I was looking at all the fall decor out in bloggyland and I kept seeing front doors painted with a dark paint. Now I know this trend is nothing new but I suddenly decided I must try it! I’m quite brave reckless when it comes to decorating so I very quickly went to town and picked up the paint and a foam roller. We’d had warm summery weather all September so I was certain it would stay nice until I got my door finished . . . wrong. Monday morning a fog rolled in, temperatures plummeted and a slight drizzle of rain proceeded to fall. Well, I thought – if I’m going to do this I have to do it now or our weather may even get worse. The door is under an overhang – what could go wrong?
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| . . . is this kale just not the most gorgeous shade of green? and oh, so autumn (y)! |
Well, I started to roll the paint on and to make a long story short – what a mess! This foam roller was not cooperating – it seemed to slip and slide all over and the paint was going on all streaky – it looked terrible. So I got out a brush (don’t use a brush) and started to paint with it and I could see streaks and splotches and areas that had too much paint and areas that had too little. OMG – what am I going to do? I decided I was going to have to let this first coat dry and then see what I could do about it – but not before I actually rubbed some paint off with a rag – can you believe that? The next morning I rushed back into town and went to a specialty paint store for advice. Apparently the paint I was using was OK but some people (me) can’t use foam rollers and he proceeded to give me a tiny plush roller. Thank goodness – it worked. After a couple of restless nights spent worrying that my door was going to be a mess all winter, I managed to get another coat on and have proclaimed that “I can live with that!” Whew. If warmer weather returns I will give it another coat, but for now – it’s good enough. After I added some plants and twigs and pumpkins and wreaths I felt a whole lot better. My door is dressed and ready for Thanksgiving (in Canada, it’s this week-end).
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| . . . you see? it looks OK! |
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| . . . yes!! . . . |
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| . . . my dusty miller is still thriving . . . |
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| . . . how can you go wrong with cute pumpkins and mums . . . |
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| . . . a sparkly ribbon on a bright wreath . . . |
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| . . . what? |
I forgot to mention that during all this a squirrel decided it was going to take some of the cardboard I had used to protect the deck and make a bed in the woodpile.
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| . . . I don’t think so . . . |
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| . . . you get outta here . . . |
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| . . . now! |
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| . . . aaack . . . |
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| . . . what a horrid start . . . |
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| . . . autumn leaves are calming . . . |
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| . . . so are flowers . . . |
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| . . . and all’s well that ends well . . . |
Door/Outdoor Link Party at Southern Hospitality
Gorgeous!!!! really great job… I have to admit i’m a little envious of your style.. :)
Be still my heart. It’s FABULOUS!!!!!!
Jo
I think it’s waaaay better than okay. I think it’s beautiful. Your photos are fabulous. Your wreath is beautiful. So happy to have found your gorgeous blog.
blessings, Amy
The door is beautiful! LOVE the squirril story and photos.
The door turned out fantastic! Great job. :)
It looks wonderful Barb! The way you have decorated your door area is fantastic, inspirational.
It looks great!!!!!
cute little rascally squirrel, and i love the color of your door with the white trim. beautiful!
It looks like you’re ready for fall. So many around here decorate for Halloween and Thanksgiving, but I don’t have a creative bone in my body. Love your look.
Looks fantastic, even with your squirrel helper ;)
I love the branches in the urn and the dusty miller contrast nicely with everything, great job!
Your new door color and porch decorations are gorgeous. And I love the squirrel story.
Such a cute squirrel.
I love the color of your door. Such an inviting front porch.
What do you mean O.K?! it’s not only o.k. …it’s totally gorgeous! I love the whole show..a great job. Thank you for they story and the great photos.Do you paint it seasonally?
Well, I am impressed! Looks great! Can I hire you?
You are amazing! I love them all each and every one!
Lovely decorations. I can relate to your door experience. I love the look of a painted door, but I’ve never been able to paint one without botching up the job in the end. Great job.
I enjoyed your post but I love the squirrel…gorgeous shots! :))
I do love your door and the decorations – they look so cosy and inviting! Great job:)
Have a nice afternoon!
Your door looks great with new paint and colourful decorations! Nice post.
What a beautiful, welcoming entryway! LOVE it! The Dusty Miller and mums are perfect together! Just wonderful!
You made me laugh! Great story, and your door looks fabulous!
Beautiful Autumn decorations, your porch and door look wonderful. Cute shot of the squirrel. Great photos and post.
You’re hired!!!
I love, love, love it! I have to admit…my blood pressure rose a little at the beginning of this story. But you pulled it off so beautifully. Now, my blood pressure is fine but I’m really jealous!!! lol
I just love your decorating…your style…your wonderful attention to detail!
What a great story — glad there’s a happy ending! Your work is gorgeous and you are so talented in many areas: painting, decorating, photography (and squirrel hunting)…
Barb I love your Autumn spread. Your door turned out perfect. I’m inspired to work on my front porch.
I love this. Such gorgeous shots!!
Wonderful post today … so attracted to those leaves on the pavement.
That turned out great! I like the contrast. I have to say though, I was getting a little nervous about the whole thing :)
You really have a way of making fall look even more incredibly beautiful than it already is. My favorite is all the different color little leaves on the pavement. But they are all such beautiful shots!
Love these! The door looks really great in that darker colour, I’m a sucker for dark coloured doors (and decorating!).
That squirrel reminds me of some of the ones we have around here too, so bold :)
Thanks for linking up with the Shades of Autumn Photo Challenge.
http://www.bumblesandlight.com
This is my first time here and WOWZA do I love it.
I’m your new follower.
Alita
GREAT shots, chica
Our front door so needs to be painted! I think I’ll start with a plush roller!
Such beautiful photos with all these lovely fall colors and soothing tones! Your door is gorgeous!
All your brilliant photos in this post is making me dizzy! Truly, so lovely. And love the way your door turned out – it looks like it was worth the stress, you’ve chosen a great colour and the way you’ve ‘dressed’ the surrounding area is beautiful.
looks great!
great set of photos!
Wow, great process series. I love the new door color, nice and bold.
Not only are you a talented photographer, you are a DIY magician! Lovely work and your decorations are beautiful.
Omg, there’s so much to love here. I missed the squirrel the first time (gee, I’m so unobservant tonight). And I love love love your door. I painted mine red!
I LOVE it! :) Looks awesome.
very wonderful shots! thanks for sharing and for visiting too in my blog.
Love the purples and greens in that first shot. Very Autumn-y!
happy thanksgiving to you! the green, purples and oranges are just screaming Autumn is upon us. Your door came out wonderful.
What an amazing collection of photos! Thanks so much for joining us in the Shades of Autumn Photo Challenge. I hope you’ll be back again on Friday. Our new theme will be yellow. :) Have a great day.
Wow…I’m finally getting around to reading your posts. The door looks wonderful. I have a black front door that needs a coat of paint. I’ve been putting it off for months. Needless to say, I think I’ll wait until spring. Wonderful, wonderful photos & story!
Your new front door color is wonderful! It is all very pretty! Thank you for joining me for the HSH Fall Open House!
Sherry
and fabulous is looks too…I actually prefer it in the darker shade…adds a bit of classiness to the door ;o)
hugs
hello gorgeous xxx