks Everyone! They are so much better that what they were before, and the kids are loving the chalkboard! Elisa, if you ever get rid of the old door knobs and face plates, feel free to send them my way! :)

Elder Esplin said...

Wow, what cool stuff to have around the house. Great Job!